Effective legislation to prevent domestic violence and sexual offences against women was strongly demanded by thousands of women, men and youth at an event organized by AAWAZ programme run by four major civil society organizations namely Aurat Foundation, SAP-PK, SPO and SUNGI Development Foundation, to mark the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2015, at Quaid-e-Aiwan, F-9 Park, Islamabad.

The event included a panel discussion, resistance poetry, mime and musical programme.  The panelists included Ms Rubina Khalid, member of Senate of Pakistan, Ms Meraj Khan, MPA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, Ms Nusrat Sehr Abbassi, member Sindh Assembly, Ms Tehseen Fawad, MPA from Punjab Assembly, Mr Naeem Mirza, COO Aurat Foundation, and Ms Asma Shirazi, renowned media person.  Ms Feroza Zahra, Manager AAWAZ Programme, Aurat Foundation and Ms Anbreen Ajayb, Gender Specialist from SPO, moderated the event. 

Senator Runina Khalid while addressing the conference said that unless an effective strategy for implementation is devised and put in practice, even the most effective  legislation do not deliver e.g. although there is now an anti-rape law, but when it comes to registering FIR at the police stations and proving evidence, the law becomes un-effective.

Ms Meraj Khan, MPA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, said that immediate legislation to ensure women’s rights, ending violence against women and effective measures for implementation is must to achieve gender equality and justice in society, In response to a question, she said that they are struggling hard to bring a legislation against domestic violence against women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Ms Nusrat Sehr Abbassi, member Sindh Assembly, in her address, said that International Women’s Day is our own day and we shall celebrate it with applause and happy faces.  She said we need to be aware of our rights and the laws and policies which are already there to defend our rights. 

Ms Tehseen Fawad, MPA from Punjab Assembly, also emphasized the need for gender-based legislation and effective measures for their implementation.  She gave commitments that she and her colleagues in the Punjab assembly would enhance their struggle for the passage of the law against domestic violence from the Punjab assembly.

Ms Asma Shirazi, the renowned media person, in her talk emphasized that there is a need to replace and change the terminologies which are discriminatory towards women such as ‘sinf-e-nazuk’, ‘mardana-war’ etc.   She said that a lot of men forward the so-called notion that ‘aurtien aurtoon ke dushman haien’ (women are women’s enemy), and that parents usually say their sons that ‘larrkey rotey  nahien, larkian rote haien’ (boys do  not weep, girls weep).  She said that we must get rid of these terms and concepts from media, syllabus and daily lives.  She suggested that a chapter shall be include in school syllabus on Malala’s struggle for girls’ education.

Mr Naeem Mirza, COO, Aurat Foundation, said that men earn claim that they earn and bring money, but the fact is that this money is converted into care economy where women do rest of the whole labour from making bread, curry, making and pressing clothes, rearing children, a whole set of labour, hard work is done by women.  He further said and appealed to men that they must stop starring at women which has been now declared a crime as sexual harassment.

Mr Haris Khalique and Aliya Mirza, renowned poets and human rights activists recited their resistance poems. Later, a mime depicting women’s struggle was  presented by Ms Huma Naz Group and resistance songs were sung by ‘GAO, SUNO BADO Campaign’ lead by Ali Aftab Saeed Group.

The celebrations concluded with the adoption of a Charter of Demands on women’s rights which the participants passed unanimously. The charter of demand urged the federal government and the governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces should legislate against domestic violence and declare it crime in law.

The charter further demanded that in order to stop child marriages and forced marriages effective legislation and strategy must be ensured; for immediate solution of local issues and development works, the local government must be restored immediately, representation of women, farmers, labourers and minorities must be ensured and political parties must include their women party workers in decision making and provide  required resources for enhancing their political consciousness and leadership qualities. 

The charter also demanded that the parliament, through an amendment in Political Parties Order, 2002, reserve at least 10% quota for women on general  seats in general elections.  It also demanded that ‘thana culture’ should be changed so  that its environment becomes friendly and respectful for citizens particularly women citizens.  Women police stations must be empowered and women should be appointed as ‘Muharar’ in each police station.

Aurat Foundation held a two-day capacity building training under the theme ‘Sensitization medico-legal officers, lawyers and civil society representatives on pro-women legislation’ on February 26-27, 2015, at Islamabad. The training was attended by participants working in medico-legal departments of Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), women shelter managers, lawyers from Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court and representatives from civil society organizations. The training was conducted with the objectives to orient the participants in dealing with victims of rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment of children and understanding the legal obligations of professionals dealing with such victims.

