Aurat Foundation in collaboration with Sindh Human Rights Commission and Action Aid conducted a dialogue on ‘Promotion of Laws on Eradicating Child Marriages and Violence Against Women in Sindh’, on 9 December 2015, at Hotel Mehran Karachi. The session’s main aim was to discuss the implementation of already passed pro-women laws regarding child marriage and domestic violence, rules of business and the problems faced pertaining to the implementation of these laws.

Ms. Rubina Brohi and Ms. Fareeda Tahir, Program Officers AF, conducted the dialogue. Speakers included Ms. Anis Haroon, Member NCHR & Board Member of AF, Justice (R) Majida Razvi, Chairperson SHRC, Ms. Saira Shahlani, MPA-PPP, Ms. Rana Ansar, MPA-MQM, Mr. Aslam Sheikh, Law Secretary, Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director AF, Ms. Mussrat Jabeen, Deputy Director WDD, Ms. Riaz Fatima, Deputy Director Social Welfare, and Ms. Rukhsana Siddiqui, Program Officer WAR; and AF staff also attended the event.

Ms. Rubina Brohi gave a general introduction of the program and its main agenda behind the various members meeting together to discuss the importance of implementing these bills properly to ensure the security of women in the society. Ms. Mahnaz Rehman gave an overview of Sindh laws on child marriage and domestic violence. Justice (R) Majida Rizvi focused on gaps and loopholes left during drafting of different bills.

Mr Aslam Sheikh, Secretary Law’ focused on the role of NGOs, social activists, police department and government to achieve the goal of equal rights for women and preserving their dignity and security in the society. Ms. Ruksana further highlighted the various problems and issues still faced in dealing with cases of child marriages and domestic violence. Ms. Saira Shahliani emphasized on the role of Parliamentarians in passing the bills and appreciated the efforts of Aurat Foundation and various NGOs. Ms. Anis Haroon, descriptively highlighted the role of media, police, government and NGOs in playing a part in giving awareness to the local people about the laws passed regarding domestic violence and child marriages.

Ms. Farida Tahir, Program Officer., AF, adjourned the dialogue on a vote of thanks together with a general outline of the important laws and recommendations discussed.

A group of AF staff and volunteers from other civil society organizations distributed IEC materials containing standees and posters amongst different police stations at the federal capital, as a part of 16 Days of Activism Campaign. The IEC material was developed through ‘Policy Advocacy & Capacity Development’ project where AF conducts trainings and carry out different advocacy and lobbying campaigns for a gender-based violence (GBV) free society in ICT, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.  During the trainings with police and other response institutions officials, the need of IEC materials was realized which were later also demanded by the National Police Bureau (NPB).

AF staff comprised of Ms. Farkhanda Aurangzib, Director Communication & Resource Mobilization, Ms. Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy & EVAW, Mr. Muhammad Ullah, M&E Officer, Mr. Waqas Abdul Qadir, Program Assistant, Ms. Shumaila Jan, Admin Officer and Ms. Hira Khalid, HR Officer, while Mr. Kashif Ali from Rozan and Ms. Shazia from Aizan Development Foundation and two young volunteers Mr. Talha and Mr. Ibrar Hussain also supported in the distribution of IEC materials.

Aurat Foundation conducted a meeting regarding the draft of Acid and Crime Bill with Sindh Women Parliamentary Caucus (SWPC) and Deputy Secretary Ms. Shehla Raza on 16 December 2015 at Sindh Assembly. Seven other women MPAs and two men MPAs were also present during the discourse.

The committee was made aware of the previously made draft on Acid and Crime Bill which was thoroughly discussed with the members of media, NGOs, law officials and parliamentarians. The committee was convinced to view a presentation of the amended Bill and discuss the propositions in detail together with further recommendations. The need of all the crucial members and MPAs from all the parties was realized for the approval and amendment of the draft. Therefore, a unanimous date of 22nd December was decided for a consultation meeting of all the MPAs to view the draft of the Bill. During the course of the afternoon, emphasis was laid on the ROBs of Domestic Violence Act and Child Marriage Act.

Aurat Foundation has already submitted the ROBs regarding these Bills but the approval of the CM is still pending. A detailed discussion on the approval of the ROBs from CM followed together with a discussion on the importance of implementation of these Bills. These Bills are made to ensure the safety and security of women in the society. Thereafter, the ROBs are as important concerning the situation of women in the present society. Ms. Shehla Raza assured the committee of her support and assistance with the approval of ROBs and the ‘Acid and Crime Bill’.

