The document discusses the formation of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus in Pakistan in 2008. Key points:
1) The Women's Parliamentary Caucus was formed under the leadership of Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker of the National Assembly, to give women parliamentarians a platform to collectively work on gender issues.
2) It has two tiers - a General Body of 93 members including women from the National Assembly and Senate, and a Working Council of 10 members including office bearers from major political parties.
3) The objectives of the Caucus are to inspire cross-party cooperation among women parliamentarians on priority women's issues, and help build their capacity to engage in gender-sensitive law
The document discusses the formation of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus in Pakistan in 2008. Key points:
1) The Women's Parliamentary Caucus was formed under the leadership of Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker of the National Assembly, to give women parliamentarians a platform to collectively work on gender issues.
2) It has two tiers - a General Body of 93 members including women from the National Assembly and Senate, and a Working Council of 10 members including office bearers from major political parties.
3) The objectives of the Caucus are to inspire cross-party cooperation among women parliamentarians on priority women's issues, and help build their capacity to engage in gender-sensitive law
The document discusses the formation of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus in Pakistan in 2008. Key points:
1) The Women's Parliamentary Caucus was formed under the leadership of Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker of the National Assembly, to give women parliamentarians a platform to collectively work on gender issues.
2) It has two tiers - a General Body of 93 members including women from the National Assembly and Senate, and a Working Council of 10 members including office bearers from major political parties.
3) The objectives of the Caucus are to inspire cross-party cooperation among women parliamentarians on priority women's issues, and help build their capacity to engage in gender-sensitive law
Founded by Shahla Zia Patron-in-Chief: Nigar Ahmad
Anis Haroon Women’s Parliamentary Caucus formed
NCSW chairperson Political and legislative representation of women in Pakistan had another Ms. Anis Haroon, milestone in year 2008, when a cross- one of the lead- party Women’s Parliamentary Caucus ing figures of the was formed on 21 November 2008 women's move- under the leadership of Dr Fehmida ment in Pakistan Mirza, Speaker of the National and a renowned Assembly, who was also elected as the human rights and Patron of the Caucus. The Women's peace, has been Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) is appointed as aspired to provide women parliamen- chairperson of tarians a platform to collectively con- the National tribute in making the Parliament gender Dr Fehmida Mirza, Ms Nafisa Shah, Ms Nuzhat Sadiq, Commission on the Status of Women sensitive and increase its influence and Patron of WPC Secretary of WPC Treasurer of WPC (NCSW) for a three years term. This interaction with organizations working (PPP) and Ms Nuzhat Sadiq, MNA According to its stated objectives, the was announced by the Prime Minister on women's rights and empowerment (PML-N) were elected as Secretary WPC is committed to inspire women Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani at a conven- both nationally and internationally. and Treasure of the Caucus, respec- parliamentarians beyond party lines so tion in Islamabad to mark the tively. The names of other members that to build a consensus on priority International Women's Day on 8th The WPC consists of two tiers, the are: Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho (PPPP), issues concerning women both within March. Ms. Anis Haroon has remained General Body, a larger forum of 93 Ms Ishrat Ashraf (PML-N), Dr Doniya and outside the parliament. The associated with Aurat Foundation for members, which include 76 women Aziz (PML-Q), Ms Khushbakht Caucus will also provide capacity almost over two decades. members of National Assembly and Shujaat (MQM), Ms Bushra Gohar building opportunities for women par- 17 women Senators, and the Working (ANP), Ms Aasia Nasir (MMA), Ms liamentarians. The total strength of the NCSW is 18 Council which comprises 10 members Reena Kumari (PML-F) and Ms which includes it Chairperson Ms Anis including the two office-bearers, the Saima Akhtar Bharwana The Caucus will enhance the role of Haroon and four ex-officio members. Secretary and the Treasurer, one mem- (Independent). The Caucus would be women parliamentarians in proposing The other regular members of the ber each from seven major political further extended with the inclusion of gender sensitive legislation, reviewing NCSW include Ms Ali Begum, Ms parties and one member from inde- women members from Provincial and amending discriminatory laws and Continued on next page pendents. Ms Nafisa Shah, MNA Assemblies. Continued on next page
Globalization and women in the informal economy
By Rubina Saigol ensure certain basic economic, social be a hindrance in the free movement of Structural Adjustment Programmes and political rights to workers which capital, goods and information across Globalization is a term that refers to were subsequently enshrined in UN borders. As the assumed repository of Structural Adjustment Programs mainly advanced corporate capitalism that is human rights instruments. The Welfare public good, states tended to be protec- involved borrowing expensive loans global in nature. Capitalism is a mode State was born out of a historical com- tionist and created trade barriers against from the IMF and World Bank, tied of production that is based on the prin- promise between capital and labor and the import of cheap goods produced with harsh conditionalities, to pay off ciple of private good and maximization it was agreed that the state, as a repre- through large-scale manufacturing. The previous debts. The conditionalities of profits, accomplished through the sentative of public good, would take new capitalist ideology falsely separat- included the following: higher taxes and appropriation of surplus value. care of citizens and workers against ed the economy from politics and the higher utility charges; lower wages for Capitalism has a built in propensity exploitation by a heartless market. market from the state. workers; cutting back expenditure on towards periodic crises resulting from social services such as health and edu- various factors such as overproduction. In 1973, the Arab-Israeli war led to the In the post-world war II period, the rul- cation; opening markets to the luxury A severe crisis of capitalism was wit- oil-rich countries of West Asia blocking ing elites of developing countries accu- goods from rich countries; reduction of nessed in the early 1930s, known as the the flow of oil to the energy-hungry mulated enormous and unsustainable subsidies on food and agriculture; pri- Great Depression. Since 2008 the countries of the Western world. At that debts, and the money received was vatization of public enterprises after world is undergoing a major global cap- moment, capitalism invented new and spent unproductively and misused by downsizing (read, unemployment); italist crisis that has struck the heartland different ideologies premised on the corrupt bureaucracies and unscrupulous emphasis on export-orientation with of capitalism - the United States. idea of a 'free market economy'. It was rulers. Through the major engines of less food for local consumption; provi- argued that states should not intervene world capitalism, the World Bank and sion of incentives to private investment Capitalism advances competing and in markets as they distort markets which IMF created after WWII, the major and concessions to the global private contradictory ideologies as it struggles have self-regulating and self-correcting creditor countries could arm-twist sector; devaluation of the local currency with spirals of inflation, deflation, mechanisms. The new mantra of the weak, corrupt, inefficient and insolvent so that foreigners would get more goods recession, unemployment and financial economic managers of the global econ- ruling elites to collude with global cap- for less money; de-regulation of the collapse. In the 1930s, the ideologues omy was based on three salient features: italist elites in the process of liberaliza- labor-market by creating Export of capitalism favored state intervention privatization, de-regulation and trade tion, de-regulation and privatization. Processing Zones where labor had no in the market to stabilize the economy liberalization. Large multinational Hence, the infamous Structural rights; lifting of price controls and and provide protections to the vulnera- companies, whose budgets were larger Adjustment Programs which were allowing full repatriation of profits to ble. The fear of a Russian-style revolu- than the combined budgets of several implemented in 70 countries across the rich countries. With Structural tion induced capitalist countries to developing countries, found the state to world with disastrous results. Continued on next page 2
