In order to express civil  society’s concern on the Tahir-ul-Qadri’s Long March, Aurat Foundation organized a  press conference on January 15, 2013, at the Karachi Press Club.  Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Women Action Forum President Ms Anis Haroon said that the rights groups pledged allegiance to legitimate, democratic political processes and to parliament, which is its repository.  “We reject Tahirul Qadri’s demands and all attempts at forming non-elected technocratic civil-military set-ups,” said Ms Haroon.

“As civil society, we reject all campaigns against the electoral system and condemn all attempts at its subversion by extra-constitutional forces,” said the senior activist Mehnaz Rehman, Farida Hannan, Attiya Daud, Iqbal Butt, Malka Khan, and Farhat Parveen of NOW Communities.  The speaker said advocating dismissal of the elected government was an insult to the citizens and their democratic power of the vote.  The rights activists said that the citizens of Pakistan were aware of different forms of extra-constitutional interventions and expected political parties to present a united front to respect and protect the people’s mandate.  “Tahirul Qadri is leader of a group that is not even registered as a political party and cannot legitimately challenge provisions that are a result of the democratic process,” said the activist

Aurat Foundation organized an advocacy meeting on Suggestions on Women’s Empowerment for Election Manifestos of Political Parties with Mr Jahngeer Badar, Member Manifesto Committee of Pakistan People’s Party on 12Jan 2013 at his office, Lahore.

Mr Jahangeer Badar appreciated the AF’s contribution for the preparation the suggestions for women empowerment. During the discussion, he said that now priorities of political parties have been changed due to political expediency. This is time to change the mind set of extremist and it can be change through media. He said that he will ensure to include the suggestions about violence against women, women and media, discriminative laws against women.  On the point of training of political party workers, he shared that PPP Leader Benzir Bhutto (Late) had enforced the mandatory training  for all party members, the training regarding political ethics and political skills etc. He admitted that all over the world women are taken for granted as house made and sex proposition and it so cruel and injustice dealing. He endorsed AF suggestions and also offered to arrange a meeting with manifesto committee members of PPP and with women caucus.   

Aurat Foundation organized an advocacy meeting on Suggestions on Women’s Empowerment for Election Manifestos of Political Parties with Mr S.M. Zafar, Chairperson of manifesto committee of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) on 12Jan 2013 at his office, Lahore.

Mr S. M. Zafar appreciated the AF’s contribution for the preparation the suggestions of political party’s manifestos for women empowerment. During the discussion, he agreed and gave the commitment to AF team that following suggestions will be incorporated into PML Q’s manifesto:

Education budget will be increased 5%  of GDP, health budget will be increased 5%  of GDP, representation of women on reserved seats will be increased 17% to 33% at senate, national and provincial level, representation of women on all decision making level of party will be increased 33%.  PML Q will be enacted of laws which had been passed at national level, legislation on  Domestic Violence, Home based workers will be on the priority of PML Q. Social protection measures to address the women’s poverty will be introduced. PML Q will take up the initiative of gender disaggregated data and also improved the sex disaggregated data in all walks of life with focus; Labour and ECP. PML Q has primary focus on restoration of Local Government system in all provinces and it will be.PML Q will establish PCSWs to formally monitor and deal with cases of violations of existing GBV laws and also be introduced a comprehensive women protection policy. PML Q will be focused on implementation of laws.

On the point of award at least 15% tickets to women on winnable general seats in elections for Provincial and National Assemblies, he said that I myself agreed on it but it is not possible for me. He said that he will table the suggestion on manifesto committee members. 

Aurat Foundation organized an advocacy meeting on Suggestions on Women’s Empowerment for Election Manifestos of Political Parties with central leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf on 10 Jan 2013 at PTI, Punjab Office.

In the meeting, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Vice Chairman PTI confessed that women are marginalized in our society and for the development of women it requires to sensitize the men and get them realize that women are equal to them. He said that gender blindness needs to be addressed intentionally and PTI has believed on equality of rights to all citizens without discrimination. He appreciated the AF’s contribution for the preparation of political party’s manifestos.

On AF suggestions for PTI election manifesto, PTI is distinguished among all political parties who acknowledged and prioritized the youth as well as women and people with disabilities the determining sector of social department. He stated that PTI will be ensured more than 33% representation at decision making level of party. Women would be given special focus in each and every policy of PTI.  For ending violence against women and gender based violence. PTI has plan to change the mind set by creating awareness among men and taking special initiatives like men engendering policy and through promoting girls education. On the point of local government, he said that local government is on our priority. Local government is a basic tear of democracy and important part of functional government. PTI focus is village. PTI will introduce a unique system to maintain village solidarity and unity through alternate dispute resolution methods covered by law. On the point of Land Reforms, he added that PTI is working on the land reform policy and it will be positive for women. He shared that PTI also developing the gender policy.

