Webinar on Child Early and Forced Marriages (CEFM) and COVID-19
Challenges of dealing with CEFM during humanitarian crisis

03:30 pm (PKT) to 06:00 pm (PKT)
2nd October 2020

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89033673244?pwd=Q09ldE1FazhrT1ZKc2RiVVZ3Ym1ydz09

Meeting ID: 890 3367 3244
Passcode: 902547

About the webinar:
This webinar is being held as part of the South Asian Virtual Conference on Prevention of Forced and Early Marriages during and post COVID-19.

Background:
Shirakat- Partnership for Development with the support MenEngage Alliance global and South Asia is organizing a digital conference on ‘Prevention of Forced and Early Marriages during and post COVID-19’. Child, early, and forced marriage are forms of GBV and violations of human rights. When girls marry young they often drop out of school, experience poor health outcomes, are less economically and agriculturally productive, thus restrain them to use their full potential for their wellbeing. Additionally, poverty, food insecurity, conflict and crisis, cultural traditions, and discrimination towards girls cause a child and forced marriages.

It has been reported in various researches that the ratio of CEFM surge in situations of crisis such as disasters, conflict, and pandemics. Similarly, the COVID-19 is likely to cause an increase in the number of early and forced marriages due to the economic recession and a significant decrease in economic opportunities and loss of employment. According to an estimate by UNICEF and UNWOMEN, coronavirus could put an extra 04 million girls at risk of early and forced marriage. The aim of this digital Conference is to develop strategies and deliberate on engaging men and boys to prevent Child Early and Forced Marriages in the humanitarian crisis in South Asia. The conference also aims to unpack the harmful masculinities which are hindering to curb the social evil early and forced marriages. Experts from other South Asian Countries and Pakistan will be invited digitally to share their perspectives, experiences, and help in developing the discourse on engaging men is pivotal to curtail this jeopardy.

Objectives of the webinar:
1. To preview the state of early and forced marriages in South Asia during COVID-19,
2. To identify factors linked to the outbreak of COVID-19 leading to an increase in early and forced marriages,
3. To deliberate on challenges of dealing with CEFM during the humanitarian crisis

An expert discussion on how gender transformative approaches can be institutionalized and embedded into accountability mechanisms and post legislative scrutiny.

Date: August 12, 2020
Timings: 3:30pm -5:30pm (PKT)
Via Zoom

About the webinar:

This webinar will conclude the series of discussion on pro-women legislation in Pakistan and engaging men at various stages of legislative and implementation processes. Emphasizing the challenges faced in the implementation of pro-women laws such as societal norms around gender, the speakers will share insights on how to institutionalize gender transformative approaches. Reviewing existing accountability mechanisms and post-legislative scrutiny, the discussion will focus on how women and girls who experience violence can be better protected and support services can be strengthened. The discussion on post legislative scrutiny will consider the usefulness of accountability mechanisms available to measure and analyze the state of government institutions tasked with offering protection to women. The speakers will also discuss how men can be engaged to strengthen these mechanisms and institutions.

The discussion will be guided by the following questions:

1. How important is a gender transformative approach in addressing VAWG? In what ways it can be institutionalized? How can it be institutionalized?
2. What revisions are required in accountability mechanisms to ensure effectiveness of pro women legislation?
3. How do men perceive accountability while working on women issues? How is it linked with a gender transformative approach?
4. What strategies can be adopted to strengthen accountability mechanisms within a gender framework once due legislation is in place?
5. How can we ensure that work with men and boys upholds the rights of women and gender minorities and contributes to their empowerment?
6. In a post legislative scenario, how are men’s roles in governance, justice system and administrative bodies, linked with accountability and responsibility?

Background

Pro-women legislation in Pakistan

In recent years, several laws aimed at protecting women’s rights have been passed in Pakistan. These include the Protection for Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2006, Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace 2010, Prevention of Anti- Women Practices Bill, Acid Control and Acid Crimes Prevention Bill 2011, Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Bill and Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2012.

Following the 18th Amendment and the devolution of power to provinces, provincial legislatures have also passed pro-women laws and made amendments to existing laws. These include the Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013, Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2014 and Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016. Additionally, the Hindu Marriage Act 2016 stipulated a marriage registration process for Hindu citizens of Pakistan, allowing Hindu women to legally register their marriage.

These legislative measures are often seen as great steps towards protecting women against gender-based violence and discrimination and touted by policymakers as having improved women’s economic and social position in Pakistan. However, significant gaps remain in the implementation of these laws and the growing number of GBV cases in Pakistan overshadow these legislative achievements.