Globalization and women in the informal economy
Form Page 1 A large number of women in the infor- of homemaking and childcare, it would Women are believed to have nimble fin- Adjustment Programs, capitalism was mal sector are home-based workers have to tax the productive sector heavi- gers, so the most delicate work is given basically able to socialize costs while who produce goods at home and market ly, once again cutting into profits. to them. They are considered docile privatizing profits. them through the middle man who Women's unpaid labor carries the edi- and subservient, and more amenable to exploits their lack of access to markets. fice of the capitalist economy and state control, as they do not have time When the devastation caused by Capitalism, by creating worldwide on its shoulders. By reproducing labor, between home and work to join trade Structural Adjustment policies surfaced, informally-run sweatshops, has saved literally through childbirth and figura- unions. They are considered the most the major global powers attempted to itself the trouble of procuring buildings, tively by refreshing male labor for the supple, flexible and dependable reserve bring back a reformulated and redefined buying electricity or providing any next day's work, women are the hidden army of labor. state. The restructuring of heavily facility by shifting the work to the and silent prop on which capitalism indebted states was accomplished in the home. A large segment of the garment, rests. Household labor is therefore As the state lifts subsidies from health, name of 'good governance' to re-orient packaging and electronics industry runs often extracted from them through women not only suffer more as the end- the states to serve private rather than along the lines of home-based work, direct violence or indirect coercion built users of health services, they are also public interest. Democratic terms like which reinforces the patriarchal notion into patriarchal marital and sexual expected to nurse family members 'rule of law', 'accountability', 'trans- based on their traditional knowledge of parency', 'law and order' and 'anti-cor- Redirecting Political and Economic Decisions towards People herbal remedies. As commodities ruption laws' were no longer designed become more expensive, women still to protect public money or transactions The major economic and political decision-making today rests with powerful have to feed their families and walk but private investment and profits. The countries which control and manipulate the Unholy Trinity comprising the World long distances to fetch cheaper food. As Access to Justice Program was Bank, the IMF and the World Trade Organization. The UN, as the symbol and the state lifts subsidies from food items, designed to ensure that Foreign Direct guardian of peoples' rights across the world has been marginalized, while the troi- women get lesser nutrition as they are Investment was protected against fraud ka consisting of WB, IMF and WTO has gained enormous clout. The World Bank the last to eat the leftover morsels after rather than to provide justice to people. has more control over education than UNESCO, more control over food than the feeding the family. As education and Food and Agricultural Organization, more control over health than the World health are pushed into the private sector, Structural Adjustment Programs greatly Health Organization, and more control over the environment than the United women are denied schooling and intensified poverty in the indebted Nations Environmental Program. Decisions that are made in powerful backrooms healthcare within families that can only countries leading to unrest and social of these organizations lack transparency, accountability and participation of peo- afford to educate one or two children breakdowns. Two of the serious conse- ple. With enhanced corporate control over decision-making democratic space is (who are invariably male) and better quences of Structural Adjustment are shrinking. health facilities are provided only to relevant for this discussion: one, the male children. As the cost of living informalization and casualization of The state needs to re-orient itself towards public good by enacting legislation for rises, girls are pulled out of school to labor; and two, the feminization of the protection of workers in the informal economy and for ensuring that they get help the mother at home or take care of poverty. With the de-regulation of the the rights defined by the International Labor Organization and the International younger siblings while the mother is at labor market, large numbers of workers Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Civil society organizations, work. Women step in and fill the gap became part of the informal or unorgan- particularly those concerned with women's rights, labor rights, legal rights and where the state recedes. ized sector of the economy. They human rights, need to exert pressure on the government to guarantee that workers became temporary, part-time and casual in the informal economy are protected against the prevailing economic downturn, In a study of Structural Adjustment labor that could be laid off without any not only through safety nets but through serious structural transformations that Programmes, carried out by PILER, it qualms. Informal labor had no rights or redistribute wealth, land, resources and power in the country. was found that, "The intensification of benefits including medical, life insur- poverty, a result of the liberalization and ance, accident insurance or other rights privatization policies undertaken by the that protect workers in formal sectors. that a woman's place is in the home. norms. As Eileen Sudworth observes in government of Pakistan under the aegis Over 90 per cent of Pakistan's workers Saba Gul Khattak concludes in her Free Trade Zones and Women Workers, of Structural Adjustment Programs is now fall in the informal sector, the most study of women in the informal sector: "Thus women, in both developed and going to lead to increasing misery exploited of all sectors in the economy. "Our findings indicate that these poli- developing countries, are at the mercy among the marginalized. Given these cies have affected women workers neg- of a system over which, at present, they realities, it is imperative for women Women and the Informal Economy atively in different contexts, i.e. in cer- have little or no control or influence, workers to devise strategies to organize tain contexts such as large scale manu- victims of a logic based not primarily themselves in order to protect their By far the greatest number of workers facturing the negative effects are com- on the well-being of the many but on rights and acquire better bargaining in the informal economy are women. It paratively less than in the context of the increased profitability for the few. position vis a vis their employers." With has been estimated that over 80 per cent home-based work." And it is women who are paying for Pakistan having once again signed a sta- of the workforce in Special Economic these profits - with their labour, with bilization program with the IMF involv- Zones and Export Processing Zones Capitalism exploits women directly their health, with their unemployment." ing harsh conditionalities, workers in consists of women. They work long through the mechanism of home-based general, and women workers in particu- hours for paltry sums and are laid of at production, and indirectly through the Nevertheless, capitalism is heartless lar, will have to mount resistance the first sign of economic contraction. patriarchal ideology of women as towards women. They are the first to be against the government's capitulation to Every developing country, eager to homemakers. Women's free labor in the retrenched in times of economic con- a global agenda that is detrimental to attract Foreign Direct Investment, home, extracted through the ideology of traction. Women are paid two-thirds of the interests of all workers. As markets offers workers at cheaper rates and with 'labor of love', is the mainstay of capi- the amount men are paid for the same for exports contract due to the econom- fewer rights than others. Workers in the talism. If wages were to be charged for work. Women do 60 per cent of the ic downslide, women workers may be informal economy have none of the housework and childcare, capitalism world's work and earn I0 per cent of the the first to lose jobs and income in the legal rights recognized in international would have to pay the family wage so income. They own 1 per cent of the fierce global competition for European rights instruments, ILO regulations or that the worker may buy such services. world's property and cultivate lands that and US markets. —The Author is an national labor policies since they are not This would cut hugely into its profits. If men own and bring up children who independent researchers on social recognized officially as workers. the state were to provide basic services carry men's name down generations. developement.
