International Day Celebrated by AAWAZ District Women Assembly Vehari
AAWAZ District Women Assembly celebrated international Women day at Chandni Park, District Vehari. Mr. Rana Saleem Ahmed, Mr. Jam Jamshaid Iqbal, Mian Jehanzeb (Coordinator AAWAZ District Forum Vehari), Mr. Mazhar Watoo (DSP Vehari) including 270 Women and 50 men participated in this event. In the event AAAWAZ Women Assembly collaborated with Plan Pakistan and invited them to establish stalls for bangles, embroidery work and Mehndi. AAWAZ related publications were also displayed at these stalls. Children of Danewal Public School presented a play to raise awareness about ending domestic violence. . A theater performance highlighting forced marriages was also carried out by a local theater group. This event got coverage on SACH TV. https://www.facebook.com/waheed.bhatti.72/videos/10208902395860174/?pnref=story.unseen-section
Consultation meeting on Local Government constitutional protection – 8th September-2015,Flatti’s Hotel, Lahore, 10th September at Margalla hotel, Islamabad
AAWAZ program consortium partners feel honored to invite you to a half-day dialogue on constitutional protection of Local Governments in Pakistan on: 8th September-2015,Flatti’s Hotel, Lahore. 10th September at Margalla hotel, Islamabad. Article 140-A of Pakistan’s Constitutions says, “Each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local government.” The evidence of prolonged delays in holding LG elections by provincial governments substantiate the fact that Article 140-A provides inadequate constitutional provision for holding Local government elections by provincial government. Same is the case with article 32 which deals with special representation of women, workers and peasants but misses out minorities and other excluded groups. This consultation meeting will discuss proposed amendments in Article 140-A and Article 32 of Pakistan’s constitution to achieve sustainable LG systems in the country.
Regional Conference on ‘Local Government Elections in Punjab
On 10th March 2015, The SPO Lahore Region held a Conference on ‘Local Government Elections in Punjab: Issues and Challenges’ in collaboration with its AAWAZ consortium Partners SAP-PK, Aurat Foundation, Sungi and DAI in Lahore. It was demanded that the Election Commission of Punjab, along with the concerned Government authorities hold free, fair and impartial elections for the Local Government in Punjab on party basis in the light and directions of the decision given by Supreme Court to strengthen the institutions. Speakers addressing the conference included SPO Chief of Programs Zafar Zeeshan, Opposition Leader, Mian Mehmsood ur Rasheed, Secretary Information JUI Ameer –ul-Azeem, Chairman Standing Committee Local Government Abdur Razzaq Dhilu, Ex-MNA/Human Rights Activist Mehnaz Rafi, Senior Media Expert Iftikhar Ahmed, SPO Regional Head Lahore Salman Abid, Executive Director LG Association Punjab Anwar Hussain, , Senior Advocate & LG Expert Qazi Mobeen and Resident Director Aurat Foundation Nasreen Zahra. The Charter of Demand was presented by Ayesha Rao from SPO, SPO Program Specialist whereas Shahnawaz Khan hosted the conference. During the Q/A session the audience emphasized that an effective and strengthened local government system along with the Provincial and Federal Governments is necessary for the Democracy. The speakers unanimously agreed that it is necessary for the Provincial Government to not only hold local government elections, but also give them political, financial and administrative powers which is already under the Clause 140 of Constituents. The following AAWAZ CoD was presented along with a position paper on Local Government addressing the provincial/federal government and policymakers: Recognize local governments as the ‘Primary Tier’ of governance through a constitutional amendment. Determine a timeframe for constituting local governments (for example, within three months of holding general elections) and make provisions to ensure that this schedule is adhered to. Strengthen the ECP and district Election Commission offices to ensure smooth and impartial organization of elections. Ensure representation of women and excluded groups in local government by amending Article 32 of the Constitution accordingly. Similarly, the Provincial Government of respective provinces was urged to take the following actions: Facilitate the ECP to carry out delimitation of constituencies (in case of Punjab) as soon as possible, or, in case of KP, hold local government elections as soon as possible given that delimitation has taken place. Empower local governments through enactment of subordinate legislation to clearly define their functions. The Conference was attended by the representatives of civil society and the community of the targeted areas of the Aawaz Program across Punjab. Total 215 (102 Men, 112 Women, 1 Transgender) attended the conference including individuals from the media (print and electronic), SPO civil society network of Lahore, Members Provincial Assembly (especially women MPA), women leadership and workers from political parties PTI, PML (N), PPP, MQM, and JUI. There was significant participation of AAWAZ (all consortium partners) district and village forum members (especially women) from Mianwali, Khushab, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Jhang, Mandi bahudin, Okara, who demonstrated their support and demanded for local government elections in Punjab. Speakers of the conference urged that in the light of The Supreme Court’s order, new constituencies should be made so that the Local Government elections may be held in time. It was further demanded that the 33 % women representation along with the representation of youth, labour, and Minorities should be enhanced and made effective so that they may play their part in helping the deprived and marginalized community of society Chairman Standing Committee Local Government Abdur Razzaq Dhilu made an announcement at the event that Local Government elections in Punjab will certainly be held soon, so that democratic practices and accountability mechanism could be strengthened for benefit of the common people.
