Empowering Women Human Rights Defenders to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence

The project aimed to advance gender equality by empowering Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), lawyers, elected women representatives, and community leaders to advocate for women’s rights, access justice, and hold duty bearers accountable. Special attention was given to strengthening the implementation of laws addressing sexual harassment and domestic violence.

At the heart of this initiative was the formation of the Women Human Rights Defenders Forum (WHRDF), a network of 30 civil society representatives trained through a three-day capacity-building workshop. Legal and human rights experts like Ms. Corien Waheed and Mr. Zaman Khan (HRCP) equipped WHRDF members with the tools to advocate for women’s protection and justice. The forum conducted judicial trend analysis in Faisalabad, drafted a Charter of Recommendations, and presented it to decision-makers during lobbying meetings. This allowed WHRDs to serve as a bridge between affected women and institutional mechanisms for support.

The project aimed to advance gender equality by empowering Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), lawyers, elected women representatives, and community leaders to advocate for women’s rights, access justice, and hold duty bearers accountable. Special attention was given to strengthening the implementation of laws addressing sexual harassment and domestic violence.

At the heart of this initiative was the formation of the Women Human Rights Defenders Forum (WHRDF), a network of 30 civil society representatives trained through a three-day capacity-building workshop. Legal and human rights experts like Ms. Corien Waheed and Mr. Zaman Khan (HRCP) equipped WHRDF members with the tools to advocate for women’s protection and justice. The forum conducted judicial trend analysis in Faisalabad, drafted a Charter of Recommendations, and presented it to decision-makers during lobbying meetings. This allowed WHRDs to serve as a bridge between affected women and institutional mechanisms for support.

To enhance legal aid, AWAM also established a group of 35 lawyers and para-legals trained to offer pro-bono services to survivors of violence. These professionals, mentored by seasoned advocates and prosecutors, formed a support pool for women referred through WHRDF. Additionally, 40 elected women representatives—including councilors and members of municipal committees—were trained on pro-women legislation and institutional mechanisms to help them better advocate within local government structures.