  AF team A, comprising Mr Atif, Mr Ahmed Sadiq, Ms Anis Fatima and Ms Mahnaz Rahman, visited 20+ polling stations in Gulshen-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Firdaus Colony, Garden, Soldier Bazar and Saddar. Polling process went on smoothly everywhere except at the places where polling staff could not reach or where in single rooms many booths had been set up. In Firdaus colony at the Mumtaz Government Boys School, polling staff had demanded 12 rooms in order to set up two polling stations but they were given only 8 rooms. In some schools of Nazimabad, only one ballot box was provided for both green and white ballot papers while in Gulshen-e-Iqbal booths, there were two separate boxes for green and white ballot papers. In our observations, only at one polling station a woman tried to cast her vote twice but the polling agent of other party caught her and foiled her attempt. She left the polling station after some heated arguments between the men of her and other parties. At some places we found printing discrepancy in ballot papers. In big buildings of schools voters were wandering from one floor to other to find their polling booth. At some booths, there was shortage of stamp pads and at some places they got inadequate number of ballot boxes. In Riaz Girls College, we saw a woman presiding officer in male voters booth while in some other schools one male presiding officer was sitting with a female officer in women’s booth. At one place booths of women and men were merged together and because of the absence of female polling staff, the women voters were really having a tough time to enter the polling booth as men voters were not giving them any space. AF team had to make great effort to create space for women voters with the help of two policemen who were on duty there.

“ Yes, there is one problem, I had to come here to cast vote in this old age” said a witty grey haired man coming out of White House Grammer School Gulshen-e-Iqbal, when I asked him whether he had confronted any problems during polling.

In Falcon House polling station, Gulshen-e-Iqbal polling started at 8.40 am and by 9.00 am 15 votes had been cast. In one of the ladies booth in this school, polling process could not start as the female polling staff had not reached on time. Only one old male officer was juggling with the polling agents and female voters. One young female voter told me that she had been waiting for her turn since 7.45 am. I made a phone call to an officer of election commission and he told me to go to Urdu Science university and register my complaint with the staff of election commission.

In Merit & Merit school, the process of polling was going on smoothly, same was the case in Hashmat School. Then we reached Urdu Science university, here the polling was going on smoothly too but we could not find any officer of election commission who could resolve the issue of absence of polling staff in one of the ladies polling booth in Falcon house school.

In Liaquatabad, we visited St. Micheal School, Riaz govt: girls college and Govt: major Ziauddin memorial School. In Nazimabad, our team visited six polling stations before visiting Mumtaz Govt Boys school in Firdaus colony where heated arguments were being exchanged between workers of PPPP & ANP as a woman tried to cast her vote twice. Voters were complaining about the laziness of the polling staff and polling staff was complaining that they had asked for 12 rooms but only eight rooms had been provided.

In Al Zehra Govt. Girls Secondary school of Firdaus colony, 50 votes had been cast by 12.25 p.m. In Haji Mureed Goth UC 44, polling started at 8.05 am i.e., half an hour late. By noon 85 votes had been cast.

In Adamji Science College, UC 15, we found chaos in one booth where they had merged men and women booths into one because of shortage of the staff. Men voters were crowded in front of the door and women in a long queue were squeezed  along the wall. Candidates were desperate: one of them told me that at least a hundred voters had gone back without casting the vote. The candidates also complained about the behavior of the police and demanded that women police should be called. We tried to make space for women voters and I made a phone call to returning officer Syed Mohammaed Ali Shah, whose number was given to me by a candidate. The RO promised to resolve this issue but I knew these were just hollow words so I tried to discipline the voters with the help of two policemen on duty there. We told a media channel about it and their team went with us in that polling booth and recorded the situation.

After that we visited Jublees School in Garden East and Sartaj Bano School of midwifery in Soldier Bazar 3. Then we witnessed a chaotic situation in a city District Govt., school of UC 16. There was no electricity on first floor so all eight polling booths were established in two rooms at ground floor and this delayed the polling process as well. The presiding officer was sitting in a depressed mood. "Rangers have been scolding me, [even] one of the candidate had been scolding me” he lamented. A candidate had slapped one polling officer as well.