NCSW chairperson Women’s Parliamentary Caucus
Form Page 1 Form Page 1 cal areas of concern at dif- formed a cross-party women Parliamentary Caucus has Bushra Ali Zulqarnain, Ms Charmaine policies; ensure effective ferent levels both nationally caucus on Monday, 23 been a long standing demand Hidayatullah, Dr Fouzia Saeed, Mr parliamentary oversight of and internationally; and February 2009, at Lahore. of women’s rights groups. Jamy Chandio, Ms Khawar Mumtaz, implementation of interna- liaise and build working The Caucus members vowed The demand picked momen- Ms Misbah Momin, Ms Nasreen tional and regional commit- relationship with key state to work for legislation and tum soon after the entry of as Aslam Azhar, Ms Noor-ul-Ain, Ms ments, policies and pro- and civil society institutions. policies important to women many women parliamentari- Raashda Anwar, Ms Rukhsana grammes; facilitate and to their empowerment. ans as 74 in the 12th National Ahmed, Ms Romana Tanvir and Ms exchange of views and The women members in the Assembly (2002-07) on Ratna Bhagwandas Chawla. information sharing on criti- Punjab Assembly also The establishment of Women reserved and general seats. 3
HBWs striving for equal status as workers
By Ume-Laila Azhar storied shopping malls and feel pride These women usually come from lower social services and gender inequalities. in spending money on them ; but have or lower middle income background They operate with very little capital or The informal sector has acquired great we ever once thought how they are and form various age groups and with none at all, and utilise low level of significance over the years as a source made or what hands are involved in the very little or no education at all. Young technology and skills. Employment in of employment and livelihoods for an production of these beautiful artefacts girls of age 6 to 14 are working and these enterprises is highly unstable and increasing number of people, especial- ………no. We have never once helping their mothers in making and incomes are generally very low, irreg- ly women, in both rural and urban thought about the poor invisible hands finishing the tasks handed to them by ular and seasonal. areas of the developing world. It has producing beautiful products and out the middleman, in hope of getting 36 particularly become a key mechanism fits for the ladies of elite class. Rs for making 12 shalwars or 20 Rs for Looking at the constraints they face: for distributing goods and services to filling 12 dozen( gross) of match boxes. the urban poor. According to figures released by This is a Home Based worker. lack of access to productive Pakistan Institute of Development resources due to discriminations in According to the ILO, the informal Economics (PIDE) there are 8.52 mil- Sadly enough the home based worker property ownership and in employ- sector is made up of very small-scale lion home based workers representing in Pakistan is not covered by the defi- ment; units producing and distributing goods lack of time because of and services and owned and operated by largely independent, self employed Home Work Convention, C177 unequal gender division of labour in unpaid productive and reproductive producers employing family labour or activities; (We are reproducing below the Preamble and Article 1 of the Home a few hired workers and apprentices. lack of skills due to lower lev- Work Convention, C117, which provides the defination of homeworker) Informal sector enterprises are els of literacy and formal education; extremely diverse and are to be found PREAMBLE Convention, which may be cited as lack of access to labour as a in great numbers in all the main eco- the Home Work Convention, 1996: result of norms of gender hierarchy nomic sectors, most of all in trade and The General Conference of the and separation; and services but also in manufacturing, International Labour Organization, Article 1 lack of access to markets due construction, transport and urban agri- For the purposes of this Convention: to their exclusion from the most lucra- culture. They operate with very little Having been convened at Geneva by (a) the term [ home work ] means tive markets. capital or none at all, and utilise a low the Governing Body of the work carried out by a person, to be level of technology and skills. International Labour Office, and hav- referred to as a homeworker, The lack of access to informal and for- Employment in these enterprises is ing met in its Eighty-third Session on mal credit by women micro and small highly unstable and incomes are gener- 4 June 1996, and (i) in his or her home or in other entrepreneurs has been identified by ally very low and irregular. premises of his or her choice, other numerous studies as a major, some Recalling that many international than the workplace of the employer; even say, the major constraint. It is important to note also that in many labour Conventions and (ii) for remuneration; developing countries, the informal sec- Recommendations laying down stan- (iii) which results in a product or With informal sources of finance being tor is often equated with 'parallel' or dards of general application concern- service as specified by the employer, relatively easy to access, women rely 'black' market activities, hence looked ing working conditions are applicable irrespective of who provides the on moneylenders and pawnbrokers, down upon by society. Consequently, to home workers, and equipment, materials or other inputs rotating savings and credit associations public policy towards the informal sec- used, unless this person has the (ROSCAS), and friends, relatives, sup- tor is as ambivalent as it is contradicto- Noting that the particular conditions degree of autonomy and of econom- pliers and shopkeepers. While these ry - usually oscillating between benign characterizing home work make it ic independence necessary to be con- sources are providing the bulk of neglect to periodic harassment. The desirable to improve the application sidered an independent worker under financial resources for female entre- prevailing attitude of officials seems to of those Conventions and national laws, regulations or court preneurs and offer a number of poten- be given sanction by the range of activ- decisions; tial advantages, such as proximity ities that are seen to constitute what is Recommendations to home workers, between borrower and lender, immedi- popularly, and sometimes, pejorative- and to supplement them by standards (b) persons with employee status do acy of loan disbursement, small loan ly, referred to as informal sector activ- which take into account the special not become homeworkers within the size, flexible repayment schedules and ities: from home-based petty trade, characteristics of home work, and meaning of this Convention simply minimal collateral requirements, they commodity production or provision of by occasionally performing their can be costly and discriminatory. services by poor women to similarly Having decided upon the adoption of work as employees at home, rather home-based highly-paid work by pro- certain proposals with regard to home than at their usual workplaces; Formal financial institutions are even fessional consultants; from 'recycling' work, which is the fourth item on the less receptive and welcoming to waste and living off the refuse of oth- agenda of the session, and (c) the term [ employer ] means a per- female entrepreneurs. Their collateral ers to hawking to trafficking in illicit son, natural or legal, who, either requirements, bureaucratic loan appli- goods to commercial sex work. Having determined that these propos- directly or through an intermediary, cation, disbursement procedures, the als shall take the form of an interna- whether or not intermediaries are pro- time and resources necessary to visit Home Based Workers (HBWs) of tional Convention; vided for in national legislation, gives the banks and discriminatory banking Pakistan may they be men or women out home work in pursuance of his or culture virtually exclude poor women and who are workers and working 12- adopts, this twentieth day of June of her business activity. as clients. The provision of sustain- 16 hours a day, but are not considered the year one thousand nine hundred (This Convention can be accessed online at : able access to financial services for as "workers". They contribute in the and ninety-six, the following http://www.ilo.org) women has therefore become a core national economy and add to the fig- component of many women's micro ures annually but are not considered as enterprise programmes, and is at the laborers, as those are of formal sector. 