Meeting with Commissioner Karachi on Water Campaign
In response to the directives of the Commissioner Karachi, Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui dated November 5 2014; several meetings have been called by the Director Local Government, Ms. Rubina Asif, to discuss and to sort out the issues related to water shortage and availability, and report back to the Honorable Commissioner. In this regard, a delegation of community leaders, political notables and civil society representative attended a meeting on March 26, 2015 held at the Commissioner Karachi Office. The representatives from Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) and EXN Public Health were also present at the meeting. During the meeting the issue of acute water shortage and uneven distribution of water in Muwach Goth, Kiamari Town were discussed. It was found out that the RO Plant being installed at Muwach Goth will cater to only 33% population of the area. The coordination committee urged to take long term measures to resolve the issue and demanded to ensure water facility for the rest of 77% by all means. In the meantime, the committee demanded to provide water tankers to the community. Ms. Rubina Aif asked the Chief Engineer (South) Water & Sewerage Board to facilitate the people of the community in greater public interest. Recommendations from all parties were received to be submitted to the honorable Commissioner for further perusal. Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) thorough its local Network NEST; Network for Empowerment and Strengthen the Society (a coalition of more than 26 Civil Society Organizations of urban Karachi) is engaged in advocacy and policy work to address public issues and effect social change.
Kul Pakistan Aawaz Dera Amaan Mushara
Aawaz District Forum District DIKhan SPO had conducted a’’ Kul Pakistan Aawaz Dera Amaan Mushara’’ on dated 11.3.15 in District Assembly Hall in which all Pakistan famous poets participated in this event .35 poet(Men And Women) were participated in this event Syed Sulman Galani(Poet from Lahore)Zahid Fakhri(Poet from Lahore) while others Sadiq Baloch(DPO Dera ),Salman Lodhi (Assistant Commissner),Peer Fawad Zakori,Ubaid Rehman(Brother of Fazal Rehman)Minhaj Sikander(SHO Cantt)M.Iqbal (Inspector Anticorruption),ADF members,and other community were participated
National Conference on Demand for Local Governments Election and Constitutional Protection
Islamabad, 17 March 2015: National conference under SPO lead of AAWAZ program with consortium partners.Speakers and participants of the national conference demanded of the provincial governments to hold by government elections with immediate effect and provide constitutional protection of Local Governments. The conference was wide attended by AAWAZ program citizens of 45 districts of KP and Punjab province, women and minorities, civil society activities, academics, legislators and political parties. Nursrat Sahar Abbassi PML (F) represented Sindh perspectives. Ms. Bushara Gohar, Awami National Party, and Ms. Maliha Ali, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, spoke about the progress of Local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Senator Hasil Bejenjo, National Party, explained the factors of success case of Balochistan LG election. He also pledged that NP being ally of Federal Government would take frontal role to table LG constitutional Protection bill. Balochistan government was lauded, for being the only provincial government to have held LG elections so far.Legislators from Balochistan said that the province, which itself has been victim of power centralization, understands the importance of devolving powers down. Speakers highlighted the role of political parties to hold LG elections and emphasized the need to support constitutional protection of LGs. Key Note speakers, Naeem Mirza, CEO, Aurat Foundation and Zahid Islamabad underlined the connection between democracry and Local governments, history of LG in Pakistan and barriers to the constitutional protection of LGs. The AAWAZ Charter of Demand (CoD) presented called for: Recognizing local governments as the ‘primary tier’ of governance through a constitutional amendment. Determining a time frame for constituting local governance (for example, within three months of holding general elections) and make provisions to ensure that this schedule is adhered to. Strengthening the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and district election commission offices to ensure smooth and impartial organization of elections. Ensuring representation of women and excluded groups in local government by amending Article 32 of the Constitution accordingly. Similarly, the provincial governments are urged to take the following actions: Facilitating the ECP to carry out delimitation of constituencies (in case of Punjab) as soon as possible, or, in case of KP, hold local government elections as soon as possible given that delimitation has taken place. Empower local Governments through enactment of subordinate legislation to clearly define their functions.
National Conference on Demand for Local Election and Constitutional Protection
AAWAZ Local Government (LG) Campaign demands immediate holding of local government elections and seeks full constitutional protection of LGs to improve delivery of social services for citizens, increase women and excluded groups’ political participation and strengthen democratic and accountability processes in Pakistan.
National Consultation on Need and Significance of Legislation on Domestic Violence and Sexual offence against women
Launching ceremony of E-Khushab district under AAWAZ program on 8th September, 2014
Launching ceremony of E-Khushab district under AAWAZ program on 8th September, 2014SPO-Aawaz Program in Khushab district with support of Pakistan Institute of ICTs for Development (PIID), Islamabad is launching the project “E-Khushab” in collaboration with all relevant public and private organizations, educational institutions, NGOs and community leaders at district level. Aawaz village forums and Aawaz Aghahi centers will the main HUB for this initiative. The launching ceremony of E-Khushab will be held on 8th September 2014 at 10:00 am in Fatima Jinnah Hall, Johrabad, Khushab.