Situation Update for Cyclone Phet – June 7, 2010
June 7,2010 at 7.30 pm Situation Update for Cyclone PhetStrengthening Participatory Organization Tropical Cyclone after landfall along Sindh Coast last evening at around 2130 PST has weakened rapidly into a “Well-Marked Low Pressure Area” and has moved towards Indian Rajasthan. This system has caused heavy rainfall in lower Sindh last night, and Southern parts of Coastal areas also impacted by Storm Surge of 12-14 feet high sea waves. As the system has moved towards Rajasthan, the coastal areas of country are now safe for all activities including fishing activities. The fishermen of Sindh and Balochistan can resume their activities forthwith[1]. The cyclone Phet ended with affecting the infrastructures, livelihoods and claiming human lives in Sindh and especially Balochistan’s District of Gwadar. SPO’s Humanitarian Team SPO field team is frequently sending updates about current affects of Phet cyclone and relief services by government and humanitarian actors. SPO humanitarian teams are working in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Gwadar, Jawni and Turbat and their findings revealed the needs of affecteess and representation of most affected sectors. SPO staff is seeking assistance from its local partners and passing on information through email, fax, and telephonic conversation about gaps which are existed in delivering the aid to affectees. Although, findings revealed that this time government done good job on Early Warning but limited capacity of local government in term of resources impeding relief work and taking assistance from Frontier Core (FC), Pakistan Navy and other line departments but still there are areas which need to be addressed especially return of affectess to their homes and assistance to rebuild their partially/completely damage homes in dignified way. The information also give picture that district Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan received more damages comparatively Sindh. Cyclone Situation in Balochistan According to fresh updates and information received from field staff and partner organizations from District Gwadar revealed the figures of affected families in following UC, S # Union Councils Household Population Damages (kacha/mud houses) 1 Gwadar Central 500 4000 All kacha (mud) houses are totally or partially damaged 2 Gwadar north 1200 9600 3 Gwadar south 1400 11200 4 Surnabdar 900 7200 5 Pishukan 300 2400 6 Kallag Kulanch 700 5600 7 Jiwani 400 2800 Total 5400 42800 Electricity in most parts of Gwadar district is not available and road communications are blocked especially for Jiwani. The unavailability of electricity and standing water is in Gwadar city generating problems. Gwadar airport is partially operational for non commercial flights and will take next few days to offer services. In Gwadar some evacuations made yesterday afternoon by the district government Gwadar and Pakistan Navy in Jiwani. Those families are still residing in shelters provided either by Pak Navy and district government. The most of communities are still dependent on rain water (Turbid Water) which caused of gastro and stomach problem especially in children. Another alarming problem is shortage of food since roads and available food do not cater the need of affected communities. ·Acute shortage of drinking water ·Food security ·Required medical care with special requirement for women and children ·Drainage of inundated water in affectees houses ·Require assistance in repairing and in reconstruction of houses Province Sindh Updates Sindh received the thrust of Phet of Cyclone which affected different cities especially adjacent to coast. Following are the updates give by Karachi team and currently in Thatta for need assessment today to get actual facts and figures. There is no electricity and local transportation available. Telephone networks are out of order. Keti Bandar: The camp from Keti has been shifted to Baghan with assistance of local government. Thatta: District government has set up 35 camps amps IDP (Individual) Middle School Gharo 300 Bagan High School 1800 Sajawari 500 Haji Ali Bakhsh 250 Badin: Government has set up 17 camps The four worst affected union councils are mentioned below Union Council Camps/collective centre IDP (Individuals) UC Ahmed Rajo UC Serani UC Kadhan Kadhan School 400 UC Boghra