60 per cent of the women work force in nition of "worker" in the following laws center of the attention of govern- Homebased worker falls under the the country. Most of these home-based and statutes of the country legislation : ments, social partners, civil society informal sector. women workers (HBWWs) are piece 1. Payment of wages Act , 1936 organizations and international rate workers involved in manufacturing 2. West Pakistan Shops and donors. Since ages we have been buying stun- and post manufacturing tasks such as establishment Act , 1969, ning hand made stuff like expensive embroidery, carpet weaving and hand- 3. Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969 While the data about informal activi- hand woven silk carpets, silk scarf's, looms, wood work and other handi- 4. Maternity Benefits Ordinance or ties are somewhat unreliable, there is immaculately designed colorful rugs, crafts, bangle making, dates cleaning Employers Old Age Benefit Act , 1958 consensus that the informal sector is special pulkari work kurties , dresses , and packing prawn peeling and packing steadily growing in almost all develop- leather products like diaries and office , pottery , making incense sticks or The capacity of these poor women to ing countries so much so that it was accessories , paper meshi products, agarbati, filling matches, binding and improve their conditions of living is widely accepted at the South Asian classy and funky bangles, various making boxes, stitching jute bags or constrained by their powerlessness level that there is no policy or legisla- home products like marvellously boories , binding , gem cutting embroi- within political and social systems and tion for the informal sector and specif- designed chikhs , table matts , caps , dering for branded multinational com- is linked directly to inappropriate gov- ically talking about women in the for- and God knows what .Not only this we panies and many other tasks similar to ernment policies, no access to informa- mal sector. — The author is National enjoy buying stuff like this from multi what I have mentioned . tion and resources, poor quality of Manager of HomeNet Pakistan. 4
Journey of HomeNet Pakistan
By Samina Khan women's work in population cen- The event was organized in ing those in the formal sector and sus. 'Other then household what response to the MoWD's commit- non-poor (WB). In 2000, UNIFEM organized a South else are you doing or did last ment to UN-CSW while reporting Asia regional meeting in Kathmandu. year?" this question was added. on CEDAW in May 2007, that it 20% of social protection spend- Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and would work on the issue of ing (0.3% of GDP) is spent on Sri Lanka governments were repre- After 2000 Aurat Foundation start- HBWWs with UNIFEM social safety nets (WB). sented at Secretary level, along with ed mapping non profit and devel- civil society representatives. Sungi, opment organizations working for MoWD's initiative appreciated Safety net spending on the two Aurat Foundation and Roots for Equity disadvantaged including HBWWs main programs (Zakat and Bait- represented Pakistani NGOs. in different capacities. oHomenet Organizations of HomeNet Pk, who ul-Mal) declined from 0.4% of Pakistan started Capacity Building felt that this was an appropriate time to GDP in 1991-92 to 0.14% of Objectives: training courses for HBWWs in move towards formulating a policy to GDP in 2004-05 (WB). 2005 and exposure to marketing protect HBWWs' rights, as Minster for 1. to understand the situation of home- etc.HomeNet Pakistan had aware- Women's Development and Youth The formal organized sector based women workers, who are the ness raising events with women Affairs, in her inaugural address prom- labour force in Pakistan has a backbone of the economy in South parliamentarians at National and ised to get Cabinet approval for a social security system with Asia, and are especially impacted by provincial level. national policy on HBWWs. mandatory contributions from globalization; employers, including inter 2. to evolve a strategy towards policy- In April 2006, Sungi participated Members of HomeNet Pakistan, alia:Pensions through the making and legislation: in Women in Informal Sungi, Aurat Foundation, Hawwa Employees Old Age Benefits & 3. to provide social protection; Employment: Globalizing and Crafts Cooperative, Karavan Crafts Insurance (EOBI); 4. to provide labour rights to home- Organizing (WIEGO) General together with PILER, FIDA, Working based workers. Assembly in South Africa. Women's Association, Labour Health facilities through the Education Foundation, Action Aid Pk, provincial Employees Social The idea of setting up HomeNet South Two major concerns emerged: and others, advocated and lobbied to Security Insurance (ESSIs); Asia was floated and terms of refer- build a conducive environment, policy ence were discussed. Each country Advocacy for social protection and legislation for HBWWs' rights. Workers' Welfare Board (WWB), decided to work towards setting up its for HBWWs; supporting registered workers' national HomeNet. Nepal took the lead In 2007 the Chairperson of families' education and other followed by India, Sri Lanka and Collection of Data and Statistics Parliamentary Standing immediate needs Pakistan (2005). Bangladesh had a on HBWWS. Committee on Women's Bangladesh Homeworkers Association Development called a Standing The Constitution & Legislatures (BHA) since 1986. Pakistan delegation In 2007, Sungi translated into Urdu Committee (SC) meeting, to nominated Aurat Foundation (AF) as and disseminated 6 WIEGO hand- share outcomes of HBWWs con- Articles 37 & 38 provide the focal organization since AF has books on advocacy tools for HBWWs sultation and to obtain inputs for Constitutional guarantees for, offices in all provinces plus: on social protection: formulation of National Policy. inter alia, social protection: "The State is responsible for social In 1982 the preliminary results of 1981 Informal employment and social The SC meeting was attended by security of the people". population census showed that women protection: an introduction it members who were women workers were only 1.76% in livestock Value Chains and social protec- MNAs from various political par- To recognize HBWWs' work, a and agricultural workers and 2.1% tion ties: PPP, MMA, PML(Q) & (N) Parliamentary Resolution was total in Pakistan. Only men were Health insurance and MQM, the Secretary MoWD, passed in the National Assembly counted in family unpaid help but Occupational health and safety DG Health, and reps of Ministries on 3rd April 2007. women were not. Child care of Labour, Education and Organizations, networks and Women's Development. In 2007 a draft Bill on HBWWs 1982 agriculture census 54% alliances UNIFEM, HomeNet Pakistan and was endorsed by a Parliamentary women who were included in the Sungi were invited as observers Standing Committee on Women's labour force survey by simply Regional & National Initiatives Development of the former gov- adding "do you work on your The Ministry of Women's ernment. own family farm" A woman Parliamentarian, the Development requested Sungi's Secretary MoWD (GoP), Aurat assistance to prepare a draft The Balochistan Provincial 1983 AF lobbied with govt. to Foundation & Sungi (besides others) National Policy on HBWWS. Assembly passed a Resolution on change the definition of work attended UNIFEM's South Asian HBWWs (drafted by HomeNet from paid to unpaid for recogni- Regional meeting on HBWWs (Delhi, Drafting of a National Policy on Pakistan) on 31st May 2007. tion of women's work Jan.2007) to prepare a Regional Plan HBWWs in Pakistan, is based on: of Action for HBWWS. literature review including GoP's Concluding thought… AF conducted research with the draft National Employment support of ILO in 1988 on piece- During 2007, Sungi, together with Policy (NEP) and draft Once the Policy is in place, there is a rate women workers in Punjab, Action Aid Pk, organized a series of Employment and Services need for the Govt. to work together with consultations to take forward the Condition Act (2007), with refer- HBWWs, NGOs and the private sector AF convened 1st national Peasant Regional recommendations - with ence to HBWWs and consulta- to develop a comprehensive action plan Women's conference in 1991 HBWWs, entrepreneurs, govt. line tions with stakeholders; and an enabling, conducive environ- where the informal sector the department reps, parliamentarians, ment, through a consultative process, to issue of non recognition of civil society, the private sector and the Consultation for a situation review and facilitate and support the empowerment women's work came out as a glar- media. inputs to the draft policy with stake- and development of home-based ing concern. holders Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar and women workers, in a non-threatening or Consolidated findings / recom- Lahore with the relevant govt. depts, intrusive manner, according to their Sungi working for rights of mendations of these consultations NGOs & HBWWs for; Sharing of draft own wishes and aspirations. —The HBWWs since 1994 in Hazara were presented to the MoWD for with stakeholders; author is Exective Director of Sungi (NWFP) by raising awareness on incorporating in the national poli- Development Foundation fair trade practices among pro- cy on HBWWs and for ratifica- Pakistan-Specific Govt. Data ducers, entrepreneurs and buyers, tion ILO Convention 177. (The presentation was made at South (member of HomeNet Pakistan Pakistan spends 1.4% of GDP on Asian Reginal Consultation jointly and International Fair Trade The MoWD requested Sungi and social protection (World Bank). organized by HomeNet Pakistan, Association (IFAT) UNIFEM to collaborate in organ- HomeNet South Asia, Aurat izing a two-day national consulta- 80% of Pakistan social protection Foundation, SUNGI Development 1998 UNIFEM supported AF tion meeting on HBWWs with rel- expenditures are devoted to pen- Foundation, UNIFEM and ILO, at campaign on inclusion of evant stakeholders in June 2007. sions and social security, benefit- Islamabad on 14-15 October 2008) 5
