Implemented a 12-month project across Lahore and Faisalabad titled “Increasing Effectiveness of Laws, Policies and State Institutions to Protect Women’s Rights.” The project was designed to enhance the advocacy and lobbying capacities of rights-holders, civil society groups, lawyers, elected women, and community leaders to effectively engage with legislators and duty bearers. The overarching goal was to improve the implementation of pro-women laws and policies, align state efforts with Pakistan’s commitments under international frameworks such as CEDAW and the EU GSP+ status, and create an enabling environment for women’s empowerment.
A key focus of the project was the formation and strengthening of a Women Human Rights Defenders Forum (WHRDF) consisting of 30 civil society representatives. A three-day intensive training was held with legal and human rights experts, including Ms. Corien Waheed and Mr. Zaman Khan (HRCP), to enhance the participants’ knowledge about legal frameworks and support mechanisms available for women. Members of WHRDF conducted a judicial trend analysis of women litigants in Faisalabad and presented a charter of recommendations to relevant authorities during lobbying sessions. Additionally, the forum facilitated eight advocacy meetings, engaging 46 duty bearers from government institutions to address gaps in service delivery for women victims of violence.
To ensure better legal support for survivors of gender-based violence, AWAM, in collaboration with WHRDF, formed a network of 35 lawyers and paralegals trained in pro-bono legal aid. Experts such as Dr. Musadaq Hussain and Ms. Kareem Bibi, Public Prosecutor, facilitated a dedicated training session. The legal support group has since been providing free legal services to women litigants referred through the forum. In parallel, a one-day workshop was held with 40 elected women from local governments to strengthen their understanding of pro-women legislation and improve their engagement with service delivery institutions.
To ensure better legal support for survivors of gender-based violence, AWAM, in collaboration with WHRDF, formed a network of 35 lawyers and paralegals trained in pro-bono legal aid. Experts such as Dr. Musadaq Hussain and Ms. Kareem Bibi, Public Prosecutor, facilitated a dedicated training session. The legal support group has since been providing free legal services to women litigants referred through the forum. In parallel, a one-day workshop was held with 40 elected women from local governments to strengthen their understanding of pro-women legislation and improve their engagement with service delivery institutions.
Youth and community outreach were achieved through 36 mobile literacy schools established in collaboration with the Pakistan Girl Guide Association (PGGA) in both Lahore and Faisalabad. These sessions educated 2,095 individuals—comprising 2,068 female students and 27 male students—on women’s rights laws, institutional support systems, and available complaint mechanisms. Furthermore, AWAM engaged prominent experts including Ms. Mumtaz Mughal (Aurat Foundation) and Mr. Peter Jacob (Centre for Social Justice) for detailed analysis of affirmative action and pro-women legislation in Punjab to support evidence-based advocacy efforts.
A key component of the project was its media campaign aimed at raising mass awareness. Public Service Messages (PSMs) were aired on Dhammal FM 94 to educate the general public about existing pro-women laws and human rights institutions. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials were developed and disseminated widely to create a rights-aware environment and stimulate collective responsibility among institutions and communities. Through its multifaceted approach—spanning legal aid, public education, institutional lobbying, and policy analysis—this project marked a significant step towards ensuring a more responsive legal and governance framework for women’s rights in Punjab.
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