Memon School 400 Tehsil Camps/collective centre IDP (Individuals) Badin Government Islamia College 250 Polytechnical College 150 Pir Rani Primary School 80 Golarchi/ Shaheed Fazil Raho Jakhra Mohalla School 150 Govt Boys School Bai Mohalla 200 Girls Primary School 250 The least affected UCs are Abdullah Shah, Bedhami,Lohari Shariff SPO’s Response Earlier response: SPO teams coordinated for the any FIs and NFIs needs between the settlements where people shifted. So far SPO provided some food items in Gwadar City in GPS Kahuda Mohallah where 130 people provided cooked food, clean drinking water and other essentials focusing women and children. Since the district government and Pakistan Navy provided food and other essentials to the displaced people, SPO coordinated with district government for the coverage of said settlement by the government as well. In rest of the settlements, clean drinking water and dry / cane food also being provided by SPO where needed. District government and other agencies are focusing on health issues of the displaced people. However, SPO teams are readily available in Quetta and Turbat to move into Gwadar, if need arises. In Sindh, some food distributions have made in collaboration with the district government in two school settlements in Thatta district. SPO teams along with district government contributed to evacuate people especially from Keti Bundar and Kharo Chan. Current Response: Currently SPO with the collaboration and coordination with district government and other humanitarian actors are providing cooked food and drinking water to some collective centers in Gwadar. Beside this our field team of Sindh is assisting communities in relief work in Thatta, Badin and other areas. Immediate Needs The immediate coming up so far includes clean drinking water and food in parts of Gawadar where a number of people are staying either in form of collective centers or partially damaged households. It is estimate that there would be lot of efforts required during early recovery phase. At the moment SPO team fore see repair and maintenance of
Situation Update for Cyclone Phet – June 8, 2010
June 8 2010 at 7.30 pm Situation Update for Cyclone PhetStrengthening Participatory Organization On 31 May 2010, tropical depression in Central Arabian Sea resulted into formation of tropical cyclone “PHET”. Tropical Cyclone after landfall along Sindh Coast on the evening of 6th June rapidly weakened into a “Well-Marked Low Pressure Area” and dispersed towards Indian Rajasthan. The coastal areas of country are now safe for all activities including fishing activities. A total of 102,269 individuals were evacuated from the affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan, majority of them (90%) have returned / settled in their home. A total of 16 casualties have been reported (5 dead due to collapsed walls and 11 dead due to electric shock SPO’s Humanitarian Team SPO field teams are in field to support and assist in relief process to district government and other line agencies. In this process local partner organizations are equally supporting with their expertise at different scale. The information from field staff reveals that district Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan are more affected than other parts of Sindh.Cyclone Situation in BalochistanAccording to fresh updates and information received from field staff and partner organizations from District Gwadar and other affected cities of Baluchistan that Tehsils Pasni, Gwadar and Jiawni are badly affected from cyclone. The district government is extending efforts to support communities but limited resources are limiting their scale of work. Provincial government declared the Gwadar district as calamity hit area. SPO has provided the four generator and also providing fuels for dewatering stagnant water. SPO with the help of district government formed different cluster to strengthen the coordination mechanism among the humanitarian actors. SPO coordinating the WATSAN cluster, while Education, Health and food clusters are coordinating by NCHD, Save the children and district government respectively. Sindh: SPO filed team visited the camps set by district government in Gharro and Baghan, and it was observed that mostly the camps are vacated and people are moving back to their homes and district government providing them