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Women, Peace and Security Initiatives: Pakistan
In-country | International

In-Country

Campaign Against the Hudood Ordinance
11 August 2004
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Women's Action Forum (WAF) held a demonstration
on Tuesday demanding the government repeal all discriminatory laws, especially the Hudood
Ordinance. They said the unjustice being done in the name of the Hudood Ordinance was unbearable. They said that the law had badly affected society. "The Hudood Ordinance and other discriminatory laws have not only given a bad name to our religion, but defamed Pakistan in the world. They also demanded the abolition of Qisas and Diat laws, the blasphemy law and other discriminatory laws against women and minorities. A representative told Daily Times that the JAC had started a signature campaign against the laws. "The government should not try to hide itself behind the curtain of the Council of Islamic Ideology and should move a Hudood Ordinance repeal bill in the National Assembly immediately," she said. She also said that 18 of 22 sections of the law were complicated and vague, therefore there was no need to amend the law; it should be repealed. The JAC and the WAF also announced rallies and demonstrations 18 Punjab districts in this month to raise their demand of repealing the discriminatory laws. For more information, please write to P.O. Box 3328, Gulberg II, Lahore 54660 Pakistan, or call (+92-42) 757-7090

Creating Economic Opportunities for Pakistani Women
KASHF sponsored by GlobalGiving
July 2004
Women in Pakistan face especially formidable obstacles in their search for better lives and opportunities for themselves and their children. Pursuit of economic activities that might better their conditions is constrained not only by cultural traditions but also by lack of access to even the very modest financial resources often needed for such pursuits and to training and support services that would help assure success. KASHF will provide small loans to women to launch new income-generating activities. Through this one year project, KASHF will help village women organize themselves and provide basic business and literacy training. They are currently fundraising to sustain this project, and have a current need of $10, 000. To learn more and/or donate, please click here.

Women's Bill Introduced in Pakistan
March, 31 2004
A bill to abolish laws that discriminate against women in Pakistan has been presented before Pakistan's parliament. The Protection and Empowerment of Women Bill has received split views from members of Parliament. According to BBC News, conservatives want to keep the current laws because they were made in the name of Islam under General Zia-ul-Haw in 1979. Click Here for more information.

Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
November 25 – December 10, 2003
Like every year, Working Women Organization is organizing the campaign on “Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” from November 25 to December 10, 2003. The main purpose of this campaign is to aware, to educate the civil society organization, professionals, trade unions and people to understand that how this curse is badly effecting the women lives and great hindrance for the development of nation. During this campaign WWO put more stress and draw attention to the sensitivity of the issue, and to motivate people to raise their voice against this crime. WWO strongly condemns all kinds of violence and discrimination against women. To read the full list of activities Click Here. For more information contact the Working Women Organization. For the final report Click Here.

Non-Military Variables of Security: Voices from Pakistan
February, 2001
Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP) organized a roundtable to address the issue of human security in Pakistan. A group of young Pakistani scholars and professionals shared their views and concerns regarding refugees, displaced persons, and sustainable development, among others. Also, they discussed the growing recognition of the necessity of moving from an exclusive preoccupation with "national" security, towards a more inclusive concept of "human" security. To order the Voices from Pakistan: Non-Military Variables of Security Report please contact WISCOMP. For more information visit Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace.

International

Stop Violence Against Women in Pakistan 2004
Human Rights Watch
Domestic violence, including acid attacks and burnings by fire, has been estimated to occur in 80 percent of all households in the country. Hundreds of women and girls are murdered each year in the name of family “honor” by their relatives for allegedly transgressing cultural norms for female behavior. Human Rights Watch calls individuals world-wide to write to President Musharraf and the Government of Pakistan urging them to adopt stronger laws and practices to protect women’s human rights. To sign-up the letter Click Here. For a report on violence against women in Pakistan Click Here. For more information visit Human Rights Watch.

Stop the Violation of Pakistani Women 2004
Amnesty International
Women and girls in Pakistan confront astounding levels of violence. Domestic violence, including acid attacks and burnings by fire, has been estimated to occur in 80 percent of all households in the country, while hundreds of women and girls are murdered each year in the name of family “honor” by their relatives for allegedly transgressing cultural norms for female behavior. Women activists fighting to promote respect for women’s human rights often come under attack themselves. Human Rights Watch has launched a campaign to remove the discriminatory laws combined with harmful customary laws and practices that deny women their human rights in Pakistan. Write to President Musharraf and the Government of Pakistan urging them to adopt stronger laws and practices to protect women’s human rights. Click here for a sample letter and contact information, and click here for more information on the campaign.