Khalil George, the current Federal Minister for Human Rights, said people from all groups, religions, identities are equal citizens of Pakistan. “Rights and inclusion of marginalised groups in Pakistan has been one of the priorities for the government, as various laws and policies are testament to its commitment for inclusion of the vulnerable groups in the country”, said the honourable minister.
The Federal Minster was speaking at the concluding session of the two day Aawaz II Learning Forum, organised by British Council, Peace & Justice Network and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation in Islamabad. Aawaz II launched the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV) campaign by disseminating messages through radio, social media and community meetings in 37 districts of in KP and Punjab.
Community members shared on how activities organised by Aawaz II brought change to people’s lives through information dissemination related to preventions of child marriage, facilitation of disability certificates for persons with disabilities and civil registration of women from marginalised households, religious minorities and transgender persons.
The Federal Ombudsperson, Ms Fauzia Viqar, spoke on how “women and other groups in need should reach out to duty bearers not only for redressal but to make government institutions accountable to improve access to service delivery.”
Andrew Bowden, Group Head of FCDO in Pakistan, in his inaugural statement spoke on how Aawaz II had provided a model where government, civil society and communities could work together on important issues such as gender-based violence and interfaith harmony.
Dr. Yasmin Zaidi, Aawaz II Team Lead, highlighted that more than 40,000 Aawaz II volunteers and youth were working with local communities to address GBV, child marriage, and social exclusion.
Affan Javed, Senior Programme Manager, shared that the British Council believed in inclusive and participatory behaviour change approach for sustainable development.
Other speakers included Provincial Ombudsperson KP Ms. Rukhshanda Naz, Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Special Education and Women Empowerment Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Farooq, Secretary Provincial Commission on the Status of Women Punjab Ms Nabila Javaid, Director Inclusive Registration NADRA, Ms Reema Aftab, Mr Nadeem Ashraf Member Punjab National Commission on Human Rights and experts on the rights of women, religious minorities, women with disabilities and transgender persons.
Rukhsana, a differently abled person from Sahiwal said that as member of Aawaz II forum she had been invited by district office of Social Welfare Department for discussions and addressing issues of PWDs in the area.
Nayab Ali, a transgender rights activist applauded Awaz II’s inclusive approach for including transgender persons and facilitating transgender persons linkages with government official for redressal of their issues.
Mumtaz Mughal, renown women rights activist said that community groups such as village forums were important for strengthening leadership of vulnerable persons including women and also useful for spreading messages of women’s rights, and social cohesion.
Participants shared that associated village and district forums were being recognised by local duty bearers and issues of women, religious minorities, transgender persons, and people with disabilities were now prioritised. People from vulnerable groups were invited to meetings and government led initiatives at the district level.
Representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British Council, government departments, civil society and community leaders from 37 districts of KP and Punjab attended the event and contributed significantly in the discussions around various themes.
Aawaz II programme is managed by the British Council with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).