Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

After flood situation was getting worsen day by day. FF generated some fund and plan visit to Dera Ismail Khan and Tank on 3-5 August 2022. These both districts are far flung areas of KP and the assistance was not reached there. Another fact is these districts are among the poorest district in KP. It was dire need of the day to visit. Three-member team has visited these areas, met with women in affected areas. The miseries of the women of these areas were extremely painful. Their houses were damaged, completely or partially. They had lost their food, seed, livestock, their belongings, hygiene condition was worst. It was extremely hot weather and they were working in open air. They were suffering from skin and waterborne diseases. They want government to help them to reconstruct their houses, to help them for acquiring spring crops seeds. Cash disbursement was made after assessment.

During exposure visit to D I Khan and Tank, it was felt that women and children issues are not highlighted in media properly. The FF team taking the opportunity being in Dera Ismail Khan, team met with journalist there. FF shared assessment findings with media persons and discussed how to report women specific issues in media especially in disaster.

3rd August 2022: Aurat Foundation hold meeting with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at National Assembly. Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director AF presented the key recommendations for Electoral Reforms for Strengthening Democracy, Ensuring Social Inclusion and Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan. Meeting was chaired by Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, (MNA-PML-N), Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Law and Justice. Dr Syed Shahida Rehmani, (MNA-PPP) Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Javeria Zafar Akheer, MNA-PTI, Tahira Abdullah, Human Rights Activist, Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programme AF, Nosheen Khurram, National Manager AF JAZBA Programe, Hasan Hakeem and Umaima from UN Women and assembly staff participated.

The Key recommendations were given:

The following Article 25(2 & 3) of the Constitution of Pakistan (Chapter 1: Fundamental Rights and) may be substituted with:

Equality of citizens (2): (2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, colour, race, religion or religious sect, caste, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, language, maternity and birth.
Equality of citizens (3)
Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children, religious or ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and transgender people.

• Extend Constitutional provision re. reserved seats for women to 30 years (2023 = 50 years)
• Parliamentary review should hold every 10 years
• Use this time span to mainstream women in electoral politics on General seats
• Increase women’s reserved seats from 17% to 33% in all legislatures (federal, provincial, LG)
• ICT: 1 additional seat reserved for women
• Political Parties should increase ticket allotment from 5% to 15% minimum – all Houses/Assemblies. Ticket allotment based on women’s personal merit and track record, not dynastic or geographic imperatives
• Local governments: women 33%; elections through direct modality at all 3 tiers (further details in handouts/annexes) Includes:
• Transgenders (TGI 1%) + PWD women (14%) = 15% of 33% reserved seats
• Peasants-Farmers 5%
• Labourers-Workers 5%
• 33% women within religious Minority reserved seats
• 33% women on Youth seats

• 33% women at senior policy-making positions, e.g. Party CEC and Committees
• ECP to reduce or 100% waive fees & security deposits for women candidates – as incentive
• Political parties to bear 50% election campaign expenses of women candidates
• Political parties and State machinery to ensure women’s physical safety & cyber security
• (where necessary, no photographs in campaign ads).

Aurat Foundation (AF) in collaboration with South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-Pk) organized a broad based consultation in Islamabad today, including political party reps, Sen. Taj Haider (PPP) and Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, PML-N, Parliamentary Secretary on Law & Justice. Other parties were invited too. Tariq Malik, NADRA Chairperson participated.  The Election Commission of Pakistan was invited. Paul Godbout, Counsellor Political, Canadian High Commission (CHC) attended, along with colleagues.

The consultation brought together a diverse and inclusive group, including civil society organizations, women political workers, party reps, activists, transgenders, PWDs, academia and media.

Naeem Mirza, Executive Director, AF and Irfan Mufti, SAP-Pk gave introductory remarks and the meeting objectives, to strengthen gender equality women’s political participation and ensure diversity. Mirza asserted that it is up to the political parties to ensure that the Parliament of Pakistan remains a sovereign entity and to focus on women in politics.

Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah presented key recommendations on constitutional and electoral reforms, including: extension of women’s reserved seats provision for the next 30 years, with a Parliamentary review every 10 years; increasing reserved seats from 17% to 33% in all legislatures and local government tiers; including reservations for transgenders (5%), PWDs  (10%), peasants (5%), workers (5%) and 33% women within reserved seats for religious Minorities; increased quantum of political party tickets for women contesting on general seats from 5% to 15% across the board; tickets to be awarded on ‘winnable’ and ‘electable’ seats; mainstreaming “Women’s Wings” outside the “zanana dabba”; increasing women’s political party membership at senior policymaking positions; training women legislators; and women to be appointed Chairs of 33% Standing Committees.

She listed gave a long list of items comprising ECP responsibilities: reducing fees and security deposit for women candidates; political parties to fund 50% of women’s election campaign expenses; ECP to urgently update electoral rolls; work with NADRA to ensure CNICs for all women above 18 with automatic voter registration; ensure privacy and security at women’s polling stations; recruitment, training and promotion of women staff at all tiers of ECP, including POs, DROs, and ROs; zero tolerance for illegal agreements for exclusion of women contestants or voters.

Harris Khalique of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) endorsed all the proposed reforms, saying we should not back down on these demands; activists should continue the movement for democracy and political rights.

Sen. Taj Haider, PPP, commended and endorsed all the proposed reforms and pledged to bring them to the PPP leadership and also to the PDM coalition, currently working on Electoral Law reform, which would be easier to achieve than Constitutional Amendment, requiring two-thirds majority vote.

Tariq Malik, Chairperson NADRA presented a list of all progressive measures he has initiated at NADRA for gender equality, TGIs and social inclusion; NADRA issues 125,000 CNICs daily, of which 56% are for women; the gender gap has decreased from 14.70% to 8.9% within one year.

The Chief Guest, Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Parliamentary Secretary for Law & Justice commended this initiative, despite the polarized political environment. She pledged to continue working for women and children’s rights and bringing more marginalized women into the political process and promised to help include the proposed reforms in the draft Bill.

Paul Godbout (CHC) spoke the importance Canada places on women’s political participation and social inclusion. He was glad to see so much diversity in today’s gathering; local problems need local solutions to come from Pakistani civil society; programmes like JAZBA are of immense importance, bringing visible changes in gender equality.

Nadeem Kashish and Julie Khan spoke on TGI issues, while Imran and Zulqarnain Asghar highlighted PWDs’ problems.

In conclusion, Naeem Mirza thanked all participants and announced the formation of a working group to present the proposed reforms to the Law Ministry and Parliamentary Standing Committees.

A virtual Side Event during High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development organized by Aurat Foundation and Club de Madrid with collaboration of Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiative for SDG Unit, Islamabad. 

The workshop began with a formal introduction of all the gathered participants at 9:30 am. 

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.

Key populations in Pakistan, have faced a range of legal problems and human rights challenges. Key Population and PLHIV have often faced discrimination, harassment, and violence in various aspects of their lives, including education, employment, healthcare, and housing. This discrimination can be both systemic and societal in nature. KPs and PLHIV have been disproportionately targeted for violence and hate crimes. Physical and sexual violence against them has been a serious concern, often leading to serious physical and psychological harm.

Ms Shumaila Tanvir, National Manager Programmes shared that the vast majority of cases referred to Legal Aid Desk Officers deal with issues like discrimination or other rights violations in health services, employment and housing opportunities, custody rights, unethical or abusive police behavior, prosecutions for sex workers and drug users, assaulting women and transgender people, issues with housing, disagreements over property, and family. A Visitor Database at Legal Aid Desks serves several important purposes in providing efficient and effective legal assistance.

• Enabled Legal Aid Desks to provide better assistance to their clients, improve their services over time, and contribute to a more just and equitable legal system.
• Supported AF and legal aid desk officer to identify patterns and trends in the types of cases that are most common or urgent. This information helps them allocate resources more effectively and adapt their services to meet the changing needs of their clients.

Facilitated the Legal Aid Desk to schedule appointments and provide updates on case progress.

This ensures that clients receive comprehensive assistance throughout the legal process. Aurat Foundation organized the 16 legal awareness sessions with 329 participants in ten districts of Punjab and Sindh. 

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.