transportation facility for the purpose.This time efforts made by district government are appreciated by the people since government alerted earlier about cyclone which minimize the expected volume of damages. Beside this DCO was himself monitoring the situation and relief work. Situation in U/C Sukhpur of Taluka Mirpur Sakhro: The cyclone affected 17 villages of U/C Sukhpur and destroyed Kacha Pacca houses in the area. The affected communities are residing in the Government Girls Primary School village Qadir Lashari at their own because their homes are destroyed. The details are as under: Union Council: SukhpurTehsil/Taluka: Mir Pur SakhroDistrict: Thatta S. No Name of Village Total House Holds Fully Damaged House Holds Partially Damaged HH Total Population 1 Abdul Qadir Lashari 70 47 20 800 2 Mohd Khan Gabool 40 0 22 400 3 Warayo Kadhan 30 0 11 350 4 Yar Mohd Kadhan 10 0 3 90 5 Pirano Khan Lashari 30 5 5 280 6 Saleh Mohd Kadhan 45 2 9 450 7 Qadir Bus/Hussain Shoro 30 1 5 200 8 Izat Khan Lashari 35 3 13 300 9 Gul Mohd/ Bachayo Shoro 50 9 0 350 10 Hussain Shoro 15 5 0 150 11 Achar/Allah Rakhio 65 16 0 500 12 Morio Shoro 20 12 0 180 13 Murad Khaskheli 130 0 4 1100 14 Faiz Mohd Baloch 22 0 2 150 15 Hoti Khat 20 0 2 150 16 Soomar Kadhan 18 0 3 120 17 Ali Samo 25 0 2 240 Total 655 100 101 5660 Recommendations: • The monitoring process reflected 1000 families in different areas require assistance. • Food, non food items, and provision of dirking water is dire need of affected people in Tehsil /Taluka Kharo Chann and Keti Bundar. • The UC Sukhpur affected communities are not receiving any support from any department or line agencies. • CSN Coordinator and partner organizations of SPO are requesting to assist in relief phase of the above cited communities.
Affectees data of Keti Bandar and Kharo Chhan
Strengthening Participatory Organization SPO Situtation Assessment of setlers before PHET Cyclon at Kharo Chhan and Keti Bandar Assessment carried by SPO on June 06, 2010 at 8:30pm S # Location Name of Village Total HH Population Moved To Male Female Children Total 1 Kharo Chhan Ghulam Qadir Parhirio 10 10 18 22 50 Sajjan Wari, Kharo Chhan 2 Kharo Chhan Murad Parhirio 80 100 110 119 329 Sajjan Wari, Kharo Chhan 3 Kharo Chhan Hamzo Mirbahar 8 10 12 10 32 Sajjan Wari, Kharo Chhan 4 Kharo Chhan Moosa Samoon 70 80 90 80 250 Sajjan Wari, Kharo Chhan 5 Kharo Chhan Suleman Mirbahar 5 5 8 7 20 Sajjan Wari, Kharo Chhan 6 Kharo Chhan Allah Dino Mallah 150 150 200 450 800 Daudari 7 Kharo Chhan Hamzo Mallah 10 10 15 25 50 Daudari 8 Kharo Chhan Hassan Gambhir 10 12 15 23 50 Ware Natho Gambhir 9 Kharo Chhan Suleman Shaikh 15 15 25 40 80 Ibrahim Hyderi 10 Kharo Chhan Ahmed Patni 10 15 15 20 50 Ibrahim Hyderi 11 Kharo Chhan Wali Muhammmad 40 32 12 22 66 Garhoo, Babio 12 Kharo Chhan Khatti Mohalla 250 300 450 650 1400 Garhoo 13 Kharo Chhan Haji Khaskheli 20 30 35 37 102 Garhoo 14 Kharo Chhan Wadero Abdullah 100 120 150 90 360 Miral Shah 15 Kharo Chhan Haji Chhutto 30 60 65 35 160 Sajjan Wari, Kharo Chhan 16 Kharo Chhan Haji Qadir Bux 25 17 19 30 66 Garhoo 17 Kharo Chhan Ismail Wadhelo 25 17 18 40 75 Ibrahim Hyderi 18 Kharo Chhan Tahir 15 25 15 30 70 Karachi 19 Kharo Chhan Kher Sar 50 50 40 30 120 Baghan 20 Kharo Chhan Meerano Jat 2 6 10 13 29 Sujawal 21 Kharo Chhan Ramzan Sahito 10 10 9 27 46 Udasi 22 Kharo Chhan Arab Samoon 9 8 55 25 88 Hyderabad 23 Keti Bandar Hajamro Dablo 125 214 223 438 875 High School Camp, Keti Bander 24 Keti Bandar Abdullah Dablo 72 123 129 252 504 Not moved 25 Keti Bandar Kundhar Dablo 40 69 71 140 280 High School Camp, Keti Bander 26 Keti Bandar Shan Dablo 20 34 36 70 140 Not moved 27 Keti Bandar Siddique Dablo 22 38 39 77 154 moved to relatives at Karachi 28 Keti Bandar Miroo Dablo 100 172 179 350 700 High School Camp, Keti Bander 29 Keti Bandar Yaqoob Dablo 15 26 27 53 105 High School Camp, Keti Bander 30 Keti Bandar Saleem Dablo 40 69 71 140 280 High School Camp, Keti Bander 31 Keti Bandar Siddique Hajamro 30 51 54 105 210 High School Camp, Keti Bander 32 Keti Bandar Muhammad Khan Memon 80 137 143 280 560 partially moved to their relatives 33 Keti Bandar Ahmed Memon 30 51 54 105 210 partially moved to their relatives 34 Keti Bandar Kherb Takro 34 58 61 119 238 moved to relatives at Karachi 35 Keti Bandar Ghulam Dablo 32 55 57 112 224 High School Camp, Keti Bander 36 Keti Bandar Khariyoon 35 60 62 123 245 High School Camp, Keti Bander 37 Keti Bandar Bhori Jat 160 274 286 560 1120 moved to relatives at Karachi 38 Keti Bandar Behram Dablo 18 31 32 63 126 Not moved Total 1797 2545 2909 4811 10264
