Regional Dialogue on Effective Implementation of Pro Women and Women’s Access to Justice
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) organized its second regional dialogue in collaboration with Gender Equity Program (GEP) titled ‘Effective Implementation of Pro Women Laws and Women’s Access to Justice’ held at Mehran Hotel on Wednesday, 28th December 2016. The dialogue was attended by civil society activists, law makers, legal experts, journalists and members of Bar Association. The purpose of the dialogue was to deliberate upon the de facto and de jure challenges associated with recent women friendly legislations. The agenda was carried forward during mentioned sessions as of below: Significance of establishing Sindh Provincial Commission on the Status of Women Implementation mechanism for Domestic Violence (Prevention and protection) Act 2013; The prevention of Anti Women Customary Practices Act 2011; Child Marriages Restraint Act; Sexual Harassment at Workplace 2010 Role of law enforcement agencies/ medico legal services in enhancing/hindering women’s access to justice. Legal Support mechanism for women litigants and referral system
SPO holds talk on Revitalizing Pakistan’s Energy Sector and the Crucial Role of CPEC
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) held an exclusive talk titled “Revitalizing Pakistan’s Energy Sector and the Crucial Role of CPEC” on Thursday here at a local hotel in Islamabad. Mr. Ziad Alhadad the former Director Operations of World Bank delivered the keynote address. As he has managed many projects on energy and helped set up the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program along with publishing many articles with respect to the Integrated Energy Policy (IEP) for Pakistan. Therefore, the talk was of immense importance. In his keynote address, Zia Alhadad described the issues faced by the country including growing energy deficit despite a substantial energy resource base, spiraling circular debt, exclusion of non-commercial energy in economic plans, absence of an integrated forestry and fuelwood policy, institutional weaknesses within subsectors and fragmented policy level institutional structure, inadequate provision for pro-poor and environmentally friendly energy policy, and legacy of lost opportunities. He said that in order to solve these issues there was a dire need to build capacity and improve governance.
Women Khuli Kachari in Khushab.
One joint Khuli Kachari was organised for Aawaz union council Botala and 50 MB in press club Khushab. Khuli Kachari was addressed by Ms. Asma Cheema, AC Khushab; Ms. Tabinda Amjad, district information officer Khushab; and Ms. Nabeela Malik, EDO community development. An Attorney General from district court was also invited to represent women rights and women protection institutes. Mr. Akram Khurshid, Manger Aawaz program and Mr. Zeeshan from DAI were also in the event as special guests. Union council development plans of both union councils were presented by the village forum members, and more than one women participated in the event Proceedings.
Aawaz SPO Peshawar Cosponsored GoZEST event:
GoZEST was a Pakistan’s first multiple location, five days residential learning, tourism and Cultural festival where youth from all over the Pakistan interacted and networked with each other. Leading personalities from the world of business, development, politics, academia and culture participated in this amazing event which was held from 21st Sept 2016 to 25th Sept 2016 in Galyiat. Reham Khan was the Chief Guest in inauguration ceremony. The focus of the event was on: • To provide the young people of Pakistan with a platform to discuss national challenges towards Democracy, Education, Peace & Harmony and advocate for meaningful youth participation in decision/policy-making & accountability processes. • To Experience an inter-cultural dialogue; to promote national integrity and to celebrate the vast cultural and religious diversity, for bringing the youth spirit and festivity. • To empower the youth with skills and tools to synthesize innovative, principled and practical means to be active and responsible citizens of their society
SPO held National Conference on SDGs- Roadmap for Pakistan
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) on behalf of AAWAZ Voice & Accountability program organized a national conference on ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Roadmap for Pakistan’ on Thursday at Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. Member National Assembly Uzair Ali Khan, who is also the Coordinator Standing Committee for SDGs, was the Guest of honor of the conference and the event was attended by the concerned provincial secretaries, members of the UN body, bilateral donors, international and national organizations, civil society organizations, district chairman local government and community representatives from 45 districts where the AAWAZ program is promoting and strengthening citizen forums.
SPO holds National Advocacy Conference on Status of Health and Nutrition in Sindh
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) under the Citizen First project held a national advocacy conference titled “Status of Health and Nutrition in Sindh” on Friday here at a local hotel in Islamabad. Mr. Riaz Hussain Wasan, the Additional Deputy Commissioner District Khairpur, Sindh, Mr. Naseer Memon the Chief Executive SPO and Ms Rabia Program Manager Citizen First project graced the event with their presence along with other guests from government, health departments, partner organizations and academia etc. Mr. Wahid Sangrasi, the Program Specialist SPO welcomed the guests and shared the objectives of the conference in the light of the Citizen First project and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) . He said that the organization achieved its target due to its three-way strategy of creating linkage between the government and citizens, mass media campaign and revival of local wisdom viz-a-viz sufi raag, katchries, festivals like holi etc.
Regional Dialogue on Effective implementation of Pro women Laws and Support Mechanisms District Skardu, Gilgit Baltisistan,
Strengthening ParticipatoryOrganisation (SPO) organized second regional dialogue with facilitation of GEP partner NAWADO on Effective implementation of Pro women Laws and Support Mechanisms.Mr. Fida Muhammad Nashad, Speaker GB Legislative Assembly, Mr. Ashraf Sada, member GB council, Mr. Imran Nadeem, member Legislative Assembly GB, Mr. Qasim Naseem, senior Journalist and representative from PTV News, Mr. Hassan Jahangir, general secretary DBA Skardu and Ms. Shazia Shaheen, Senior Gender Specialist-SPO were the prominent speakers of the event.The dialogue attended by almost 09 women and 42 men from various, civil society organizations, media, lawyers, DBA members & parliamentarian etc. Total 51 participants attended the dialogue.
Formulation of Provincial Human Rights Strategies Stakeholder Consultative Workshop – Lahore
SPO under the umbrella of a project, signed with Foreign & Commonwealth Office in June 2016 aiming at institutionalization of the concept of human rights into the provincial ministries by preparing provincial human rights strategies, lobbying meetings with cabinet members and parliamentarians and capacity building on national and international human rights obligations and implementation of respective provincial human rights strategies. The objective will be achieved through a series of training/meetings in all provinces for provincial HR ministries.
Formulation of Provincial Human Rights Strategy; Stakeholder Consultative Workshop Peshawar – KPK
SPO under the umbrella of a project, signed with Foreign & Commonwealth Office in June 2016 aiming at institutionalization of the concept of human rights into the provincial ministries by preparing provincial human rights strategies, lobbying meetings with cabinet members and parliamentarians and capacity building on national and international human rights obligations and implementation of respective provincial human rights strategies. The objective will be achieved through a series of trainings/meetings in all provinces for provincial HR ministries.