Women Action Forum (WAF) and Aurat Foundation organized a rally to commemorate the Pakistan’s National Women’s Day at the Mall Road, Lahore. The day is commemorated each year on 12^th February to remember the day of ‘February 12, 1983’, when women activists were batten-charged while protesting against the discriminatory Hudood laws as promulgated by the then military dictator General Zia ulHaq.

Prominent activist of WAF Mehnaz Raffi, Mumtaz Razi, FakhraTahreem, TanveerJahan, Gulnar, Nighat Saeed Khan, Neelam Hussain, Shabnam, Humaira, Sabiha Shaheen, along with Aurat Foundation’s Resident Director Nasreen Zehra, Provincial Manager Mumtaz Mughal, and other program staff including Nabeela Shaheen, Sara Anum, Abid Ali, Adnan Rasheed and AnjumRaza participated in this rally. The rally started from Regal Chowk to High court Chowk on the Mall Road, Lahore.

Participants of rally raised slogans for equal economic, educational, reproductive rights and political rights of women and their access to employment. They also demanded to end violence against women and girls. 

Women Action Forum (WAF) and Aurat Foundation organized a rally to commemorate the Pakistan’s National Women’s Day at the Mall Road, Lahore. The day is commemorated each year on 12^th February to remember the day of ‘February 12, 1983’, when women activists were batten-charged while protesting against the discriminatory Hudood laws as promulgated by the then military dictator General Zia ulHaq.

Prominent activist of WAF Mehnaz Raffi, Mumtaz Razi, FakhraTahreem, TanveerJahan, Gulnar, Nighat Saeed Khan, Neelam Hussain, Shabnam, Humaira, Sabiha Shaheen, along with Aurat Foundation’s Resident Director Nasreen Zehra, Provincial Manager Mumtaz Mughal, and other program staff including Nabeela Shaheen, Sara Anum, Abid Ali, Adnan Rasheed and AnjumRaza participated in this rally. The rally started from Regal Chowk to High court Chowk on the Mall Road, Lahore.

Participants of rally raised slogans for equal economic, educational, reproductive rights and political rights of women and their access to employment. They also demanded to end violence against women and girls. 

Women Action Forum (WAF) and Aurat Foundation organized a rally to commemorate the Pakistan’s National Women’s Day at the Mall Road, Lahore. The day is commemorated each year on 12^th February to remember the day of ‘February 12, 1983’, when women activists were batten-charged while protesting against the discriminatory Hudood laws as promulgated by the then military dictator General Zia ulHaq.

Prominent activist of WAF Mehnaz Raffi, Mumtaz Razi, FakhraTahreem, TanveerJahan, Gulnar, Nighat Saeed Khan, Neelam Hussain, Shabnam, Humaira, Sabiha Shaheen, along with Aurat Foundation’s Resident Director Nasreen Zehra, Provincial Manager Mumtaz Mughal, and other program staff including Nabeela Shaheen, Sara Anum, Abid Ali, Adnan Rasheed and AnjumRaza participated in this rally. The rally started from Regal Chowk to High court Chowk on the Mall Road, Lahore.

Participants of rally raised slogans for equal economic, educational, reproductive rights and political rights of women and their access to employment. They also demanded to end violence against women and girls. 

Human rights and women’s rights activists, belonging to various networks, organized a protest, on January 31, 2014, in Islamabad, against the gang rape of a woman on the orders of local panchayet.  The activists gathered demanded that the rapists and all those who held and participated in the panchayet should be arrested and given severe punishment.

The human rights and women’s rights networks, of which Aurat Foundation is an active member, included Insani Haqooq Itehad (IHI), Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (EVAW/G,), and PRHN, FADAN, Movement for Social Justice, Awami Workers Party, and Women Councilors Network.

The networks issued following press release to the media:

“We the representative of the civil society organizations and human right networks, strongly condemn the gang rape of a widow on the order of jirga in Muzaffargarh. The incident reflects the brutal mindset of our local power brokers. The decisions of  jirgas and panchayets are often anti-women and anti-poor that uphold the elite consensus at the local level.

We directly hold the federal and the provincial government responsible for this brutal act as they have failed to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court order that declared jirgas and punchayets as illegal.

The male feudal and tribal elite continue to treat women as the private property of men. The local disputes are often settled on the lives and bodies of women through exchanging them, violating and humiliating them as they are considered repository of male honor. We strongly condemn this decadent mind set.

We demand:

• The rapists and all those held and participated in the panchayet should be arrested and given sever punishment within the shortest possible time.
• We demand the government to provide protection, medical treatment and counseling services and all kind of support that help the rape-victim to rebuild her life.
• We urge the Supreme Court to take its responsibility and deliver justice on people’s door-step by making judicial system more effective, efficient and accessible to women in general and women in particular.
• We demand that the police should take the responsibility to monitor the conduct of these jirgas and panchayets on regular basis and make it as part of the crime reporting.” 