Contacts of staff in Sindh and Balochistan for details on Cyclone
For further details or any other relevant information, you may contact SPO staff at following locations, 1 Imtiaz Jokiho (Thatta) 033326291512 Asim Abro (Badin / Karachi) 0300-30128123 Mutafa Baloch (Hyderabad) 0301-83701704 Ellahi Buksh (Badin / Karachi) 0345-8239384 5 Mehrab Baloch (Gwadar) 0315-97037776 Mah Rang Baloch (Gwadar) 0321-86173377 Tanvir Wadar (Turbat) 032186162408 Pervaiz (LRP Jiwani) 0321-86205119 Shahan Abbas (Islamabad) 0321-969617710 Noor Baloch (Islamabad) 0321-2290286 Malick Shahbaz Ahmad Tahir Special Project SectionMobile: 0300-5556324Ph: (051)2104677, 2104679-80, 8316890, 2298892-3
Affecttees data of Keti Bandar and Kharo Chhan
Data of Effecttees
Situation Update for Cyclone Phet – June
June 6, 2010 at 8.30 pm Situation Update for Cyclone PhetStrengthening Participatory Organization At the time of compilation of this update, the Cyclone Phet is about to struck coastal areas Sindh. After playing havoc in areas of Balochistan with widespread heavy rains and thunderstorms, the weather system is causing unprecedented rains in several districts of Sindh including Karachi, Tando Allah Yar, Hyderabad, Thatta and Badin. Although the intensity of the storm has reduced but the rains, urban flooding and windstorm are posing grave challenge to the human lives, properties and livelihoods. SPO’s Monitoring and Assessment Teams A couple of days earlier, SPO sent disaster alert to its offices in Thatta, Karachi, and Turbat. SPO has placed its humanitarian teams at six places namely Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Gwadar, Javni and Turbat. Rapid assessments are being made and teams are monitoring the situation closely and sending regular reports so that the situation does not turn into any catastrophic situation. SPO response teams are also responding to the situations where the complaints of lack of coordination, food and medicines are coming up. Cyclone Situation in BalochistanAccording to fresh updates and information’s received from field staff and partner organizations from District Gwadar revealed the figures of families who shifted to safer places and shelters. Electricity in most parts of Gwadar district is not available and road communications are blocked especially for Jiwani, Sur and areas Pasni. Since the electricity is absent standing water in Gwadar city has not been removed so far. The district government has engaged only one pump to drain out water from the areas of Gwadar city. There is dire need to urgently remove the standing water so that infrastructure could be saved and spread of disease could be avoided. In Gwadar some evacuations have been made yesterday afternoon by the district government Gwadar and Pakistan Navy in Jiwani. Approximately, 5000 people from villages Demi Zir, Mulla Bund Warh (3 to 4 feet water rises and houses are inundated), Kohbun Warh, Gulf Usmania Warh have been moved to safer places. Details are given below. Two injured children shifted for further treatment to Karachi with the facilitation of Pakistan Navy Helicopters. Further, some 2000 people have migrated to their relatives to the safe places in the outskirts of Gwadar, while 3000 individuals are moved to safer places with support of District government and other agencies. • Akram Camp Naval Base Gwadar approximately 2000 individuals• RCDC Gwadar 35 Individuals• Government College Gwadar 50 people• GDA school 300 individuals• GDA hospital 300 people• Coast Guard Camp Gwadar 60 people• Girls Primiary School Kahuda Mohalla Gwadar 130 people• National Hospital 40 people Total 2,915 individuals In above mentioned figures people who severely affected by Phet cyclone are receiving aid from local government and other agencies while SPO is supporting 130 people residing in Girls Primary School Kahuda Mohalla Gwadar. So far following major challenges are being faced by the people displaced.