After that our team took a round of some schools  in Saddar area. The other team of AF had gone to Landhi and Defense areas and their findings will be incorporated after receiving their report.

Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with STEP, US Embassy, Sight Savers, Serena Hotels, Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, and Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), arranged an event titled ‘Policy Dialogue: Towards a Disability-Inclusive Post-2015 Development Framework’ on 3 December 2015 in Serena Hotel, Islamabad, to mark the International Day of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

The persons with disability (PWD) and their families would be able to get complete information about the facilities available for PWDs through a new Android mobile application — DIVE — launched on Thursday to commemorate the International Day of Persons with  Disability (PWDs). Through this first-ever Android mobile application for PWDs, information regarding the facilities available in both public and private sector such as lists of education and rehabilitation centres, employment opportunities, laws, guidelines for CNIC registration, will become accessible for every disabled citizen of the country.

The application, launched by Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP) with the support of International Foundation of Electoral System (IFES), was unveiled in a policy dialogue on ‘Towards a disability — inclusive post 2015 development framework Pakistan perspective’ organised by the Ministry of Human Rights, Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP), National Commission on the Status of Women, Sight Savers, United States Embassy, National Forum for Women with Disability and Aurat Foundation. Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Human Rights Ashtar Ausaf was the chief guest on the occasion.

The policy dialogue brought together leaders of PWDs, development experts and decision-makers to initiate a process of inclusion of PWDs who are still the uncounted and unheard citizens of the country. Through this dialogue, policy recommendations are formulated for effective and inclusive implementation of international commitments of Pakistan such as UNCRPD and the perspective of the country on inclusive Sustainable Development Goals were shared with wider network of stakeholders.

Ms. Munazza Gilani, Country Director Sightsavers, Mr. Neal Murata,  Cultural Attaché  US Embassy, Ms. Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy & EVAW, Barister Zaffar Ullah Khan Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Human Rights, Mr. Muhammad Hassan Mangi, DG Human Rights, Mr. Atif Sheikh, Mr. Abdullah Abdur Rehman Khan, Manager CSR Telenor Pakistan, Syed Sardar Pirzada, Senior Journalist, Ms. Ayesha Khan, Deputy Manager, Corporate Strategy Serena Hotel,  Mr. Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Law and Justice & Mr. Ole Holtved, Country Director IFES participated in the event.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Mr. Ashtar Ausaf stressed on collaborative effort to empower PWDs. “If a person is disabled. It is actually the disability of society to understand and accommodate that person,” he said. He said the issue is not only that of accessibility of infrastructure but also of the accessibility of our minds. He pointed out that the issue of PWDs should not be parked in the human rights ministry but it must be made part of all policy initiatives of the government. An android application developed for the support of PWDs was also launched on the occasion.

Ministry of Human Rights’ Director General Mr. Muhammad Hassan Mangi said that the International Day for Persons with Disability reminds the government of their constitutional and international commitments. He said that inclusiveness of PWDs ensure in SDGs provide and extraordinary opportunity to implement the national and international commitments. 

Mr. Ole Holtved said that STEP and ISEF are developing information resources for PWDs, opinion-makers and public at large such as through Android applications, material made available of the Pakvoter website and social media platforms and in direct interaction with decision makers and disabled persons and organizations. While talking about inclusive political participation, senior journalist Syed Sardar Peerzada said persons with disability remain unaware of the political situation mainly because Pakistani media is also not disability friendly.

Ms Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy & EVAW, Aurat Foundation, talked about violence against women with disability. She said that the worst they suffer is social isolation and discriminatory social mind-set. “These girls are not taken out of the house and families try to hide them from society as it can create trouble in marrying off other siblings”, she further said.

She said that in most of the cases, the ovaries of girls with disabilities are removed by the family. “This leads to blindness and other complicated health issues,” she said. She said that during census and surveys, people tend to hide their disabled children. They are called with names like ‘langri’, ‘jhali’, ‘Allah log’, ‘pagli’, ‘anni’ etc. “And ‘baichari’ is the most popular word used in front of them.” She lamented the fact that there is no formal mechanism on the government part to record and publish the data of violence acts faced by women in general and PWDs in particular.

