Aawaz funded by DFID and rolled out in May 2012, AAWAZ V&A is a 5-year long project to benefit roughly 9 million people in 45 districts of Punjab and KP provinces. The program is a joint venture of a consortium of an international and five (5) leading rights based national organizations. This gigantic effort is
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Sungi Development Foundation (SDF), South Asia Partnership (SAP-PK) and Aurat Foundation (AF) are responsible for implementation of this program at village, UC, Tehsil, district, provincial and national levels. Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is to generate evidence through M&E, research and analysis for policy advocacy in collaboration with other consortium partners.
The ANF will comprise renowned personalities from Parliament, relevant state institutions, academia, media, lawyers and civil society organizations who work towards strengthening democracy and supporting more open, inclusive democratic processes and accountable governance in Pakistan. AAWAZ National Forum (ANF) will be Islamabad based representatives of program partners, elected representatives, nominee from elected representatives
The ANF will serve as the interface between the rights holders and duty bearers. It will develop a concrete evidence based advocacy campaign at the national level around national and international commitments on gender equality in decision-making and protection from violence in the private and in public space. The ANF will develop a comprehensive advocacy
Pakistan is ranked 55th out of 86 in the 2012 on Social Institutions and Gender Index. In Pakistan, there is no constitutional bar on the political participation of women as voters and as candidates. However, women’s representation in national legislature never moved beyond 3%. Gender equality in political arena is still a distant dream for
Peace and harmony is much desired goal for Pakistani society progressively crippled by extremism, violence and fragmentation. Citizens’ in general and youth in particular who are prone and can deflect to extremist agenda were engaged through various activities to strengthen communities’ collective voices.
Output 3 of AAWAZ program refers to introducing and strengthening inclusive and accountable democratic processes by encouraging accountability of all governing tiers by citizens regarding provision of services. Citizen engagement throughout the programme also refers as a cross-cutting thematic area where inclusive approaches are embedded.
AAWAZ is an investigative as well as an implementing programme. It will need rigorous monitoring and evaluation to test the actual effects and assess the potential for scaling up. A Programme Analysis, Research and Results (PARR) facility will be established to conduct on-going independent analysis and assessments of the three substantive outputs of the programme
The youth and women of Pakistan should be encouraged to seek a solution to the conflicts faced by the country. It was stated by participants of conference, held at the Lahore College for Women University’s Gender Studies Department in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO). The conference’s aim was to encourage people to seek
Pakistan has experienced instability under both democratic and military led governments in its 64 year old existence. “Oxford Policy Management 2004 quotes that as a result of unequal and inappropriate allocation of resources in Pakistan, over 50% of the people remain poor, under-educated, excluded from participation in political processes and vulnerable to co-option by radical