• Food security and access drinkable water• Required medical care• Drainage of inundated water in affectees houses• Require proper shelter Union Council SUR – GwadarSUR is a densely populated of union council of Gwadar which badly affected from thrust of Phet Cyclone as 50% UC areas are inundated with flood water which has triggered sever problem for the residence of UC. Communication links have been disconnected by flood water which impeded access to area from Gwadar. Eight villages of UC severely affected are as follow,1- Bund Sar 144 house holds2- Baloch Ward 241 households3- Negori Ward 221 households4- Kangani 229 House holds5- Kolchi Ward 293 households6- Nokabad 166 households7- Fisheries Ward(Pabb) 188 households8- Shddaat 56 households Total 1538 Households Tehsil Jiawni – GwadarAround 200 households yesterday moved to shelters but still unable to get any proper support from government and other humanitarian actors. It is triggering alarming situation. Tehsil Pasni – GawadarThree union council of Pasni Tehsil are also severely affected by Phet cyclone, the names with villages are follows;• UC Shimali (North) village Babbarshoor 70 households• Village Chakuli 30 households• Village Kandasole 30 households• Village Kalmat 150 households• UC Kallag 40 households• Village Nalant 60 households Total 380 Households There are authentic news that five fishermen who could not be evacuated by Pak Navy despite efforts have been rescued by Iranian coat Guards from deep sea. Province Sindh UpdatesSindh is also receiving the thrust of Phet of Cyclone which is affecting different cities especially adjacent to coast.Two Union Councils Kharo Chan and Kati Bundar are much exposed to affects of cyclone but despite frequent announcements by government people of UCs refused to evacuate their houses which generate challenging situation for government to handle the issue amicably. The resident of same UC were on view that they had faced same type of Cyclone in past and would not evacuate out of their homes. Government departments requested SPO to assist in evacuating the people to safer places. SPO staff with its effective
Situation Update for Cyclone Phet
June 5, 2010 at 7.00 pm Strengthening Participatory Organization According to Met office, “the cyclone is expected to make landfall near Karachi and in the nearby province of Baluchistan on Sunday with “maximum sustained winds around 35 to 50 nautical miles per hour. “The Cyclone Phet has been reduced to category one storm. However, its intensity has not been downgraded much while the most of the coastal areas of Pakistan will continue facing its effects in form of rains and thunderstorm. According to government sources, some 35,000 people have been shifted to safer locations from vulnerable coastal villages in the Sindh and Balochistan provinces. However, there are number of villages and localities where the communities have refused to move and leave their homes and properties behind. According to SPO teams in Karachi, Badin and Thatta, at number of places, children and women have been sent to the camps established in government schools and other public buildings while men are resisting evacuation. Cyclone Situation in Balochistan The storm has already started to create havoc in Baluchistan, which saw 133 millimeters of rainfall during the last 24 hours and flooding in some areas, the department reported on Saturday. Authorities are evacuating people to safe areas and Army, Frontier Constabulary and Navy have been put on high alert. It has been raining intermittently in the coastal areas of Balochistan, including Gwadar since Friday morning. In Balochistan, though the efforts were made little late as compared to Sindh, people have been evacuated from some coastal areas. In Gwadar some evacuations have been made today afternoon by the district government Gwadar and Pakistan Navy in Jiwani. Some 5000 people of villages Demi Zir, Mulla Bund Warh (3 to 4 feet water house are inundated water), Kohbun Warh, Gulf Usmania Warh have been moved to three places namely RCDC- Gwadar, Boys College Gwadar and Port Building. Further, some 2000 people have migrated to their relatives to the safe places in the outskirts of Gwadar. In Tehsil Jiwani 200 households moved to safer places to middles school Rasani Bazzar, Girls School Razsani Bazzar, Primary School Shehzada Bazzar, Welfare Office Jiawani and Naval base Jiwani. Five fishers’ men also reported missing as moving to their houses beside these 100 boats of fisher men wracked. The situation become terrible as protection barrier wracked close Shehzada Bazzar where