Status of women in Pakistan

Pakistan ranks 151 out of 153 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020 index, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) only managing to surpass Iraq and Yemen. Pakistan received a score of 150 in economic participation and opportunity, 143 in educational attainment, 149 in health and survival and 93 in political empowerment. A comparison of previous rankings shows that the overall ranking for Pakistan has declined from 112 in 2006 to 151 in 2020. Among the seven South Asian countries included in the index, Pakistan charted at the very bottom. Bangladesh ranked 50, followed by Nepal, 101, Sri Lanka, 102, India, 112, Maldives, 123, and Bhutan, 131. Overall, South Asia has closed two-thirds of its gender gap. The region is home to 860 million women, three-fourths of whom live in India.

According to the Human Development Report 2019, Pakistan reported Gender Development Index (GDI) 0.747 and Gender Inequality Index (GII) 0.547 which was highest in the region. These indicators reflect discrimination faced by women in health, education and command over economic resources. A high GII value reveals the loss in human development due to inequality between women and men in reproductive health, empowerment and economic activity.

Pakistan’s poor performance on these indicators raise questions about the effectiveness of legislative measures aimed at protecting women and reducing gender-based inequalities and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on social and economic life have created additional difficulties for women, with more cases of GBV being reported. Lessons from pandemics in the past also show an increased risk of sexual exploitation of women across the world. If these trends are also witnessed in Pakistan, increased sexual violence, coupled with lack of access to SRH facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic can have disastrous impact on women’s health and overall wellbeing.

Role of men and boys in implementation of pro-women laws:

Several studies point to the importance of engaging men and boys in efforts to reduce GBV. Unpacking masculinities, addressing harmful practices and attitudes by including men and boys in discussions is pivotal in bringing sustained change.

Similarly, when the implementation of pro-women laws in Pakistan is analyzed, police, health and social welfare departments emerge as key institutions where according to the law, response services are centered. Effective implementation would require both structural and non-structural changes in these institutions. Police in Pakistan, for instance, is largely dominated by men who make up around 98 per cent of the force.The police is one of the most important institutions in the implementation of pro-women laws, however, women make up only 1.5 per cent of the force. When analysed through the lens of traditional masculinities, these numbers allude to the impediments to offering quality services to women in accordance with the law. The speakers in this webinar will be discussing the importance of addressing the gender gap in public services, especially those related to the implementation of pro-women laws.

WEBINAR 22nd July, 2020

About the Webinar:
Women Commissions have been established in Pakistan in response to the efforts to ensure equal rights for women and ending gender-based discrimination. At the state level, the setting up of these commissions was a result of Pakistan’s international commitments such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 1995; and National Plan of Action (NPA) for Women 1998. . The first National Commission on Status of Women Pakistan (NCSW) was established in July 2000. The main functions of the Commission on the Status of Women include examination of government policies, programmes and other measures taken for women’s development. The Commission is also responsible for reviewing all policies, laws, rules and regulations affecting the status and rights of women and ensuring gender equality in accordance with the constitution. In February 2020, the Ministry of Human Rights involving the Commission responded to List Of Issues (LoIs) under CEDAW review and mentioned its commitment to engaging men and boys to prevent VAW in communities.
At the provincial level the Punjab Commission on Status of Women, Sindh Commission on Status of Women and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women are actively working to curb VAW in the respective provinces. These Commissions also play their role as statutory and autonomous bodies overseeing the implementation of pro women laws. Their function is to facilitate and monitor the implementation of instruments and obligations affecting women and girls to which Pakistan is a signatory and monitor redressal mechanisms for violence against women.
The webinar will look at the role of Commission but also discuss other institutions such as police departments, health facilities, judiciary and the Ministry of Human Rights in the enforcement of pro-women laws and offering protection to women. The aim of this webinar is to deliberate on functions of these institutions and review their progress in providing protection for women, engaging men and boys using gender transformative approach in Pakistan. During the webinar following questions shall be addressed by the speakers:

1. How effective have these Government machineries been in ensuring of women’s rights and gender equality in the country?
2. How can these institutions engage men and boys to counter gender inequalities with a gender transformative approach?
3. What is the importance of working towards shifting masculinities to sustain interventions around women’s emancipation?
4. In what ways can policies and laws be analyzed to include men’s perspective in enabling transformation in popular masculine attitudes and behaviors at these institutions?

Background

Pro-women legislation in Pakistan

In recent years, several laws aimed at protecting women’s rights have been passed in Pakistan. These include the Protection for Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2006, Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace 2010,   Prevention of Anti- Women Practices Bill, Acid Control and Acid Crimes Prevention Bill 2011, Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Bill and Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2012.

