ISLAMABAD
\nThe Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability \u2013 Free and Fair Election Network (TDEA-FAFEN) showcased the efforts of women political workers and leaders to get their civil and political rights and demonstrate leadership skills through a four-year program, \u2018WE\u2019RE Leaders\u2019 funded by Global Affairs Canada.
\nStarting in 2019, the four-year project was implemented in 20 districts of all four provincial capitals through 19 FAFEN member organizations.
\nThe project also worked with the rights-based commissions, the Election Commission of Pakistan, the National Database and Registration Authority, the media, and other government institutions.
\nCelebrating the successful closeout of the program, Mr. Luke Myers, the Counsellor (Development) and Head of Cooperation, at Global Affairs Canada said the gender gap on the electoral rolls has been minimized due to the collaboration between civil society and the institutions.
\nHe appreciated the increased number of women filing their nomination papers for the general elections 2024, as compared with the previous two general elections.
\nHowever, he emphasized that the reality should not be overlooked as around 13,000 female voters will still be missing in each of the 266 National Assembly constituencies in the upcoming general elections.
\nHe said the project directly engaged with women at the grassroots level, addressed their issues and strengthened the institutions. However, he expressed satisfaction that despite several challenges, the project remained on track and achieved its targets.
\nRepresenting the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), Chairperson Ms. Mossarat Qadeem acknowledged the role of member organizations in addressing the issues of women workers.
\nShe said it was the consistent effort and perseverance of FAFEN members that the gender gap on the electoral rolls has been minimized. She said FAFEN worked with women workers, polling agents, and candidates and urged the political parties to revamp their internal structures by including women workers in their leadership tiers.
\nTDEA\u2019s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Muddassir Rizvi expressed solidarity with the project\u2019s outcome that women should be heard and recognized. He said it was the beginning of a journey. Real change would come when there is a change in the behaviors and attitudes of people.
\nHe said TDEA recently also worked with various media channels, associations, and managers in identifying the stereotypes of women in media. He vowed that TDEA will work with media in the next couple of years as well.
\nThe Chairperson, the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women Ms. Mossarat Qadeem, and the Chairperson, Sindh Human Rights Commission Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho also spoke.
\nEarlier, Rashid Chaudhry, Team Lead, gave a detailed presentation on the project\u2019s objectives, outcomes, achievements, pathways, and lessons learned. TDEA implemented the Women\u2019s Enjoyment of Rights, Empowerment, and Leadership (WE\u2019RE Leaders) project, which aimed at increasing the political empowerment and enjoyment of rights by women, particularly young and marginalized women and those at risk, in Pakistan. This project was part of the Women\u2019s Political Participation in Pakistan program (WPP).
\nWE\u2019RE Leaders made remarkable gains in promoting the political and electoral participation of women. The project bolstered the leadership capabilities of women, empowering them as political workers as well as leaders. Through strategic partnerships with local chapters of political parties, the project effectively engaged and trained political workers, polling agents, and candidates. Simultaneously, WE\u2019RE Leaders successfully helped decrease the gender gap on the electoral rolls across the project districts. Furthermore, the initiative played a pivotal role in improving media coverage of women\u2019s issues and their progressive portrayal and strengthening the rights-based commissions to deliver on their mandates effectively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability \u2013 Free and Fair Election Network (TDEA-FAFEN) showcased the efforts of women political workers and leaders to get their civil and political rights and demonstrate leadership skills through a four-year program, \u2018WE\u2019RE Leaders\u2019 funded by Global Affairs Canada. Starting in 2019, the four-year project was implemented in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-377298","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n