this sources was also providing drinkable water. Mud houses collapsed due to flash flood water and spill over of protection bund. Coast Guard Pasni (Tehsil Pasni) announced the inhabitants of Babbarshoor union council to be shifted to Pak Public School. Kallag union council is affected by heavy rain water. Some houses of Babbarshoor and Kallag are badly affected by heavy rain . Despite heavy rains in the areas around Merani Dam, the rivers are flowing normally as major rainfall has been recorded in downstream of Merani dam. There are chances for high inflow in the dam on Sunday only if rains become heavier. So far, no significant water flow in any of the rivers has been witnessed in the Kech and rivers flowing to Merani dam. However, there is flood like situation in the Nullaha and streams in district Gwadar. According to fresh updates road access to Turbat and Gwadar is not clear for travel. SPO teams are coordinating for the any FIs and NFIs needs between the settlements where people have been shifted. As soon as the assessments are received, details will be shared. SPO’s Monitoring and Assessment Teams A couple of days earlier, SPO sent disaster alert to its offices in Thatta, Karachi, and Turbat. SPO has placed its humanitarian teams at five places namely Thatta, Badin, Gwadar, Javni and Turbat. Initial assessments are being made and teams are having an eye to look into the situation for any sort of humanitarian crisis, if arises. For further details or any other relevant information, please contact Special Project SectionStrengthening Participatory Organization – IslamabadMr. Noor Baloch on 0321-2290286 and Shahan Abbas on 0321-9696177(051)2104677, 2104679-80, 8316890, 2298892-3
Seminar on “Women Development Issues in the Context of NWFP”
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Every year International Women’s day is celebrated on 8th March across the world. Since Pakistan in general and NWFP in particular has been experiencing conflicts during the last few years, the development process of the provinces is severely affected by it. The deteriorating law and order situation has also affected the social services delivery of the state. In this context SPO Peshawar decided to commemorate the women’s day by setting a theme relevant to the prevailing situation in the province. A day long seminar on “Women Development Issues in the Context of NWFP” was organized by SPO Peshawar on March 8, 2010 in Peshawar. The seminar was attended by around 155 participants from across the broad spectrum of society such as development activists, political workers, academia, media, community organizations, politicians and government representatives. Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion were: Mian Sardar Hussain Babak, Minister for Education, Ms. Sarwat Jehan, Directress Elementary Education, Ms. Samina Afridi, Gender Specialist/ lecturer in Department of Philosophy, Ms. Sumera Khan from Department of Social Work, Mr. R.D. Williams, member SPO Board of Directors, Ms. Shagufta Malik, MPA of ANP, Ms. Nasreen Khattak, ex-MPA (PMLQ), Ms. Tabasum Younas Katozai, MPA of ANP and Ms. Rakhshanda Naz, women rights activist and General Body member of SPO, Ms. Sitara Ayaz, Minister for Social Welfare & Women Development NWFP and Ms. Parveen Akhtar, SPO BoD. Objectives of the seminar were: to highlight the main challenges faced by the women in NWFP and formulate recommendations for women development in education, health, economic development. To make the event more fruitful, interesting and productive SPO arranged two panel discussion sessions with different themes followed by group discussion for collecting participant’s recommendations on women developments in field of economic, health, education and conflicts. The event started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Arshad Haroon, Regional Head SPO Peshawar shared the seminar’s objectives and the elements of SPO core program, thereby highlighting the importance of gender as a cross cutting theme of all SPO interventions. He said that SPO is striving for good governance by strengthening democratic institutions. He emphasized the importance of social justice in building peace in the region, which is a prerequisite for social and economic wellbeing. In the first session of seminar Mian Sardar Hussain Babak highlighted the issues faced by