EDITORIAL Conflict in Swat: viable solutions
Pakistan has witnessed a regular pattern of increase Insani Haqooq Itehad (IHI) is a network of rights Taliban continue to have access to sophisticated in the violence related to religious extremism since based civil society organizations and concerned weapons without hindrance; v) Schools are mys- 2002. During 2002-2008, around 1518 citizens individuals of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. On 12 teriously destroyed during curfew hours and no were killed and 2817 were injured in 642 incidents February 2009, the IHI held a public discussion on one is caught. of this kind of violence. The shocking aspect of "Conflict in Swat: Viable Solutions" at Islamabad. Whether they are Taliban or the military, the peo- recent surge in violence is the increasing frequency The main discussion points and recommendations ple are victims of both. If people step out of their of suicide attacks across the country. The magnitude made by the participants are given below: homes during curfew hours they are shot and of suicide attacks is best illustrated by the fact that killed. Children and women are particularly vul- there were 22 suicide attacks in four years i.e. Swat operation is badly affecting women, as they nerable to army attacks. The militants are perpe- between 22 March, 2002 (when the first suicide are barred from working outside the house, and trating horrific cruelties on anyone who opposes attack took place) and 2006, while the figure rose to from going out without a male companion. them. The military operation has seriously 56 attacks in 2007 and 59 in year 2008. The imme- Women and girls are being raped in Taliban con- affected all business activities in the area. diate human loss of this violence were the precious trolled areas. lives: 729 persons in 2007, including 552 civilians A total of 248 schools had been affected The consultation made the fowllowing recommen- and 177 security personnel, who were killed and and119248 girls had been forced to stop their dations: 1,677 persons who were injured in 56 suicide education. attacks, while at least 852 persons, including 712 The military had occupied 28 schools and 8 col- Recommendations: civilians and 140 security personnel, were killed and leges to use them for their stay. more than 1,867 persons were injured in year 2008. Tourism industry has collapsed and livelihoods Indiscriminate shelling and aerial bombing must destroyed in the area. Around 40000 person be stopped, as it killing innocent peoples and This wave of extremism and terrorism, in addition working in hotels had lost their jobs, and they are destroying their property and livelihoods and to immediate loss of lives and economy has signifi- being paid and forced to join the Taliban. other infrastructure. cantly diminished the space for human rights poli- That people don't want Taliban-style sharia and IDPs must immediately be provided with basic tics in Pakistan. The threat to 'right to life' overshad- no special package is needed for Swat. The needs, such as food, shelter, education and health owed the other basic human rights - the right to Constitution of Pakistan is already based on facilities. mobility, livelihoods, speech, education and culture. sharia, thus the Taliban's demand for sharia is All political parties and civil society must force- The extremism is fast tearing apart the socio-cultur- only a political ploy. The problem was in the fully condemn Taliban and militancy and declare al fabric among diverse ethno-culture groups. The delay in delivering justice. their support to the people of Swat and FATA. damage to this socio-cultural fabric, woven by a IDPs are in a dreadful condition. Those in All illegal FM radios that are spewing hate and long socio-political and cultural interaction, in fact, Mingora have insufficient food and no winter violence and terrorizing the people, must be is a loss of humanity and history in the region, clothes. Alternate arrangements for children's closed down and alternate FM radios shall be set because the values and heritage which bring peo- schooling must be made urgently. A permanent up to promote peace and harmony. ples, cultures and gender together to stand for jus- body should be set up to deal with the crisis on Government should ask PTV to telecast more pro- tice loses its significance. The threat to life has thus an emergency basis. We need to be assured that grams in Pushto and other languages as cable significantly reduced space for opportunities in life the government is with us! operators have been forced to close down. and hope for change. The military is not serious in attacking the All decisions related to the Swat operation and Taliban, which is proved by the fact that: internally displaced persons (IDPs) shall be taken The wave of terrorism has also affected the working i) Maulvi Fazlullah's FM radio broadcasts, start- by the elected representatives. of government and non-government institutions and ed five years ago, have not been jammed yet; ii) Government must dispel the impression that by weakening the processes of justice, accountabil- The Taliban leaders have not been captured when Army and Taliban are two sides of the same ity and transparency in formal and informal life. The everyone knows where they could be found; iii) coin.— AF Correspondent civil society, which was emerging in the role of service provider and watch-dog towards peoples' access to basic human rights, has to divert its resources, both human and capital, to the emergency 'Progress of the World's Women 2008/2009: relief and human rights violations in the conflict zone. The marginalized sections of populations Who Answers to Women?’ were further marginalized; the peoples already striv- The UNIFEM's latest report 'Progress of the World's al and sub-national levels in 95 countries. In elections ing for justice were inflicted further injustice; peo- Women 2008/2009: Who Answers to Women?, held in 2007, the average representation of women ple born to live and love were forced to die and released in September 2008, makes some interesting was 19.3% in those countries that used some type of despair. We need to re-collect, re-group and re-ener- observations about the present state of women in electoral quota, as opposed to 14.7% for those coun- gize ourselves with determination to make space for legislatures and governments around the world. It tries without quotas, regardless of electoral system. hope, change and pave the way for realization of our states: "Today there are more women in government Strong Legislation and policy: Higher num- rights, equality and justice for all. than ever before. The proportion of women in bers of women in parliament generally contribute to national assemblies has increased by 8% to the cur- stronger attention to women's issues. A 2008 study rent global average of 18.4% in the decade from of UK politics, for example, confirms that since the 1998 to 2008, compared to an increase of just 1% in number of women in parliament doubled to 18.2% the two decades after 1975. Yet even at the current since the 1997 election, issues of particular impor- rate of increase, developing countries will not reach tance to women - such as childcare and social pro- the 'party zone' where neither sex holds more than tection - have received more attention. Legislative Watch is produced by the Resource 60% of seats until 2045". Strong implementation: Even when the Service of the Legislative Watch Programme for Women’s Empowerment of Aurat Publication and political will does exist, many governments do not Information Service Foundation at Islamabad. The