National Forum for Women with Disabilities Chief Executive Officer Abia Akram stressed for the need of making sustainable plans for the empowerment of persons with disability especially women. 

A meeting of AAWAZ Provincial Forum (APF) Punjab was organized with Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, senior central leader Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and former Deputy Prime Minister, on 1December, 2015, at his resident. The 21 members delegation of AAWAZ Provincial Forum also included representatives of Mumkin & Alliance against Early Child Marriages.

The objective of policy advocacy and lobbying meeting was to push legislative agenda for women and vulnerability protection for minorities. Participants urged to draw the attention on important long-pending legislations and its effective implantation.

Meeting was moderated by member APF Ms. Amna Ulfat. On behalf of APF, Resident Director Ms Mumtaz Mughal presented following demands:

Enacting Punjab Women Protection Act 2015 (Domestic Violence Bill): Given the high statistics of domestic violence against women and gender based violence, it is vital to have a specific law on domestic violence enacted in order to not just identify domestic violence as a crime, but also to provide support and protection for victims and for the prevention of such offences. Focus on the criminalization of law as opposed to just the response and rehabilitation.

Amendment in the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929: To increase the age of marriage of the girl child; it must be increase from 16 to 18 years. Girls are affected badly and it leads to domestic violence against girls.

Ammendments in Local Government: There is a need to increase in women’s quotas and reserved seats to 33%. Through amendments in PLGA, provision of more space for women in political participation with a minimum of 33% proportion of representation for women,10% for peasants/ labour and 5% for non-Muslims (with gender balance) through reservation of seats in all three tiers of local governments to be filled through party-based and constituency-based direct elections in a joint electorate system. The same principle must be ensured for all sub-committees, boards, commissions at all tiers.

Devaluation of fiscal powers to newly elected councils: Allocation of development funds to the elected Councils and elected representatives should be made through transparent, fair, rights-based and needs-based process. District Finance Award formula should follow for allocation of fund to districts.

Aamendment in the Political Parties Act to ensure 10% party tickets to women on general seats in addition to reserved seats quota.

Personal laws of minorities: Non-Muslim minorities have outdated personal laws which place women in a socially inferior and vulnerable position.

Law on anti-hate speech: There is need to bring legislation on hate speech with effective implementation plan.

Home-based workers: At present, there is no protection to informal workers and home-based workers in the form of a policy and legislation. The issue include recognition and social and labour protection to informal workers and home-based workers in labour laws the agenda at .

Discussion remained focused on above mentioned points. Participants demanded that PMLQ should play their role to push agenda in the assembly and also put on its party manifesto.

Ch. Prevaiz Elahi appreciated and acknowledged the role of civil society. He said that these issues are critical and need continues attention. Appreciating the services of the civil society, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi said raising voice for the rights of women, children, labour, and common man and highlighting discrimination and injustice the society is highly commendable. He said during his tenure as Punjab Chief Minister, provision of free medicines in hospitals, free emergency, free education, free textbooks, and establishment of consumer courts, Child Protection Bureaus, legislation for child beggars, stipend for special children and free pick and drop service and other 172 institutions were established for public welfare and service. He regretfully mentioned that present rulers instead of carrying forward our welfare works closed these down, thus the rulers committed enmity with the common man not with us. He appealed to the civil society to apprise the people that they should cast votes to elect only those who have experience of service. He assured that he and his party will do its best efforts to push forward the civil society agenda.

On the occasion, PML-Q leaders Mian Munir and Ms. Amna Ulfat were also present whereas civil society delegation included Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Resident Director AF, Mr. Salman Abid, Regional Director SPO, Mr. Naeem Malik, National Manger Advocacy SAP-Pk, Ms. Ambreen Fatima, Focal Person AACM, members APF Ms. Fakhra Tehreem, Mr. Amir Sohail, Mr. Rizwan Zaka Gill advocate, Ms. Ume Laila, Ms. Qaisra Ismail, Mr. Iftikhar Mubarak, Ms. Bushra Khaliq, Mr. Samson Salamat, Mr. Tanvir Shahzad, Mr. Abdullah Malik, Mr. Azhar Baloch, Mr. Zubair Yousaf, Ms. Nabeela Shaheen Advocate and others.