Following the 18^th Amendment and the devolution of power to provinces, provincial legislatures have also passed pro-women laws and made amendments to existing laws. These include the Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013, Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2014 and Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016.  Additionally, the Hindu Marriage Act 2016 stipulated a marriage registration process for Hindu citizens of Pakistan, allowing Hindu women to legally register their marriage.

These legislative measures are often seen as great steps towards protecting women against gender-based violence and discrimination and touted by policymakers as having improved women’s economic and social position in Pakistan. However, significant gaps remain in the implementation of these laws and the growing number of GBV cases in Pakistan overshadow these legislative achievements.

 Status of women in Pakistan 

Pakistan ranks 151 out of 153 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020 index, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) only managing to surpass Iraq and Yemen. Pakistan received a score of 150 in economic participation and opportunity, 143 in educational attainment, 149 in health and survival and 93 in political empowerment. A comparison of previous rankings shows that the overall ranking for Pakistan has declined from 112 in 2006 to 151 in 2020. Among the seven South Asian countries included in the index, Pakistan charted at the very bottom. Bangladesh ranked 50, followed by Nepal, 101, Sri Lanka, 102, India, 112, Maldives, 123, and Bhutan, 131. Overall, South Asia has closed two-thirds of its gender gap. The region is home to 860 million women, three-fourths of whom live in India.

According to the Human Development Report 2019, Pakistan reported Gender Development Index (GDI) 0.747 and Gender Inequality Index (GII) 0.547 which was highest in the region. These indicators reflect discrimination faced by women in health, education and command over economic resources. A high GII value reveals the loss in human development due to inequality between women and men in reproductive health, empowerment and economic activity.

Pakistan’s poor performance on these indicators raise questions about the effectiveness of legislative measures aimed at protecting women and reducing gender-based inequalities and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on social and economic life have created additional difficulties for women, with more cases of GBV being reported.  Lessons from pandemics in the past also show an increased risk of sexual exploitation of women across the world. If these trends are also witnessed in Pakistan, increased sexual violence, coupled with lack of access to SRH facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic can have disastrous impact on women’s health and overall wellbeing.

Role of men and boys in implementation of pro-women laws:

Several studies point to the importance of engaging men and boys in efforts to reduce GBV. Unpacking masculinities, addressing harmful practices and attitudes by including men and boys in discussions is pivotal in bringing sustained change.

Similarly, when the implementation of pro-women laws in Pakistan is analyzed, police, health and social welfare departments emerge as key institutions where according to the law, response services are centered. Effective implementation would require both structural and non-structural changes in these institutions. Police in Pakistan, for instance, is largely dominated by men who make up around 98 per cent of the force.The police is one of the most important institutions in the implementation of pro-women laws, however, women make up only 1.5 per cent of the force. When analysed through the lens of traditional masculinities, these numbers allude to the impediments to offering quality services to women in accordance with the law. The speakers in this webinar will be discussing the importance of addressing the gender gap in public services, especially those related to the implementation of pro-women laws.

Shirakat-Partnership for Development as the Secretariate of MenEngage Alliance Pakistan cordialy invites you to join us for a webinar on “Systemic Barriers and Harmful Masculinities: Analyzing De Facto Challenges in Implementation of Pro Women Laws” to be held on July 15, 2020.
This webinar is a part of series being organized under MenEngage Allinace Pakistan project “Engaging Men and Boys in Accelerating efforts to end GBV in Pakistan” .

LINK TO JOIN: meet.google.com/nfb-nvtw-wmv

SPEAKERS:

• Ms. Joni Van De Sand – Co-Director, Global MenEngage Alliance, Washington, USA
• Mr. Sohail Bawani – Trauma Recovery Practitioner, Former Senior instructor at Agha Khan University, Karachi
• Ms. Neelam Hussain – Executive Coordinator at Simorgh Women’s Resource and Publication Center, Lahore
• Ms. Selina Ahmed – Programme Head – Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Bangladesh

MODRATOR:

• Ms. Shazia Shaheen – Co-chair Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Alliance and Head of Programme, Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Islamabad

ABOUT THE WEBINAR:

Despite the promulgation of pro-women legislation aimed at protecting women’s rights in Pakistan and addressing gender-based discriminations, the enforcement of these laws remains a challenge. Women continue to face difficulties when exercising their right in many areas such as property, divorce or claiming the custody of children.

In addition to societal impediments, women also face system barriers when attempting to access government services and institutions. Deeply entrenched patriarchal values, traditional masculinities and certain attitudes prevent the enforcement of pro-women legislation. On the other hand, judicial systems and laws are not comprehensive enough to offer complete protection to women. For instance, Protection against harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010 did not cover women working in informal sector or free-lance work domains.