report highlights that political accountability to have the capacity, resources, or know-how to ensure women requires: that gender equality policies are carried out. In Afghanistan, the government recently committed to Advisory Board: Strong mobilization: Women's movements fast track the increase of women's participation in I.A. Rehman, Tahira Abdullah have played an important role in challenging author- the civil service at all levels to 30% by 2013. itarian regimes in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Nepal, Currently, only 22% of all regular government Editorial Board Peru and the Philippines; in building pressure for employees are women and only 9% of these are at Naeem Mirza, Wasim Wagha peace in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Burundi, the decision-making level. Timor-Leste and the Balkans; in lobbying for leg- Letters, opinions and contributions are welcome. islative change to stop genital mutilation in Senegal The UNIFEM report concludes at some point in the Please write to House 19, Street 1, G-6/3, Islamabad Tel: (051) 2277512 - 2277547, Fax: (051) 2822060 and Burkina Faso, guarantee inheritance rights in discussion that "political accountability to women Email: lwprs@af.org.pk Website: www.af.org.pk Rwanda, and promote rights in marriage in Brazil begins with increasing the number of women in deci- and Turkey. sion-making positions, but it cannot stop there. It The contributions or opinions, other than by the Aurat Strong representation: Quotas and other tem- requires governance reforms that equip public insti- Foundation, reflect the views of the individual contrib- porary special measures, such as reserved seats, are a tutions with the incentives, skills, information and utors and do not necessarily always reflect the views proven means for supporting women's engagement in procedures to respond to women's needs". — AF of the organization. political competition; they are currently used at nation- Correspondent 6
CEDAW Committee's Concluding Observations on
Pakistan's Country Report Pakistan acceded to the Convention on Women in 2002; and in 2005, the machinery by providing it with ade- State party should amend the the Elimination of All Forms of Gender Reforms Action Plan; the quate human and financial resources so Prevention and Control of Human Discrimination against Women establishment of National Commission as to make it more effective in carrying Trafficking Ordinance of 2002 (CEDAW) on 12 April 1996. Countries on the Status of Women in 2000; and out its mandate. This should, in partic- The Committee encourages the that have ratified or acceded to the the establishment, in 1989, of the First ular, include sufficient capacity and State party to take sustained measures, Convention (CEDAW) are legally Women's Bank. authority for coordination of the vari- including temporary special measures bound to put its provisions into prac- The Committee welcomes the ini- ous gender equality mechanisms to in accordance with article 4, paragraph tice. They are also committed to sub- tiatives undertaken to provide support proactively implement the Convention. 1, of the Convention to accelerate the mit national reports, at least every four to women victims of violence, includ- The Committee notes with concern increase in the representation of years, on measures they have taken to ing the creation, by the Ministry of the that violence against women and girls women in elected and appointed bodies comply with their treaty obligations. In Interior, of the Gender Crime Cell in persists, including domestic violence, in all areas of public and political life. Pakistan Ministry of Women's the National Police Bureau and the rape and crimes committed in the name The Committee urges the State Development is responsible for the establishment of a Human Rights Wing of honour. The Committee is especially party to step up its efforts to ensure CEDAW Country Report, in consulta- under the Ministry of Law, Justice and concerned about the Qisas and Diyat universal registration of births and tion with key line ministries. Pakistan Human Rights, mandated to address law, which allows for the victim of vio- marriages and to ensure that all women Compliance report was due with in a human rights violations in the country lence or his/her heir to determine have national identity cards. year's time but somehow it could not with a special reference to women. whether to exact retribution (Qisas) or The Committee calls upon the be produced along with subsequent payment of compensation (Diyat) or to State party to place high priority on the two periodic reports. The Ministry of Principal subjects of concern pardon the accused, thus providing reduction of the illiteracy rate of Women Development prepared the impunity for perpetrators of violence women, in particular those who are combined initial, second and third The Committee express following con- against women, especially perpetrators from rural areas. periodic report of Pakistan, covering cerns over the report: of crimes committed in the name of The Committee urges the State the period up to December 2004, honour. The Committee notes with con- party to ensure equal opportunities for which was later extended upto 2006, in The Committee urges the State cern the lack of data on all forms of vio- women and men in the labour market; response to some queries by the party to withdraw its declaration to the lence against women in the report. the Committee also calls upon the CEDAW Committee. Convention without delay. The Committee urges the State State party to ratify the International The Committee recommends that party to accord priority attention to the Labour Organization (ILO) The Government of Pakistan presented a definition of discrimination against adoption of a comprehensive approach Convention No. 177 on Home Work. this combined initial, second and third women in line with article 1 of the to address all forms of violence against The Committee calls on the State periodic report before CEDAW Expert Convention, which encompasses both women and girls, taking into account party to take concrete measures to Committee on 22 May 2007 in its 38th direct and indirect discrimination, and the Committee's general recommenda- enhance women's access to health care, session at the United Nations in New provisions on the equality of women tion 19 on violence against women. in particular to sexual and reproductive York. The Committee considered the with men in line with article 2 (a) of The Committee calls on the State party health services report and after discussions delivered the Convention be included in the to ensure that the Qisas and Diyat law The Committee urges the State the following concluding observations: Constitution or in other appropriate has no application in cases of violence party to pay special attention to the [we are reproducing below most of legislation. against women, especially crimes com- needs of rural women and women with these for public knowledge while sum- The Committee calls upon the mitted in the name of honour, and to disabilities marizing some of the observations] State party to undertake a comprehen- adopt the Bill on Domestic Violence, The Committee urges the State sive and systematic review and revision within a clear time frame, in order to party to amend the Dissolution of The Committee commends the of all discriminatory legislation, includ- ensure that women and girls who are Muslim Marriage Act of 1939 to elim- State party for its accession to the ing the Citizenship Act of 1951, the victims of violence have access to pro- inate all discriminatory provisions, Convention on the Elimination of All Law of Evidence of 1984 and the tection and effective redress and that The Committee encourages the Forms of Discrimination against Hudood Ordinances of 1979, without perpetrators of such acts are effectively State party to ratify the Optional Women. It expresses its appreciation to delay and with time-bound targets, in prosecuted and punished. Protocol to the CEDAW and to accept, the State party for its combined initial, order to achieve full compliance with The Committee urges the State as soon as possible, second and third periodic report. all the provisions of the Convention and party to, without delay, implement the The Committee urges the State the Committee's general recommenda- judgment of the superior court to elimi- party to utilize fully in its implemen- Positive aspects: tions, in consultation with civil society, nate informal dispute resolution forums tation of its obligations under the including women's organizations. (jirgas) and to ensure that members of Convention, the Beijing Declaration The Committee commends and appre- While welcoming the efforts of the such forums who have participated in and Platform for