On first day, social worker and women rights activist Ms Shabana Arif and Gender Specialist from Aurat Foundation Ms Rabeea Hadi briefed the participants about the social understanding of gender, gender based discriminations and stereotypes in society and the importance of self-awareness to avoid such preconceived notions while dealing with cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

On second day, Ms Rabeea Hadi conducted an informative session on violence against women statistics in the country, importance of forensic evidence and the need of building a coordinated network among the concerned departments and people to effectively work together and ensure speedy justice to victims.  Mr Muhammad Haider Imtiaz, an energetic Islamabad based lawyer, discussed pro-women laws and the recent legislations both on federal and provincial levels aimed at bringing gender balance in Pakistan and highlighted areas where new laws are needed to be tabled in the national assembly.

In order to share the First policy draft of  ‘Institutionalized Legal Discrimination against Religious Minorities’ bill and the with members of Sindh Assembly, the Pakistan Religious Freedom Initiative: Leader of Influence (PRFI) project of Aurat Foundation organized a consultation with the legislators on February 26, 2015, at Marriott Hotel, Karachi.   

The meeting was aimed at consulting with the parliamentarians on the  bill and incorporate their  recommendation, suggestions and changes in the draft. The  consultation was  followed  by a n orientation session on the formation of ‘Religious Freedom Caucus’.

Ms. Mahnaz Rehman Resident Director AF introduced Aurat Foundation and welcomed the guests. She said a glowing homage to late Justice Rana Baghwan Das and the role of minorities in the country’s progress and prosperity.

Ms. Erum Javed Project Manager PRFI introduced the Project titled as Pakistan Religious Freedom Initiative: Leader of Influence (PRFI) and vowed to table atleast three Bills in a year’s time. She said that religious extremism and intolerance is serious threat to the people of Pakistan in general and minorities in particular.

Ms. Fareeda Tahir Associate Program Manger PRFI said that we have Technical Working Group headed by Justice Majida Rizvi and we have other members who have interest in the minority rights are also our members in which lawyers, NGO’s representatives, Government officials and so on. She further said that no liberty for religious celebrations/activities. Situation for minorities is deteriorating from bad to worse, Prejudice in declaring Ahmedisas non Muslims, Insecurity of life and properties and increasing sectarian violence in the country.

 The meeting was attended  by Ms Syeda Shahla Raza, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly, Ms Noor Bano NGO representative, Ms Erum Azeem Farouqi, MPA-MQM, Ms Naheed Begum MPA-MQM, Ms Naila Muneer MPA-MQM, Ms Khairunissa Mughal MPA-PPP, Ms Erum Khalid MPA-PPP, Ms Gazala Sial MPA-PPP, Ms Saira Shalwani MPA-PPP, Mr. Moazzam Ali Consultant AF, Ms Mahnaz Rahman Resident Director AF, Ms Erum Javed Project Manager PRFI , and  Ms Fareeda Tahir Associate Program Manager PRFI.

A provincial consultation was organized by Pakistan Religious Freedom Initiative (PRFI): Leaders of Influence, Aurat Foundation, at Marriott Hotel, Karachi on February 24, 2015. The meeting was attended by activists, researchers, scholars, lawyers and journalists. There was deliberation on the discussion paper, ‘Institutionalized Legal Discrimination against Religious Minorities’ prepared by legal expert Maliha Zia.

The Asia Foundation (TAF) representative, Mr Kashif Kamal said TAF is currently supporting three different projects in the country, each focused on empowerment of marginalized sections – from grassroots level exercise to reduce magnitude of the issue; access to justice for non-Muslim communities; and policy modifications so as to address gaps if any in the laws.

Ms Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation – Sindh, said that NGOs may complement government efforts but never substitute for it, hence government ought to realize its responsibilities towards the citizens in terms of their basic needs as well as in the larger context of their constitutional and legal rights.

Ms Fareeda Tahir, Associate Project Manager, Aurat Foundation, said Women Parliamentary Caucus, including that of Sindh Assembly, exists while Religious Freedom Caucus is also being formed and this would be across party lines and that the caucus members should create religious freedom wings in their respective parties. She mentioned that during one to one meeting with government officials, as part of PRFI – Project, it was found that many had little idea about the 5% job quota for non-Muslims.

