Title: Community Dialogue on Women’s Empowerment through Awareness of Their Rights, Responsibilities, and Participation in Decision-Making
Title: Community Dialogue on Women’s Empowerment through Awareness of Their Rights, Responsibilities, and Participation in Decision-Making
Venue: Nankana Sahib, Punjab Province
Date: Wednesday, 20th September 2023
Transparency International Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pehchan Welfare Society Organization organized a one-day Community Dialogue in Nankana Sahib, Punjab on Wednesday, 20th September 2023. The dialogue aimed to raise awareness about gender issues and disparities, women’s rights, and encourage their active participation in political decision-making.
Approximately 50 participants attended the dialogue including representatives from community-led organizations, elected local government councilors, civil society representatives, teachers, youth, and staff nurses.
The workshop commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Following the introduction of the participants, Ms. Nasreen Memon, Gender Resource Person from TI Pakistan, welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the workshop. She clarified the distinction between gender and corruption, emphasizing that gender pertains to social, cultural, and psychological characteristics, while corruption involves the abuse of power, position, or authority for personal gain.
During the community dialogue, participants exchanged information, shared personal stories, experiences, viewpoints, and solutions. Ms. Koomal, a young woman, shared her personal story, expressing her grievance regarding an arranged marriage where her rights were violated because her parents did not ensure she understood the marriage contract’s terms.
Ms. Rani, an elected councilor and Komal’s mother acknowledged the challenges in changing community mindsets regarding women’s rights but expressed determination for the need to continue work to ensure equal participation of women in every walk of life. She stressed on the importance of women’s rights and highlighted the significance of marriage contracts in protecting those rights.
Ms. Nasreen Memon, Gender Resource Person TI Pakistan further emphasized on the gendered dimension of corruption and its impact on women’s access to public services. She discussed how corruption can manifest as domestic and other forms of violence against women, limited access to education and other public service deliveries, and inadequate healthcare, all of which are violations of women’s rights.
Ms. Safia, a staff nurse, emphasized the profound impact of gender-related issues on individuals’ well-being, opportunities, and quality of life. She noted that gender inequality can lead to disparities in various aspects of life.
Ms. Amna, a housewife, shared concerns about verbal marriages without written terms and alterations to the Nikahnama (marriage contract). Ms. Nasreen stressed the importance of women reading and understanding the Nikahnama to ensure it protects their rights.
Participants highlighted the role of elder women and community leaders in raising awareness among women and encouraging them to demand their rights. They discussed the possibility of including terms in the marriage contract to prevent practices that foster gender-based inequality. Participants were briefed in detail about TI Pakistan Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) and the free legal advice it offers to the citizens and communities to seek redress for their grievances. Participants were also encouraged to use TI Pakistan ALAC to obtain legal advice for their problems.
Mr. Abid Ali Abid, Chairman of the Pehchan Welfare Society Organization, encouraged women to engage in community service, volunteering, and the political process to amplify their voices. He explained the electoral process, voter registration, accessing voter lists, and lodging complaints, emphasizing the importance of informed voting decisions.
In conclusion, community women and partner organization thanked TI Pakistan for organizing the event and requested monthly community awareness sessions on women rights.