Aurat Foundation organized awareness porgramme and seminar on International Day for Person with Disabilities (PWD) in collaboration with Social Welfare Department under Gender Based-Violence project on 1 December 2015, at Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. The activity aimed at developing co-ordination and linkages among public and private sector.
The event was coordinated by Ms. Riaz Fatima, Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh, and Ms. Shireen Khan, Regional Coordinator, Aurat Foundation, Karachi.

Following speakers from public and private sector discussed the above mentioned subject:

Mr. Shariq Ahmed, Secretary, Social Welfare, Department, highlighted the goals of social welfare department, and said that the department for PWD established 17 centers, providing education and vocational training to children / adults with disabilities and presented and approved Bill 2015 from Sindh Assembly on March 2015.

Mr. Ashraf Ali Naqvi, Joint Director Labour Department, said that they are working for the welfare of all workers employed in private sector and also conducting a survey for observance of 2% employment quota reserved for PWD and other details.

Mr. S.M. Nishat, General Secretary, Association for Physically Handicapped (Adults), briefed about the previous co-ordination with Social Welfare Department and activities and programmes running by the concerned i.e. providing education, workshops, variety programmes etc.

Ms. Mahnaz Rehman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundaton, said that they are working with public / private sector and for the betterment of laws.

Mr. Abdul Aleem Lashari, former Director, Social Welfare Department, said that all concerned should work for implementation of United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, (UNCRDP) at all level and National Policy for persons with disability 2002, under the supervision of Provincial Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh, and with the collaboration of all concerned.

Ms. Durre Shahwar, Senior Member, Karachi Chamber of Commerce, briefed about the role of Chamber of Commerce regarding the observance of 2% employment quota reserved for persons with disabilities.
 

The Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Waseela-e-Taleem programme of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was launched, in collaboration with Aurat Foundation, in a grand ceremony on 28 November, 2015, at Makli Stadium, Thatta, Sindh. The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, formally inaugurated the event. The ceremony took place to launch the programme in 27 districts of Pakistan, after the completion of its successful pilot phase.

The launch saw the unveiling of women leaders’ cards. The purpose of the cards is to give WL Leadership identity in the community and to allow these leaders to help resolve cases at BISP local offices and with other stakeholders.

The Waseela-e-Taleem programme is a conditional cash transfer initiative of BISP funded by the UK government and run with technical assistance from the World Bank. BISP is a social mobilisation mechanism to help alleviate poor women, and hence poor families, out of poverty.

The crux on the Waseela-e-Taleem programme is to allow school going children, from families at the bottom end of the poverty line, to receive an education. This programme allows cash initiatives for already existing BISP beneficiaries to enrol and keep their children in school. BISP beneficiaries include the most underprivileged of women in the targeted districts, who receive conditional and unconditional cash transfers from the BISP programme under the Federal Security Network Programme of the Government of Pakistan.

Other dignitaries present at the launch included, Ms. Marvi Memon, Chairperson BISP, Mr. Saleem Ranjha, Secretary BISP, Mr. Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to Pakistan and Dr. Masuma Hasan, President Aurat Foundation. The attendees included over 24,000  BISP beneficiaries.

On this important occasion, Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, President of Pakistan, stated that poverty and illiteracy are the main cases of corruption, crime and extremism in the country. He noted that the promotion of education and addressing poverty alleviation at the grass root levels, could help challenge these ills. Noting the dire facts of how many children in Pakistan were out of school, the President wished that with joint efforts of skilled professionals and the civil society, the problem could be curbed. He further stated that strict monitoring of the programme was necessary so that the school going child could directly benefit from the stipend being received.

The President commended the efforts of Ms. Marvi Memon and her team for their role in the success of BISP and its contribution towards women’s development in the country.  He expressed his wish for the programme to have an eventual outreach, across Pakistan. He also thanked the UK government for their assistance and support in addressing the important issue of education in Pakistan.

Ms. Marvi Memon, MNA and Chairperson of BISP addressed the crowd and stated that the government was committed to promoting education at the grass root levels, understanding that education was the right of every child in the country. She went on to state that “women can play a vital role by sending their children to school and Waseela-e-Taleem programme will provide financial assistance for the purpose.” Ms. Memon expressed her hope for the expansion of the programme throughout the country.

Mr. Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to Pakistan spoke in English, Urdu and Sindhi highlighting the importance the United Kingdom placed on education. He noted that the poorest and most disadvantaged families, should avail this opportunity in education, particularly to educate girls, to better their future.