Syed Moazzam Ali, Consultant, shared the Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) reports which he conducted in different districts of Sindh. Mr Mohsin Naqvi, Mr Javed Qazi and Mr Shoaib Ashraf also spoke on the occasion. Thereafter the floor was open for questions and suggestions and meeting was adjourned at lunch.

Pakistan Religious Freedom Initiative (PRFI), a joint project of Aurat Foundation and The Asia Foundation organized a meeting with the Bar Council, police officials, and stakeholders on February 21, 2015 at Marriot Hotel, Karachi.

Ms Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation, shared a brief history of Aurat Foundation and its activities. Ms Erum Javed, Project Manager, shared the background and rationale of the PRFI project with the participants. Advocate Shoaib Ashraf   gave a presentation on first draft of ‘Institutionalized Legal Discrimination against Religious Minorities’. He covered the legal and social aspects of fundamental rights, and the electoral system for non-Muslims.

Dr Mohsin Naqvi, Professor CBEC (SIUT) presented the existing laws for religious minorities, Registration for Marriage, etc. Ms Fareeda Tahir, Associate Project Manager, PRFI, emphasized the need to make laws on hate crime and hate speech.

Mr Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Minister for Social Welfare shared that they have sufficient number of non-Muslim employees in the department but need to improve attitudes and behavior towards non-Muslims. Advocate Rubina Brohi shared that we need to work with Shia community as well as they are facing life threats. Mr Abid Zubairi said that judicial system seems to be for rich people because poor people cannot afford it.

Thirty two police officials from diverse ranks were sensitized about pro-women laws at a two day workshop held on 27-28th January 2015. The capacity building training was conducted by Aurat Foundation in collaboration with national police bureau. The theme of the training was ‘sensitization of police for implementation of pro-women laws’.  The training was conducted with the objectives to orient police in dealing with victims of rape, domestic violence against women, sexual harassment children and understanding of law(s).

Social worker and women rights activists Ms Saliha Ramay and Ms Rabeea Hadi discussed different concepts related to pro-women laws. Participants were briefed about the social understanding of gender, gender based discriminations and stereotypes in society and the importance of self-awareness to avoid such preconceived notions while dealing with cases of ‘Violence Against Women (VAW)’. Policemen performed different role plays based on hypothetical cases to demonstrate practical examples of domestic violence and the role of police in counseling the victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

On the second day of training, Ms Farkhanda Aurangzib, Ms Rabeea Hadi and Ms Sadia Mumtaz carried three informative sessions on the roles and responsibilities of police in dealing with gender-based-violence victims, procedures of collecting evidence in such cases and consulting medico legal experts. Ms Rabeea Hadi and Ms Sadia Mumtaz discussed pro-women laws and the recent legislations both on 

Aurat Foundation’s Karachi office organized two-day training with police instructors and Moharrars on pro-women laws on the 26-27 January, 2015, at Mehran Hotel, Karachi.  The training, attended by head investigative officers and Moharrars, focused on Sindh Child Marriage Act, domestic violence and other relevant laws. The training was divided into different sessions and a certificate distribution ceremony at the end of two-day training.

Ms Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation, commenced the training with an introductory session on gender, gender stereotyping and cultural/class influence on gender, how culture defines gender and its roles, and that how gender roles and perspective varies within class. Ms Maliha Zia, Manager Law and Gender, Aurat Foundation, conducted the next session on understanding pro-women laws to create more awareness about laws that exist but people have very minimum information about them.

At the end, certificates were distributed by Mr Ghulam Qadir Thebo, IG, Sindh, Ms Shela Qureshi, ASP, and Mr Faizulah Korejo, SSP Investigation, to those who attended the workshop. Participants had positive feedback regarding the training. The overall consensus was that, the training gave them a better and in-depth understanding of gender issues, its influences and the clash of classes. 

 Activists of civil society, political parties, school children, citizens, gather to express solidarity with the victims for the second day.

The civil society activists on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration in front of the National Press Club to condemn the Peshawar school attack.  The protesters asked the government to prepare a clear policy against terrorism. 

The civil society activists on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration in front of the National Press Club to condemn the Peshawar school attack.  The protesters asked the government to prepare a clear policy against terrorism.