Stakeholders meeting on “Human Development Situation in Khushab”
SPO organized a stakeholders meeting on “Human Development Situation in Khushab” on 16th February 2015 at Pak Continental Hotel Jauharabad, Khushab. The meeting was attended by district stakeholders and civil society organizations, and was chaired by Mr. Naseer Memon, Chief Executive-SPO. The meeting’s key agenda was to share indicators of human developments with key stakeholders of Khushab. Participants from civil society and district government in this discussion included Dr. Asif Qazi, District Health Officer, Mr. Naseer Ahmad Karbali, District Population Officer M. Husain Rana, Assistant Commissioner, Malik Ansar Hayat, President District Bar, Professor Khalid Jilani Tiwana, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmad, District Officer Social Welfare, Ms. Umme Ayman, Women Crisis Center, Mr. Malik Azam, Ex-MPA and Mr. Arshad Mehmood, District Chairman Zakat & Ushar Committee and Chairman Aawaz.
Roundtable on Right to Vote for Overseas Pakistanis
SPO Pakistan and SPO UK jointly organized a forum to discuss modalities for exercising the right to vote in Pakistani elections by overseas Pakistanis. The event was organized at Macmillan Room, Port Cullis House, House of Commons, London on 29th January 2015. Members of British Parliament, representatives of leading Pakistani political parties, a representative of Pakistan High Commission in London, civil society members and prominent British citizens with Pakistani origin participated in the discussion. Details of the proceedings are covered in the following press release. At a well-attended gathering held in the Macmillan Committee Room in Port Cullis House, House of Commons, London on Thursday 29th January 2015, speakers and participants took part in an intensive discussion on the pros and cons of voting rights for overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan as well as the preferred system to cast ballots. A diversity of opinions emerged on both the concept of voting rights and on specific mechanisms to ensure the integrity of polling.
Consultation on National Human Rights Policy Framework and policy principles in collaboration with Ministry of Law, Justice &Human Rights (MoL, J&HR, Karachi)
The Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) held a National Consultation to devise the National Human Rights Policy Framework and policy principles in collaboration with Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights (MoL,J&HR) about one year ago which has resulted a consolidated National Human Rights Policy Framework (NHRPF). With the support of National Endowment for Democracy (NED) SPO is implementing a yearlong project to strengthen this document to a greater extent and hold wider stakeholder consultations.
Consultation on National Human Rights Policy Framework and policy principles in collaboration with Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights (MoL, J&HR. Quetta)
The Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) held a National Consultation about a year ago to devise the National Human Rights Policy Framework and policy principles in collaboration with Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights (MoL,J&HR). The National consultation resulted a consolidated National Human Rights Policy Framework (NHRPF). To further strengthen this document and hold wider stakeholder consultations, SPO is implementing a yearlong project which is supported by National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The overall objective of the intervention is to facilitate in promoting and defence of human rights and the rule of law through introduction of human rights policy framework in the country. Following are the specific objectives of the interventions: To prepare a draft NHRPF for discussion and incorporation of stakeholder recommendations. To consolidate stakeholder recommendations in the draft NHRPF To present a consolidated NHRPF to the government for adoption
Public Rally and Event on International Human Rights Day
AAWAZ Programme launched 16 days activism campaign to raise awareness on women’s rights and generate demands for the legislation on child early and forced marriages and domestic violence via different interventions like Apno ki Yaad in 450 Union councils, Meri Hamjoliyan at Dar Ul aman and jails, Khawateen ki Siyasi Bethak/ seminars/ rallies and signature campaign in 45 districts. SPO and AAWAZ consortium partners planned a public solidarity event titled “Apno Ki Yaad” to celebrate “International Human Rights Day” and rally on 10th December, 2014 (11.30 am – 02.00pm) in front of Press Club, Islamabad.
Joint visit by representatives of Aawaz Forum and District Government to Darul-Aman and Central Jail Mianwali
Gender-based violence is a universal reality existing in all societies regardless of economic status, class, culture or any other diversity. Many women had and still are experiencing this form of violence which has adversely affected their wellbeing as well as productivity in their homes, communities and places of work. One of the huge forms of gender-based violence is early child and forced marriages. The situation necessitate for a collective effort to build pressure on state for taking responsibility to address this critical issue. In this connection SPO Programme Specialist Shazia Bashir and Programme Officer MehmoodNasir accompaniedby Advisory committee social welfare member Mukhtyar Shaheen, Media consultant Mr. Asmatvisited Dar-ul-AmanMianwali. During this visitMr. Khizar Khan DO Social Welfare and Mrs. SaqibaSuperintendent Dar-ul-Amanwere also present.
Sixteen Days of Activism Campaign on Violence against Women by Mumkin Alliance Lahore
Mumkin Alliance Punjab has organized an event in collaboration with Lahore College Women University with reference to sixteen days campaign on Violence against Women (VAW)in Lahore on Wednesday. Mumkin Alliance secretariat is currently being held by SPO Lahore Region. Students, media, academia and civil society activists participated in the event. To commemorate the day and raise voice against violence an interactive theater performance was organized, followed by speech notes from Retired Justice Nasira; Chairperson Punjab Commission on status of women FauziaViqar; Member Provincial Assembly Punjab Farzana Butt; LCWU Head of gender studies department Sara Shahid; SPO Regional Head Salman Abid and Mumkin Alliance Coordinator/Project Manager SPO Lahore Shazia Shaheen.
Five days capacity building workshop was conducted by SPO
The Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) had organized five days capacity building workshop under the aegis of Umeed-e-Jawan from 11th to 15th November 2014. The training and resource Centre aimed to equip the participants and acted as a catalyst for building capacity of partner organizations for developing project proposals in following four themes: Education and Leadership Recreation and Benign Activities Vocational and Employment Community Engagement
One Day Consultation on National Human Rights Policy Framework in Pakistan – SPO Lahore
The Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) held a National Consultation about a year agoto devise the National Human Rights Policy Framework and policy principles in collaboration with Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights (MoL,J&HR). The National Consultation resulted a consolidated National Human Rights Policy Framework (NHRPF). To further strengthen this document and hold greater extent of stakeholder consultations, SPO is implementing a yearlong project which is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The overall objective of the intervention is to facilitate in promoting and defence of human rights and the rule of law through introduction of human rights policy framework in the country. Following are the specific objectives of the interventions: To prepare a draft NHRPF for discussion and incorporation of stakeholders recommendations. To consolidate stakeholdersrecommendations in the draft NHRPF. To present a consolidated NHRPF to the government for adoption.