Dr. Masuma Hasan, President, Board of Governors, Aurat Foundation, gave a brief history as to how the Waseela-e-Taleem programme came into existence. Dr. Hasan proudly highlighted the programme’s outreach, having benefited 1,300,000 women and seeing the enrolment of 850,000 children in school.  She praised the hard work of Aurat Foundation in its effort to help empower women.

Mr. Saleem Ranjha, Secretary BISP, informed those present of the programme’s aim to enrol 2,000,000 children into school by the end of December 2016 and extend this incentive based free education to 50 districts.

Three BISP beneficiaries also spoke at the launch, sharing their positive experiences and significant change to their lives because of the cash stipends received. They further spoke the new found awareness regarding their rights and the right and importance of education, especially education for girls. 

Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organised a study circle on November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.   The study circle was organised on 25 November, 2015, at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad.  Participants included women member of National Assembly, who are also member of Women Parliamentary Caucus, women journalists and representatives of civil society.

Parliamentarians who  attended the study circle included  Dr Fauzia Hameed MQM, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli PML-N, Ms Mussarat Rafique PPPP,  Dr  Shazia Sobia, PPPP, Ms Suraiya Jatui, PPPP, Ms Shahida Rehmani,  PPPP, Ms Shakila Luqman Chaudhry, PML-N, Ms  Shazia Ashfaq, PML-N, Ms Naseema Hafeez  Panezai  PMAP, Ms  Munazzia  Hasan PTI, and former MNA and  member  Council of  Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Samia Raheel Qazi.

The theme for study circle was ‘Significance of 16 Days of Activism and Role of Parliamentarians in Elimination of Violence against Women’. The study circle was intended to highlight the systemic nature of gender based violence that encourages inequality and discrimination and how women parliamentarians can play an effective role in its elimination.

Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA, and member Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) briefed the participants on the significance of 16 days of activism and role of parliamentarians in  elimination of violence against women. She  said that violence  against  women is  not confined  to  any particular political or economic system, but it prevalent in every society in the  world.  A World Health Organization’s report  reveals  that  physical and  sexual violence against  women affects more than  one-third of women globally, she further said.

The  Constitution of  Pakistan  under  Article 25 (2) states that “There  shall be no discrimination on the  basis of sex alone”, however  Article 26 (2) observes that  “Nothing in  clause  (1)  shall prevent  the  state  from making any special  provision for women  and children”. However, the  situation  on ground is different, she said.   

While elaborating the  work of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), a  cross party forum for women parliamentarians, Ms Aurangzeb said the  Caucus has proposed some of the most innovative legislation including the ‘National Commission on  the Status of Women Act 2012, ‘Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill, 2011’, ‘The  Acid Control and  Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010’,  ‘The  Criminal Protection against Harassment of Women at  the  Workplace Act, 2010’,  and ‘The  Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill,  2009’.

Prof Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Director Coordination and Resource  Mobilization, Aurat  Foundation, spoke  on  the significance of  16 Days of  Activism, tracing  its  historical perspective and relating  to  our own social systems related to attitudes of violence prevalent nationally and globally.    

Ms Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy, Aurat Foundation, gave a detailed presentation on the history of ’16 Days of Activism’ and situation of violence in Pakistan during January – June 2015 period. Telling the history of 16 days of activism she said  that  November 25was declared as a day against violence against women by the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia, 18 to 21 July, 1981. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961).

Ms Rabeea Haid,  while giving the figures  of violence  against  women said  that 7 women per day fall  under the category of Murder, Honor killing and suicide, 5 women are kidnapped or abducted per day, 3 women are raped or gang raped  daily, and 1 women face domestic violence every day.

Situation of Violence Against Women (VAW) during January – June 2015 period

 

Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Joint Secretary, Project Management Unit (PMU), National Assembly, talked about  how social attitudes  and  domestic environment  contribute  in  violence against women and its prevalence Pakistan.

Ms Shahida Akhtar  Ali, MNA, concluded  the  study circle. She  paid  tribute to  the  first and only women pilot Marriyum Mukhtar, who died in a  plane crash during  a training flying  session yesterday. 