Aurat Foundation’s Queta office, in collaboration with International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) organized a consultation on January 222, 2014, at Serena Hotel in Quetta, to share the proposed modalities of women’s reserved seats and to get maximum inputs from the participants and prepare recommendations for direct mode of elections for women.

The consulatation was chaired by Mr Jan Muhammad Jamali, Speaker Provincial Assembly Balochistan. Dr Kahoor Khan Baloch, Director General, Social Welfare, Ms Sadia Mumtaz and Mr Qazi Saleem Akhtar from IFES, and Mr. Haroon Dawood, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation, Quetta, were the resource persons. Dr Ishaq Baloch, Central Information Secretary, National Party, and Executive Officer of Chief Minister Government of Balochistan, gave the concluding remarks.  The participants included women parliamentarians, members of women wings of different political parties, NGOs’ representatives, lawyers, political and social activists and media.

The speakers spoke at length on historical perspective and modalities of women’s reserved seats in legislative assemblies and local government system.

The women parliamentarians shared their experiences and problems about their selection on reserved seats. Most of them said that political parties do not encourage women to contest elections on general seats. The participants also demanded for fifty percent women’s representation at all tiers of government. 

There is not much to celebrate while commemorating ‘16 days of Activism on Ending Violence against Women’ in 2013. Things have deteriorated more than they have improved, generally in the context of women’s overall condition in the society, and in particular, with regards to state responsiveness on women’s concern. This was the crux of the national moot ‘Women, peace and Social Harmony’ held in Islamabad to conclude the 16 days of activism campaign by AAWAZ-Voice and Accountability Programme. The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign on ending violence against women.

AAWAZ, consortium of five well known civil society organizations of Pakistan including Aurat Foundation, South Asia Partnership-Pakistan, Strengthening Participatory Organization, Sungi Development Foundation, and Sustainable Development Policy Institute with DAI being the managing partner organised series of activities across 45 districts of Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, on this occasion.

The National conference was chaired by Ms Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson, National Commission on the Status of Women. Other speakers include Barrister Zafar Ullah Khan, Federal Secretary, Law Justice and Human Rights, Justice (R) Nasira Javed Iqbal, Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman, Pakistan Ulema Council, Ms Neelam Toru, Chairperson, Provincial Commission on the Status of Women, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naeem Mirza from Aurat Foundation and Sajid Mansoor Qaisrani from Sungi Development Foundation.

The speakers at the conference demanded gender reforms, implementation of pro-women laws  and enactment of legislation on domestic violence.  The conference started with the welcome note by Mr Sajid Mansoor Qaisrani. In his remarks he said that justice can never be established in society unless women who constitute half the population are freed from violence. Ms Anbreen Ajaib gave a brief history of 16 days of activism campaign and its relevance with current socio-political situation of women in Pakistan.

Mr Naeem Mirza said now that the women’s ministry has been devolved, NCSW must be represented in the cabinet and the National Commission of Human Rights should be established without any further delay. He regretted that ministry of human rights has been downgraded to a wing in the ministry of Law and Justice. He pointed out that the gender crime cell was an ineffective body as only two out of twenty two vacancies have been filled. The representation of women in the parliament and local governments had been reduced which is worrisome. Though the local government in Balochistan has retained 33% women seats yet women were not allowed to vote in some areas. Why there is no follow up of GRAP recommendations, the National Plan of Action 1997 and National Policy of 2002, he asked. He demanded that all discriminatory legislation against women and religious minorities must be repealed. 

Barrister Zafar Ullah while agreeing that they were still many areas which need improvement expressed the view that on many levels things had improved. There were more women lawyers and judges and women were more active in public life in general. He stressed that unless we have justice for all there will be no justice in society. He said the role of law is limited as compared to customs, values and norms. His ministry was working to push forward the bills related to laws of marriages and divorce for Christians and Hindu citizens. He was also keen that domestic violence bill should be adopted by the parliament as soon as possible.

Allama Tahir Ashrafi said that peace and social harmony is not possible in a country where religion becomes a tool to achieve personal and political gains. The state is also silent about those elements who have occupied mosques and using religion as business. He also criticized the government for appeasing banned organizations. There are laws present to discourage hate speech and promote religious tolerance in Pakistan but are not implemented. Things will not improve untill the citizens stand up and reclaim the space that has been appropriated by ignorant and retrogressive forces who use religion for political purposes. He said that it was difficult for him to stand up against Salman Taseer’s assassination, marriages of Hindu girls and DNA issue in CII, but he opposed these actions and such courage needs to be shown by all of us. Pakistan Ulema Council is trying to reclaim the true spirit of Islam which stands for peace, tolerance and equality of men and women.