Mr Jahangir Tareen, Head Policy Wing of PTI, appreciated the AF contribution and ensured that PTI would be focused to provide women enabling environment and equal opportunities for development. Sharing about on education policy, he said that if PTI  get the governance opportunity, PTI will get double number of girls school in all over the Pakistan and ensure the establishment of minimum one girl’s high school at union council level and will take special initiatives for the assurance  of girl’s education. PTI will declare an ‘Education’ emergency. PTI will increase education budget from 1.8% of GDP to 5%. PTI will increase the health budget. PTI will ensure potable drinking water for all. Introduce an effective socio economic measurement structure at UC level.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi emphasized on appropriate and regular coordination between the civil society and political parties. He said that “civil society is ensuring community awareness bridged the services and implementation we provide them”. He fully endorsed AF’s suggestions and ensured that PTI would be added AF suggestions in the PTI’s manifesto.In the end of meeting, it was decided that follow up meeting will be held in coming week. Ms Malika, Director of Policy Wing PTI, ensured that PTI have already focused on all the areas which are suggested by AF. 

Members of civil society organizations staged a rally to show solidarity with slain aid workers and polio vaccinators. Under the umbrella Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network representatives of Aurat Foundation, Shirkatgah, SPO, Amn Tehreek, Hawa Lur, Fata NGO Consortiums, KK and women and human rights organizations participated in the rally.

Members and volunteers assembled at Aman Park outside Cantt Railway Station, Peshawar from where they proceeded in a procession. After marching along various roads, the protesters dispersed peacefully while chanting slogans against terrorism and for the return of peace.  Speaking on the occasion, speakers condemned the act of terrorism and asked government to compensate the families of deceased and provide security to the workers. They said that people should show unity in condemning such acts of terror and pressurize the government to take preventive actions against terrorism.

Aurat Foundation organized an advocacy meeting on ‘Manifesto Suggestions on Women’s Empowerment’ with central leadership of Awami Workers Party (AWP) on January 8, 2013, at AWP office, Lahore. AF delegation, comprising of Mumtaz Mughal, Nabeela Shaheen and  Abid Ali, met with AWP’s General Secretary Mr Farooq Tariq, and Mr Niaz Khan and other office bearers.

In the meeting, Mr Farooq Tariq, General Secretary, AWP highly appreciated the AF contributions for preparing the suggestions for election manifestos of political parties. He fully endorsed the suggestions towards state and governance. He said that AWP already ensured the 40 % representation of women in central executive committee of AWP and are ensuring at all levels of decision making. He shared that AWP has already decided to give the ticket to women at wining able seat in general election. He shared that officially Ms Nazli Javed, Labour leader will be the candidate of MNA and party will provide fully support to her for contesting the election. Awarding the tickets on provincial seats, AWP will also decide in meeting of executive committee. He ensured that he will try to mobilize the decision making body for awarding the tickets on PA seats. In reference of today’s meeting, he said that he will include the point on agenda regarding “discussion on AWP election manifesto and suggestions received from AF” on upcoming executive committee meeting which has been scheduled on 26 Jan 2013 in Hyderabad. He shared that AWP has not finalized its manifesto and election manifesto, AWP has a draft party manifesto. AF suggestions are very much important and this handbook is a guideline for us to make progressive demands for AWP. He shared that in AWP manifesto, AWP has not clear-cut guidelines or policy for media. AF suggestions will also helpful in formulization of media policy. He requested the soft version of hand book which will be provided by AF.  It is decided that AF team will meet with AWP in the end of Jan for follow up. He also shared that under the chair of Abid Hassan Minto, Farooq Tariq, Akhter Hassain, Farzana Bari, JamilUmer and Asim Sajjad working on manifestos suggestions.                                 

Aurat Foundation and the Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network (PCSN) arranged a meeting to pay homage to the slain workers aid workers including six women in swabi. The participants were from of Aurat Foundation, Khwendo Kore, South Asia Partnership, Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Bacha Khan Education Trust, Fata NGO Ittehad, End Violence Against Women Alliance and Shirkat Gah.

The speakers Shabina Ayaz , Professor Khadim Hussain,Aimal Khattak , Arshad Haroon and Qamar Naseem, said terrorists were targeting the civil society organisations for working for human rights, education and health care as they didn`t want the people`s empowerment and development. They said the civil society should end the `culture of silence` over such attacks to contribute to counterterrorism efforts. The speakers also called for better public awareness of how to counter terrorism for development.They urged the government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility of protecting the public life and property. The speakers said under the constitution, the people, especially workingwomen, had the right to earn a respectful livelihood for themselves and their families in a peaceful atmosphere. They said the security of the people was the responsibility of the government but it had failed to fulfill it.
The speakers demanded that like government staff, families of slain women aid workers be provided with Rs3 million each as compensation and that their children be provided with free education.  Participants offered Fateh for the deceased aid workers.

The participants later demonstrated and held a candlelight vigil outside the press club.