Action, The ciated the State party on its following Ministry of Women Development and decisions that constitute violence Committee also emphasizes that a steps: the National Commission on the Status against women are held accountable. full and effective implementation of of Women, the Committee is concerned The Committee is strongly con- the Convention is indispensable for On legal reforms aimed at elimi- that the national machinery for the cerned about pervasive patriarchal atti- achieving the Millennium nating discrimination against women advancement of women does not have tudes and deep-rooted traditional and Development Goals. The Committee and promoting gender equality; and enough authority or the human and cultural stereotypes regarding the roles encourages the Government of increasing women's political participa- financial resources to comprehensively and responsibilities of women and men Pakistan to consider ratifying the tion in the National Assembly and the carry out its mandate and promote the in the family, in the workplace and in treaties to which it is not yet a party. Senate; and the 2000 amendment to the advancement of women and gender society, which constitute serious obsta- The Committee requests the wide dis- Pakistani Citizenship Act, 1951, pro- equality. It is also concerned about the cles to women's enjoyment of their semination in Pakistan of the present viding for nationality to the children of limited capacity of the Ministry of human rights and impede the full concluding comments in order to foreign spouses; Women Development to undertake implementation of the Convention. make the people, including govern- The adoption, in 2002, of the effective coordination and cooperation The Committee is also concerned that ment officials, politicians, parliamen- Prevention and Control of Human with all gender equality mechanisms at prevailing trends of fundamentalism, tarians and women's and human Trafficking Ordinance; the adoption, in the federal and provincial levels, as intimidation and violence incited by rights organizations, aware of the 2004, of the Criminal Law well as cooperation with women's non-State actors, including through steps that have been taken to ensure Amendment Act to facilitate prosecu- organizations. The Committee is fur- illegal media, are seriously undermin- de jure and de facto equality of tion of "honour killing"; the adoption, ther concerned about the lack of an ing women's enjoyment of their human women and the further steps that are in 2006, of the Protection of Women effective mechanism to monitor the rights in the name of religion. required in that regard. The (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act implementation of the National Plan of The Committee remains con- Committee requests the State party to amending some of the Hudood Action and the Gender Reform Action cerned that The Prevention and respond to the concerns expressed in Ordinances; the adoption of the Plan based on the standards and provi- Control of Human Trafficking the present concluding comments in National Plan of Action, in 1998; the sions of the Convention. Ordinance of 2002 does not adequate- its next periodic report under article adoption of National Policy for The Committee recommends that ly address the needs of women and 18 of the Convention, which is due in Advancement and Empowerment of the State party strengthen the national girls who are victims of trafficking; the April 2009. —AF Correspondent 7
Violence against women in Pakistan during 2008
A total of 7571 cases of violence The District Lahore has the highest Abduction and Suicide: In contrast to ruins the lives of the women along against women were recorded all over crime rate in terms of the incidents of 'honour' killings which were commit- with their family and children for the Pakistan during 2008. Of these, 4416 violence against women with 911 ted more in numbers in Sindh and rest of their lives, with the situation cases of violence were recorded in cases out of a total of 7571 cases in Balochistan, the highest number of going even worse when they do not Punjab, followed by 1380 in Sindh, Pakistan and a total of 4416 cases in cases of abductions of women find any recourse to justice. 779 in NWFP, 767 in Balochistan and Punjab; followed by Faisalabad (494); occurred in Punjab. 209 in Islamabad Capital Territory Rawalpindi (492); Quetta (334); The highest number of cases of rape (Islamabad). These incidents of vio- Peshawar (331); Sheikhupura (322); In fact, abductions or kidnappings of and gang-rape were committed in lence against women occurred during a Multan (235); Islamabad (209); Kasur women appeared to be a major crime Punjab, i.e. 608 of the total 778 cases period of one year commencing from 1 (196); Gujranwala (184); Sahiwal in Punjab, and 1439 cases of abduc- (365 or 77% cases of rape and 243 or January 2008 and ending at 31 (176) and Karachi (163). tions out of the total of 1784 abduc- 80% cases of gang-rape), or 78% of December 2008. Almost 90% of these tions occurred in the province of the total cases. Sindh, too, have a high- cases were reported in the print media Murder and 'Honour' Killing: The Punjab, which is 81% of the total fig- er degree of occurrence of this crime and were picked from there by the prevalence of the crimes of murder and ure in the province, meaning thereby and 139 (18%) cases of rape and gang- Aurat Foundation's teams. Out of a 'honour' killing in the four provinces that four women were reportedly rape (85 or 18% cases of rape and 54 total of 7571 cases of violence against and Islamabad Capital Territory is abducted everyday on an average in or 18% cases of gang-rape) were women in Pakistan, the offence-wise broadly shown in the graphs below. Of Punjab. Also alarming and quite reported form the province. In NWFP and province-wise breakdown is as fol- the total 1,422 cases of murder, there 'unthinkable' is the figure of abduc- and Balochistan, the incidents of lows: were 695 (49%) cases from Punjab; tions from Islamabad as compared to rape/gang-rape were reported signifi- 352 (25%) from NWFP; 240 (17%) the provinces of NWFP and cantly less than other provinces, 9 and According to the statistics gathered from Sindh; 115 (8%) from Balochistan. 12 cases, respectively. However, there primarily through Aurat Foundation's Balochistan and the remaining 20 (1%) were ten such incidents in Islamabad Press Clipping Service, the crime rate cases from Islamabad. The total numbers of reported cases of during 2008. of violence against women is on much higher side in big cities or the main Acid throwing and stove burning: urban centres of the country, including Acid throwing and stove burning are the federal and provincial capitals. the most ignominious of all gender- based crimes. Acid throwing is a form During the first quarter of the 2008, of violent assault. Perpetrators of these there were 1172 cases in Pakistan (545 attacks throw acid at women, usually in Punjab; 275 in Sindh; 160 in NWFP; on their faces, burning them and muti- 149 in Balochistan; 43 in Islamabad); lating and damaging their skin tissues, there were 1669 cases in second quar- often exposing and sometimes dissolv- ter (878 in Punjab; 325 in Sindh; 170 ing the bones. The consequences of in NWFP; 233 in Balochistan; 63 in these attacks include blindness and Islamabad); 2580 cases in third quarter permanent scarring of the face and (1600 in Punjab; 428 in Sindh; 267 in body. NWFP; 219 in Balochistan; 66 in Islamabad and; 2150 cases in fourth In majority of the cases, the motives quarter (1393 in Punjab; 352 in Sindh; behind the offence are domestic con- 202 in NWFP; 166 in Balochistan; 37 flict or husband's desire to remarry, in Islamabad). demand of dowry items, demand of divorce or showing resistance against It appears from the data collected and husband's second marriage In most of presented below in tabular form that the cases the perpetrators were in-laws, over half of the total cases of VAW specially husbands of the victims/sur- were occurred in Punjab i.e. 4416 out vivors. It was found that most of the of 7571 with the percentage of the total victims were young married women, at 58%. In Sindh, the number of such and also daughters-in law. incidents was 1380 with 18 percent of the total cases. In NWFP, the number Domestic Violence: Overall, the of cases were799 (11%), and in number of cases in the category of Balochistan the number of such cases During 2008, 475 women were killed suicide were 599 in 2008, according to domestic violence is small i.e. 281 was 767 (10%). In Islamabad, the in the name of 'honour' (karo kari) all the media scanning by the Aurat (out of a total of 7571). However, it number of these cases was 209 (3%). over Pakistan. Out of these 475 cases, Foundation teams. Unfortunately like was observed that the majority of the 244 (51.37%) were reported from the abductions, the highest number of cases in the category of hurt and body It is observed from the data produced Sindh; 127 (26.74%) cases mainly cases of suicide occurred in Punjab, (846), as well as, 312 cases of torture, above that murders of women have from some districts of Balochistan, 89 followed by Sindh and NWFP with 172 cases of sexual assault, 74 cases occurred with some similar propor- (18.74%) from Punjab; 13 (2.74%) high percentages. 