He said that Islam dictates that there should be no violence against women, children, the elderly and non-combatants, yet women and children are murdered in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi in the name of Jihad.

Justice Nasira threw light on the history of Qisas and Diyat laws. She said that in 1990 FSC gave a ruling that ‘Currently offences against body’ in PPC are against the Islamic injunctions. Consequently, Qisas and Dyat law was introduced. As a result, murder became a private matter and relatives of victim have been given the authority to decide whether to punish or waive an offense of murder. In the whole world, punishment is authority of the state but in case of Pakistan the law has been distorted and the authority is given to individuals. Samiya Sarwar case of early 90s is the glaring example of the atrocities of Qisas and Diyat laws. In 2004, law on honour killing was introduced but this law has some lacunae which need to be addressed. Qisas and Diyat law has also been reviewed by NCSW which also suggested its repeal. 

Neelam Toru said women face a lot of socio-political barriers in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The literacy rate among girls is very low. They are afraid to go to schools following the militant attacks on schools in KP. Provincial Commission on the status of women is seeking to have nikah nama registered and raising awareness on the importance of the right of the women to divorce.

Ms Khawar Mumtaz said that inspite of present difficulties especially from terrorism the struggle for women rights will continue. Laws were important but awareness at the local and national levels was also necessary. She commended the AAWAZ consortium for raising awareness on these issues in 7000 villages and urban settlements. She said that there is an inter-provincial ministers coordinating committee which needs to be strengthened and must play a more active role. Concluding her remarks she said the women will continue to struggle without fear and face all challenges that lie in the way.

A stage play on Pakistan’s political history was also presented in the end by the Interactive Resource Centre.

A demonstration demanded the Supreme Court of Pakistan a speedy justice for Perween Rahman, human rights activist assassinated on March 13, 3013, in Karachi, by anti-human rights forces.  The demonstration, organized by Aurat Foundation on November 25, 2013, in front of National Press Club, Islamabad, was part of continuing series of actions which civil society has announced to pursue the case in the Supreme Court and get justice for the deceased and her family.  

Emphasizing on the importance of public pressure, the civil society organizations agreed to plan a series of peaceful demonstration to build public pressure as a gesture of support to expedite the proceedings of case and for verdict to be given.  The demonstrators reverberated that there was a dire need for a sustained campaign. It was mutually decided by the group that this demonstration and other in the future should not be aimed at confrontation rather it should be a gesture of support to a quick verdict.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has accepted the petition for hearing the Perween Rehman murder case.  This was shared by Mr Younas Khalid, Chief Strategy & Policy Officer, Aurat Foundation, and Ms Rehana Hashmi, Executive Director, Sisters Trust.  They also shared that 7,800 petitions have been signed by the human rights activists and filed to the Supreme Court; 50 % of the petitions have been received from   outside the country.  “We have full confidence in our superior judiciary, and expect speedy trial / hearing of the case to bring culprits to the justice”, said Mr Khalid Younas.  Ms Rehana Hashmi shared that a demand has been made for the formation of a judicial commission comprising senior police official and a judge.

The participants also signed a supporting banner and petitions which would be sent to the Supreme Court to become party in the case.  The participants also made commitment that they would bring human right activists and member of civil society organizations for the court hearing to be part of speedy justice.

Aurat Foundation’s Lahore office organized a candle light vigil to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. These 16 days campaign marks annually on international level, to emphasize that gender-based violence is a human rights violation. 

The 16 Days of Activism starts on November 25 and concludes on International Human Rights Day December 10 each year under a theme.  This year’s is ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!’, and highlights the intersections of gender-based violence and militarism, as well as the related issues of economicand social rights experienced by women and their communities.

A large number of civil society representatives and activists both male and female joined this vigil. They chanted slogans on equal economic rights, educational rights, reproductive rights and political rights of women and their access to employment. They also demandedto end violence against women and girls. Participantslifted placards and banners inscribed with different slogans in the favor of women.

Sixteen days of activism is a global campaign which takes place in the period 25 Nov and 10 Dec to raise awareness around gender based violence. The Peshawar team of AAWAZ  Voice and Accountability Programme organized a provincial conference on ‘ Women & Peace’ on 25 November, 2013 at Pearl Continental Hotel Peshawar. The conference was a collective initiative of AAWAZ consortium partners i.e. Aurat Foundation, South Asia Partnership Pakistan, Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Sungi Development Foundation and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. The speaker guests included Ms Bushra Gohar, Senior Vice President of Awami National Party, Ms Sadia Khan, senior journalist & member Provincial Commission on the Status of Women KP, Dr Anush Khan,  gender specialist and Arshad Haroon, SPO

Key points discussed on the forum were:

·         Raising awareness about  gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels;

·         Strengthening local work around violence against women;

·         Establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women;

·         Providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies;

·         Demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women; and

·         Creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women.