The 16-days, starting from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women, till  December 10 – International Human Rights Day, were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16-days period also highlights: November 29 – the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1- the World AIDS Day, December 3 – the International Day of Persons with Disability, and December 6 which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The participants agreed on some daunting challenges and recommendations how to resolve  these. The said that  there is a notable  absence of state response and larger framework that needs to strengthen institutional mechanism including gender crime cell,  women caucuses, national policy framework on VAW (internally displaced, disability).  They agreed that  for implementation of laws and criminal justice system for VAW we need  to take male parliamentarians  on board.

Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organised a study circle on November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.   The study circle was organised on 25 November, 2015, at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad.  Participants included women member of National Assembly, who are also member of Women Parliamentary Caucus, women journalists and representatives of civil society.

Parliamentarians who  attended the study circle included  Dr Fauzia Hameed MQM, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli PML-N, Ms Mussarat Rafique PPPP,  Dr  Shazia Sobia, PPPP, Ms Suraiya Jatui, PPPP, Ms Shahida Rehmani,  PPPP, Ms Shakila Luqman Chaudhry, PML-N, Ms  Shazia Ashfaq, PML-N, Ms Naseema Hafeez  Panezai  PMAP, Ms  Munazzia  Hasan PTI, and former MNA and  member  Council of  Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Samia Raheel Qazi.

The theme for study circle was ‘Significance of 16 Days of Activism and Role of Parliamentarians in Elimination of Violence against Women’. The study circle was intended to highlight the systemic nature of gender based violence that encourages inequality and discrimination and how women parliamentarians can play an effective role in its elimination.

Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA, and member Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) briefed the participants on the significance of 16 days of activism and role of parliamentarians in  elimination of violence against women. She  said that violence  against  women is  not confined  to  any particular political or economic system, but it prevalent in every society in the  world.  A World Health Organization’s report  reveals  that  physical and  sexual violence against  women affects more than  one-third of women globally, she further said.

The  Constitution of  Pakistan  under  Article 25 (2) states that “There  shall be no discrimination on the  basis of sex alone”, however  Article 26 (2) observes that  “Nothing in  clause  (1)  shall prevent  the  state  from making any special  provision for women  and children”. However, the  situation  on ground is different, she said.   

While elaborating the  work of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), a  cross party forum for women parliamentarians, Ms Aurangzeb said the  Caucus has proposed some of the most innovative legislation including the ‘National Commission on  the Status of Women Act 2012, ‘Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill, 2011’, ‘The  Acid Control and  Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010’,  ‘The  Criminal Protection against Harassment of Women at  the  Workplace Act, 2010’,  and ‘The  Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill,  2009’.

Prof Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Director Coordination and Resource  Mobilization, Aurat  Foundation, spoke  on  the significance of  16 Days of  Activism, tracing  its  historical perspective and relating  to  our own social systems related to attitudes of violence prevalent nationally and globally.    

Ms Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy, Aurat Foundation, gave a detailed presentation on the history of ’16 Days of Activism’ and situation of violence in Pakistan during January – June 2015 period. Telling the history of 16 days of activism she said  that  November 25was declared as a day against violence against women by the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia, 18 to 21 July, 1981. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961).

Ms Rabeea Haid,  while giving the figures  of violence  against  women said  that 7 women per day fall  under the category of Murder, Honor killing and suicide, 5 women are kidnapped or abducted per day, 3 women are raped or gang raped  daily, and 1 women face domestic violence every day.

Situation of Violence Against Women (VAW) during January – June 2015 period

 

Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Joint Secretary, Project Management Unit (PMU), National Assembly, talked about  how social attitudes  and  domestic environment  contribute  in  violence against women and its prevalence Pakistan.

Ms Shahida Akhtar  Ali, MNA, concluded  the  study circle. She  paid  tribute to  the  first and only women pilot Marriyum Mukhtar, who died in a  plane crash during  a training flying  session yesterday. 

The 16-days, starting from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women, till  December 10 – International Human Rights Day, were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16-days period also highlights: November 29 – the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1- the World AIDS Day, December 3 – the International Day of Persons with Disability, and December 6 which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The participants agreed on some daunting challenges and recommendations how to resolve  these. The said that  there is a notable  absence of state response and larger framework that needs to strengthen institutional mechanism including gender crime cell,  women caucuses, national policy framework on VAW (internally displaced, disability).  They agreed that  for implementation of laws and criminal justice system for VAW we need  to take male parliamentarians  on board.