women in education throughout the province. He said that the government is not oblivious to these problems, however the government has fewer resources to tackle these. He appreciated the role of civil society in this regard. Emphasizing on women education he requested the International community to help the government rebuild the education facilities for women destroyed militants in NWFP. Sarwat Jahan said that education is not only a basic human right but it is also critical for socio-economic development. She further mentioned that it is common knowledge that Pakistan has the poorest education sector indicators in the world. She further shared that WFO (World Food Organization) is assisting NWFP government in providing some incentives like cooking oil to girls students for making their health better and motivating parents to send their daughters to schools. This practice enhanced enrollments in the schools. Sumera Khan informed the participants that in NWFP 33 percent women are literate. Pukhtoon women are facing a lot of discrimination in field of education, health, culture, rights, social and work load. She said lack of religious knowledge and misinterpretation of religion has further exasperated women status. Women‘s access to education, employment, health, property and justice had been severely restricted for years. Samina Afridi criticized the present education system in which a student cannot learn even a single language properly. She said Pukhtoon culture has greater role in putting women education in the list of none preferred items. She proudly mentioned and quoted from history that Pukhtoons were never against the education of women, however during the recent past it’s the psyche of men to control women and dis-empower them from getting knowledge through education. Shagufta Malik pointed out the miserable conditions of women regarding health facilities. She alarmed that almost 24000 female lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth in Pakistan annually. Similarly 40 million women are living below poverty line. She cursed the swara system, and mentioned that it is such a travesty by sacrificing a woman for something she has never committed. She said that government is encouraging vocational trainings to women for their economic empowerment. She emphasized that woman participation should be made mandatory in big Jirgas. Similarly Dar ul itfal, Dar ul aman under Social Welfare department are working with the spirit to reduce women sufferings. Rukhshanda Naz said women are demanding equal rights to their male counterparts but still there is a long way to go. She alarmed that these are difficult times for women in Pakistan as the country ranks 106th out of 137 on the Gender-related Development Index and 66th out of 75 on the Gender Empowerment Measurement Index. Despite religious, constitutional and legal rights, women’s position in Pakistani society is weak. She appreciated the work of organizations dedicated to women rights. She urged the government to implement policies envisaged under UN convention for women rights and CEDAW. Nasreen khattak mentioned that on the eve of international women’s day, public focus will be on the theme adopted by the United Nations, “Equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all”. This comes as a reminder that Pakistan still has a long way to go before equality of rights and opportunities is translated into reality. Women should actually have access to these services which can facilitate their progress that in turn allows society to develop. She said that we should bring change in our behavior so that we can celebrate every day as women day. Tabassum Younas Kathozai said that Islam awarded great respect and dignity to women and Islam has allowed women to go out for
Conference on “Education and Social Justice” March 29, 2010