Speakers in this webinar will be analyzing the de-facto challenges and gaps in implementation of pro-women legislation in Pakistan. The discussion will be guided by the following questions:

• What are the existing gaps in the pro women legislation? What amendments in the laws are required to ensure protection of women?
• What other factors affect the implementation of these laws? Which patriarchal norms and practices challenge the enforcement of law?
• What role can law enforcement departments/agencies, often dominated by men, play in protection of women?
• What role do traditional masculinities play in obstructing the effective implementation of these laws?
• How are the attitudes of officials serving in respective and relevant government departments are linked in implementation of these laws?
• How can judicial systems and relevant institutions ensure the enforcement of existing laws?
• What role can men and boys play in enforcement of women protection laws?

BACKGROUND:

Pro-women legislation in Pakistan

In recent years, several laws aimed at protecting women’s rights have been passed in Pakistan. These include the Protection for Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2006, Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace 2010, Prevention of Anti- Women Practices Bill, Acid Control and Acid Crimes Prevention Bill 2011, Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Bill and Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2012.

Following the 18th Amendment and the devolution of power to provinces, provincial legislatures have also passed pro-women laws and made amendments to existing laws. These include the Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013, Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2014 and Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016. Additionally, the Hindu Marriage Act 2016 stipulated a marriage registration process for Hindu citizens of Pakistan, allowing Hindu women to legally register their marriage.

These legislative measures are often seen as great steps towards protecting women against gender-based violence and discrimination and touted by policymakers as having improved women’s economic and social position in Pakistan. However, significant gaps remain in the implementation of these laws and the growing number of GBV cases in Pakistan overshadow these legislative achievements.

Status of women in Pakistan  

Pakistan ranks 151 out of 153 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020 index, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) only managing to surpass Iraq and Yemen. Pakistan received a score of 150 in economic participation and opportunity, 143 in educational attainment, 149 in health and survival and 93 in political empowerment. A comparison of previous rankings shows that the overall ranking for Pakistan has declined from 112 in 2006 to 151 in 2020. Among the seven South Asian countries included in the index, Pakistan charted at the very bottom. Bangladesh ranked 50, followed by Nepal, 101, Sri Lanka, 102, India, 112, Maldives, 123, and Bhutan, 131. Overall, South Asia has closed two-thirds of its gender gap. The region is home to 860 million women, three-fourths of whom live in India.

According to the Human Development Report 2019, Pakistan reported Gender Development Index (GDI) 0.747 and Gender Inequality Index (GII) 0.547 which was highest in the region. These indicators reflect discrimination faced by women in health, education and command over economic resources. A high GII value reveals the loss in human development due to inequality between women and men in reproductive health, empowerment and economic activity.

Pakistan’s poor performance on these indicators raise questions about the effectiveness of legislative measures aimed at protecting women and reducing gender-based inequalities and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on social and economic life have created additional difficulties for women, with more cases of GBV being reported. Lessons from pandemics in the past also show an increased risk of sexual exploitation of women across the world. If these trends are also witnessed in Pakistan, increased sexual violence, coupled with lack of access to SRH facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic can have disastrous impact on women’s health and overall well being.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

The webinar series is being organized as part of project by MenEngage Alliance Global tilted “Engaging men and boys in accelerating efforts to end GBV in Pakistan 2019-2020” implemented by Shirakat-Partnership for Development.

This webinar is second in series of webinars on ‘National consultative workshop on gap analysis of pro women legislation’.  First webinar was dedicated to discussion on engaging men to ensure implementation of pro-women legislations in Pakistan. Last two webinars in the series will be on the following topics:

1. Role of Govt. institutions in addressing VAW and transforming masculine behavior and patriarchal norms
2. Accountability mechanisms, gender transformative approaches and post legislative scrutiny

PRESENTATIONS:

• Engaging men in legislation and implementation by Mr. Saffi Ullah Khan
• How to debunk harmful masculinities by Mr. Sohail Bawani
• Systematic Barriers in Implementation of Pro Women Laws- Presepectives from Bangladesh by Ms. Selina Ahmed
• Toxic Masculinities and Harmful Practices by Ms. Neelam Hussain

Shirakat at a Inception workshop organized by Pakistan Alliance for Early childhood (PAFEC) Islamabad Hotel

Shirakat participating in 3 day advocacy training on “FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL (G2L) MENTORING PROGRAMME” organized by International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific. Parallel to the 75th CEDAW Session 6-8 February 2020 in Geneva, Switzerland

Training on “Masculinities and Engaging Men and Boys to End GBV- Gender Transformative Approach”

Shirakat organized one day workshop on “Discussions on Economic Empowerment including Persons with Disabilities: Change Trajectories” in VREDP office, H 8/4, Islamabad. January 26, 2020

Shirakat at a consultation organised by PJN