362 (61%) women of threat to violence, and even 61 tions in all provinces and Islamabad, from NWFP and 2 (0.42%) cases from committed suicide in Punjab in 2008, cases of stove burning were related to though most cases of murder have Islamabad. followed by 146 (24%) in Sindh and one or the other form of domestic vio- occurred in Punjab, followed by 66 (11%) in NWFP. There have been lence, mostly relating to physical vio- NWFP. Twenty women were killed The cases of 'honour' killing are found 18 (3%) cases of suicide from lence within the domestic sphere. even in Islamabad in 2008. However, to be higher in rural/tribal areas where Balochistan and 7 (1%) of the total This brings the total number of cases, killings of women in the name of 'hon- jirgas and panchyat system is still cases of suicide from Islamabad. having some linkage with the domes- our' are mostly committed in Sindh and operational and override the law of tic violence, to roughly about 1746 Balochistan, and more noticeably, in the land and formal institutions of Rape/gang-rape: Most regrettably cases out of a total of 7571 during some districts of the two provinces sit- conflict resolutions. The highest cases and shamefully, the numbers of inci- 2008. The percentage is around 23.06. uated in close proximity to each other of 'honour' killings were reported dents of rape and gang-rape also form Sadly, it is a huge ratio of the total fig- forming a geographical belt. from the following districts of a very high percentage of all the crimes ures suggesting the wide prevalence Pakistan: 44 from Jaffarabad; 31 from committed against women, i.e. overall of domestic violence in Pakistan This is also surprising that out of the Naseerabad; 36 cases from Ghotki; 28 778 such incidents occurred in 2008 in despite the non-inclusion of data in 12 districts where at least 150 or more from Kashmore; 27 from Shikarpur; different parts of the country. This the present report about the emotional cases of violence against women were 24 from Sukkur; 29 from Jacobabad; shows the extent of suppression and and psychological violence against actually reported, 8 were in Punjab; 25 from Khairpur Mirs; 11 from humiliation creeping into the society women due to its non-availability for and 7 of all the 12 districts were City Qambar Ali Khan Shahdad Kot; and and how women are being made vic- various reasons mentioned earlier. — Governments. 16 from Lahore. tims of this most heinous crime which AF Correspondent 8 Civil Society Events
AF study praises performance of women parliamentarians Long March
for Justice of the 12th National Assembly Karachi: In support of lawyers' move- In order to critically see women parlia- ment, Aurat in collaboration with civil mentarians' performance in the 12th society organizations gathered at High National Assembly (2002-07), and Court in small groups to avoid the vio- document and highlight their achieve- lation of Section 144. Mr Rasheed A ments, Aurat Foundation did a detailed Rizvi, president of the Sindh High study, titled "Five Year Report on: - Court Bar Association, and eminent Performance of Women lawyer Mr Munir A Malik addressed Parliamentarians in the 12th National the lawyers, civil society members and Assembly (2002-2007)", in 2008. political workers that the struggle The study was first inaugurated by Ms Sherry Rehman, former Minister for Information, on 5 March 2009 at Islamabad, and followed by regional launch at all the four provincial head- quarters. The study not only attracted the parliamentarians, concerned civil society but equally inspired the print Ms Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Information, addressing at the launching media where eminent journalists wrote ceremony of the report on Performance of Women Parliamentarians at Islamabad. their analysis and opinion on the study. March 2009. At Lahore, the study was the inaugural ceremony of the report At Peshawar, Provincial Minister for inaugurated by Ms Yasmeen Rehman on 28 March 2009 which was chaired Social Welfare, Ms Sitara Ayaz inau- and Ms Beelum Hasnain, on 31 by Ms Rubina Irfan, Ministers for Law would succeed and would continue till gurated the Five Year Report on 26 March. The LWP-WE Quetta staff held & Parliamentary Affairs, Balochistan. the re-instatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (Mr Chaudhry was re-instated as Chief Justice of Pakistan on 16 March 2009). During the protest demonstration, Aurat's team including Ms Anis Haroon, the Resident Director, Karachi, were dragged and taken to the police station. During the long march, LWP- WE coordinator Ms Rubina Brohi, along with the LWG member Ms Noor Ms Yasmeen Rehman, Ms Naz Agha Advocate, also had a meeting Ms Shabina Ayaz presenting the report Beelum Hasnain, Justice (R) with the Chief Justice of Pakistan Ms Rubina Irfan, Ministers for Law & Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to dis- to Ms Sitara Ayaz, Provincial Minister Nasira Iqbal and Ms Mehnaz Parliamentary Affairs, Balochistan, chairing the for Social Welfare, at Peshawar. Rafi at the Lahore ceremony. cuss the lawyers movement. report launch at Quetta.
Balochistan’s Resolution on rights of HBWs Gender and Water Insights -
On 20 March 2009, Minister for Law home Based workers are working in and Parliamentary Affairs, Balochistan their houses seeking work from the the Case of Pakistan Assembly Ms Rubina Irfan tabled a contractors to earn their livelihood; Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with DAMAAN Development Organization resolution on the rights of Home-based they do not have opportunity to get jobs and SUNGI Development Foundation, organized a seminar and travel exhibition Women Workers (HBWs), whereas Ms in factories. Further the contractors on 'Gender and Water Insights, Innovations and Transformation - the Case of Ghazala Gola, Minister for Women engage them with petty works or they Pakistan', in Islamabad on 13th March 2009. Ms Zil-e-Huma, MNA and Development and Ms Roqayya themselves work in their houses for Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Women Development participated as Chief Hashmi seconded it. After discussion, earning income. The resolution said: “If we desire to save Pakistan from this Guest. Among various strategies of highlighting the gender and water relation, the House passed the resolution unani- Travelling Exhibition (TE) is a new concept which has been on show in Latin mously. terrible situation, and want to develop America for the past 1.5 years, as well as in South Africa and now embarking on it in real means, then we must have to South Asian. In South Asian, the travel exhibition on gender and water has been The resolution asked the provincial include and consider all labor workers on display in six government that it should approachethe and especially women workers in countries, namely federal government with the informa- Labour Laws and funds should be allo- Bangladesh, Bhutan, tion about the present situation of cated for their development in order to India, Nepal, Pakistan women workers. The great numbers of protect them under Labour Laws." and Sri Lanka. Dr Zil- e-Huma agreed that there is a need to incorporate the gen- der and water as sepa- rate segment in the National Policy on W o m e n ' s Development. She said that she would take up the issue in the parliament and Wasim Wagha explaning features of the exhibition to Dr expected that her men Zil-e-Huma, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary MoWD colleagues in the National Assembly would support the cause of gender and water justice. Some participants pointed out that Radio Pakistan, in its programme for farmers, uses the terms 'kashtkar bhaio' (cultivator brothers) which sends the message as if the cultivation or farming is only a men's business. It was agreed that the participat- ing organizations would write letters to Radio Pakistan to sensitize its broadcast- The participants of a two-day training workshop on 'Women Participation in er / announcers to address 'kashtkar behno aur bhaio' (the cultivators brothers and Political Process', organised by Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with The Asia sisters). Mr Naeem Mirza, Ms Farhana Wagha, Mr Mohsin Baber and Mr Wasim Foundation in Karachi on 13 January 2009. Wagha also spoke on the occasion.