Following its mission of building peaceful and just society in Pakistan, Strengthening Participator Organisation (SPO) held a conference on ‘Education and Social Justice’ on March 29, 2010. The objective of the conference was to further explore educational processes and their impact on exclusion and persistence of inequalities in education from multidimensional and intra-disciplinary perspectives. The conference was attended by educationists, scholars, members of civil society and stakeholders from all over the country. Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion were: Zafar Zeeshan, Dr. Tufail Muhammad Khan, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Harris Khalique, Dr. Mubarak Ali, Zehra Arshad, Noman ul Haq Siddiqui, Sadiqa Salahuddin, Dr. Sajid Ali, Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, Dr. Karamat Ali and Naseer Memon. Welcoming the participants Zafar Zeeshan, head of programme SPO, said that the educational problems could be resolved by making social justice an integral part of education. Introducing the theme of conference Dr. Tufail said that theme of the conference was in consonant with the mission and programme of SPO. He highlighted the fact that an egalitarian society translates rhetoric into reality. Eminent educationist, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui spoke on ‘Curriculum and Social Justice’. He said that modern hegemonic modes captured minds by dominating sphere of cultural production. ‘The things that cannot be controlled by coercion can be subdued through discourse connected to power.’ Siddiqui lamented the fact that education in Pakistan only focused on economic dimension not on social development under the pressure of liberal economic regime. In his speech Dr. Shahid gave the changed role of education in human history, and types of education systems in Pakistan. Renowned writer and poet, Harris Khalique, explored the relationship between language, education and social justice. He cited example of the distortion of Jinnah’s speech by establishment and resisting forces to safeguard their vested interest. ‘For a proper language policy we need to correct history’ Harris said. In his speech Harris referred to various sign posts regarding medium of instruction in the history of Pakistan. He analyzed the language used in constitution and policies just to evade final decision about medium of instruction. ‘The kind of pidgin English we are imparted to children in Pakistan does not give knowledge’ Harris stated. He was of the opinion that to change power equation in the favour of poor we need to educate in mother tongue. Famous historian and intellectual, Dr. Mubarak Ali, gave an overview of historical background of education in East and West. ‘Traditionally education was not a responsibility of state. With French revolution the domain of education came under the purview of state. It provided an effective tool to control populace’ Mubarak stated. Dr. Mubarak said that our education system was ruined by the ideological nature of our state that not only distorted minds but also our education system. Social justice could not prevail unless we get rid of existing system, he opined. Shedding light on the issue of access to education, Noman Siddiqui of Sindh Education Foundation emphasized the need of aligning education in accordance with the dynamics of our society. Without paradigm shift in our thinking and system we could not achieve the ideal of socially just society, he said. Dr. Sajid Ali, associate professor of Institute Education Development, identified basic fallacies in education policy. He urged policy makers to view politics of education in a holistic way. Zehra Arshad presented the paper of Dr. Hafiz Iqbal in his absentia. Speaking on the quality of education and social justice, Zehra Arshad, coordinator Pakistan Coalition for Education, presented facts and figures and performance of Pakistan in achieving MDG goals. Mukhtar Ali, Executive Director of Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, was of the opinion that education was not a priority in the development fund. ‘In the absence of monitoring system statistics are not reliable’ he asserted. Mukhtar especially mentioned the fact that private elite schools get grant but there is no support for government schools. He was of the view that duplication of projects ruined education and efficiency. Sharing his views eminent economist Dr. Karamat Ali said that access to education did not necessary lead to social justice. ‘Our education system has killed creative capabilities of student. Enquiring capacities are stifled by parents and teachers’ he said. Concluding the ceremony, Chief Executive SPO Naseer Memon thanked all the participants and speakers on behalf of SPO. He said that we had to leave the conference with the question regarding individual priorities vis-à-vis education.