Aurat Foundation organized and hosted the inaugural meeting of AAWAZ National Forum (ANF) on November 7, 2013, at its head office in Islamabad.   The Forum, a representative body of AAWAZ – Voice and Accountability Programme, envisioned as a national forum, will serve as a strategic platform to strategize on key reform areas and provide technical input for promoting women’s political participation, ending violence against women and gender-based legislation, as well as peaceful resolution of conflicts and citizens’ engagement for effective service delivery under main AAWAZ themes in consultation with similar provincial forums and different stakeholders. The forum would comprise representatives of political parties, members of civil society organizations including six AWAZ programme’s partner organizations, representatives from media, academia, lawyers, from relevant institutions like NADRA and ECP, two members from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces where the AAWAZ programme is being implemented.

 

Mr Harris Khalique, Team Leader AAWAZ programme, gave a brief note on objectives of the programme. He said that AAWAZ programme would focus on enhanced political participation of women in larger public life without fear of gender-based violence, conflict resolution to address tribal, familial, sectarian, ethnic, faith-based or other kinds of conflicts, and citizens’ engagement to achieve better public service delivery particularly in the areas of health and education.  Another overarching component of AAWAZ is policy, analysis, research and results (PARR) facility to synthesise information build robust evidence base around community voice and empowerment, social change, relevant policy influence and government reform

Mr Naeem Mirza, Chief Operating Officer, Aurat Foundation said that AAWAZ programme is flagship project in the broad area of gender, governance, democracy and civil society, and it was cconceived after taking stock of Pakistan’s political economy, sociology and issues around development and much larger corresponding support to public sector.  He further said that it is designed to nourish and nurture democratic processes from below by capitalising on existing citizens’ action.

Ms Feroza Zahra, briefed the ANF members about its Terms of Reference (TORs) and role. She said that the ANF will develop a strategic plan in consultation with concerned partners and stakeholders. Important TORs include: Regular periodic consultations for thematic areas particularly increased women’s participation in politics, advocacy and lobbying for AAWAZ thematic areas, facilitate legislation, policy making and procedural changes/ amendments for AAWAZ thematic inputs, follow ups on different initiatives, and provide capacity support by technical experts to understand and promote issues of women’s participation and safety in the political and public spaces.  The ANF’s structure include all five partners and management organization will be core body; all partners nominates one person from each organization including MO but three technical leads will be also part of this forum to facilitate in respective output thematic areas as and when required. Aurat Foundation will provide secretarial support to AAWAZ National Forum as thematic lead. 

Ms Riffat But, legal expert, spoke on the current issues of citizen’s rights and gender based legislation.  She said that Pakistan has recently made progressive achievement on gender-based legislation, and that has brought another challenge of the effective implementation of these women-friendly laws / legislation.  However, there remain some other daunting issues which still require a lot of work and lobbying e.g. domestic violence, trafficking, early marriages, economic empowerment of rural women etc.  Provincial assemblies must be provided technical support for introducing legislation on the issues of minority women. She suggested that the forum shall focus on the compliance of all the UN conventions reference to women’s rights which Pakistan has signed including CEDAW.

While discussing the major objectives of the forum, the members suggested that after evaluating the type and rate of violence against women, the forum shall raise the issue at relevant forums so that to effectively eradicate the violence against women and intolerance from the society.  Ms Farhana Qamar, MNA- PML (N) and Ms. Asiya Nasir, MNA (JUI-F) suggested that the forum shall involve the parliamentarians from the districts where the AAWAZ programme is being implemented.  

Instead of nominating the parliamentarian the consortium partners need to contact the mainstream parties and ask for nominating their representatives.  Ms Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson NCSW, said that suggested the representation from all provinces in the ANF.

Role of provinces is very important and we need to add representatives from the provincial level also. On the issue of sustainability of the forum, the AAWAZ  partners responded that looking at their history and experiences of networking and advocacy they are sure to ensure the sustainability of the forum.   It was envisaged to also engage law ant d human rights commission representative in this forum.

AAWAZ – Voice and Accountability Programme, a five-year (2012 to 2017), is striving to strengthen stable, inclusive and tolerant democracy in Pakistan. The Programme views democracy through a gender lens, and intends to contribute to women’s political empowerment, resolution of conflicts across the communities that it works with, and better public service delivery in the areas of health and education through informed and active engagement of citizens. Between 2012 and 2017, AAWAZ will work in at least 7000 villages and urban settlements across 45 districts, 26 district of Punjab and 19 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  The programme is managed by Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) and implemented by Pakistan’s prime civil society organizations: Aurat Foundation (AF), South-Asia Partnership-Pakistan (SAP-PK), Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), SUNGI Development Foundation (SDF) and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).  districts in Pakistan’s two provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).