In order to  express their gratitude for passage of pro-women legislation by the Punjab Assembly, Aurat Foundation  organized a meeting of more than thirty representatives on January 3, 2013 in Committee Room A of Punjab Assembly. Ms Mumtaz Mughal Provincial Program ManagerAawaz, Aurat Foundation led the delegation of  senior management of different NGOs.

The participants said that Punjab Assembly has taken a historic step in ensuring approval of eight pro-women laws from the Punjab Assembly to protect the rights of women.  They also appreciated the efforts of Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, advisor to the CM Punjab, and follow up efforts of Women Development Department for implementation on Women Empowerment package, 2012. 

The following eight bills were passed in the last week of December 2012:

1.      The Punjab Protection against the Harassment of Women at the Workplace 
         (Amendment Bill) 2012;
2.      The Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2012 (Urban);
3.      The Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2012 (Rural);
4.      Legal Protection to Gender Mainstream Committees Bill 2012;
5.      Women University Multan (Amendment) Bill 2012;
6.      Government College Women University Faisalabad Bill 2012;
7.      Government College Women University Sialkot Bill 2012;
8.      Government College Women University Bahawalpur Bill 2012;

Mr Irfan Mufti, Deputy Director SAP-PK, Mr Salman Abid, Regional Director  SPO, Ms Naureen Tawakal, Shirkat Gah, Ms Ume Laila, Executive Director Home Net Pakistan, Mr Peter Jacob, Executive Director National Commission on Justice and Peace, Ms Bushra Khaliq, Executive Director WISE,Ms Ghulam Fatima, Executive Director BLLF, Mr Nadeem Fazil, Executive Director WAR against Rape, and Advocate Hina Hafeez expressed their views and appreciated the passage of pro-women  legislation.   

Following proposals were also submitted by all NGOs for urgent consideration by the Government  of  Punjab:

1. Legislation against domestic violence;
2. Establishment of Provincial Commission on Status of Women;
3. Nomination of Ombudsperson;
4. Legislation for Home-based and domestic workers;
5. Women’s protection policy;
6. Establishment of commission for rights of minorities;
7. Legislation against early age marriages.

Rana Mashhood, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly appreciated the role of NGOs and civil society in supporting the legislation for women. He said that NGOs were playing a vital role of torch-bearer in providing valuable services for the guidance and welfare of society. 

A delegation of Aurat Foundation headed by Mahnaz Rahman visited the party offices of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party and Awami Tehreek on 24 Dec 2012 at Hyderabad and meet wih the party leaders Dr. Qader Magsi, leader of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party and Ayaz Latif Palijo, President Awami Tahreek to share the booklet of Aurat Foundations “Suggestion on Women’s Empowerment for Election Manifesto of Political Paries’,

Mahnaz Rahman Resident Director of AF-Kara gave a detailed brief about the Suggestions for Election Manifesto and requested to include these suggestions in its party’s manifesto.

Meetings with these parties were the most successful and these parties made commitments that the AF draft suggestions would be put in their manifestos and they would report to AF which of the suggestions they chose. During the meeting with Awami Tehreek, the second largest nationalist party of Sindh, AF’s advocacy caused two female members to be nominated for the general seat in the elections. The party even promised to pay the expenses of the election and registration form fees as well. Awami Tehreek requested the AF team to support the female candidates during the election campaign.

Aurat Foundataion’s Lahore office organized the launching of Pakistan NGOs Alternative Report on CEDAW-2012 on December 20, 2012, at Ambassador Hotel, Lahore. The event was chaired by Ms Maliha Zia, one of the authors of the report.   The participants included Ms Irum Bukhari, Secretary Women Development Department, Ms Neelum Hussain, Executive Director Simorgh; Ms Maliha Zia, one of author of the report, Mr Peter Jacob, Director, National Commission for Justice & Peace, included Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Provincial Manager Aawaz and Ms Nasreen Zehra, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation.  Representatives of civil society organizations, government institutions, legislation departments women parliamentarians from different political parties also attended the event.

Maliha Zia said that in some places women were not allowed to cast their votes in the 2008 elections and the government despite knowing that did not act against tribal or political leaders who were responsible for this denial of very basic right. She said many laws, including the Citizenship Act 1951 (which allows foreigner wife to get husband’s Pakistani nationality, but does not allow a foreigner husband to get wife’s Pakistani nationality), Qanoon-i-Shahadat, certain portions of honour killing laws, Child Marriage Restraint Act etc were discriminatory to women and very little was being done to review them.

Mr Peter Jacob said that civil society has shown its willingness to work for betterment of this society. They are courageous and dedicated.  Ms Neelam  Hussain said that society is ruined due to corruption which is destroying  each  and every system I the  country, and  we need to raise our voices against this corruption.   Ms Mehnaz Rafi from Pakistan Tehreek Insaf said that Civil society is doing good work by  raising women’s voices to the political  parties. Dr Ghazala Rana, member Provincial Assembly, Punjab, said that all rights of married women are in the marriage certificate  (nikahnama) but they are not read and considered by the nikah–khawan.