Partner: UNDP
Duration: 2008-2011
Background:
In Pakistan, women are not aware of their legal rights, as well as the rights defined in Islam, which include inheritance rights, matrimonial/conjugal rights, and the right of choice and freedom of speech. Prevailing illiteracy among women and less opportunities to acquire education leaves them in a state of ignorance and exploitation at the hands of men. In Pakistan, patriarchy dominates social structures and perpetuates the rule of men. There are, however, men who are pro-women rights and who do not believe in curbing the rights of women. Following this hypothesis UNDP has taken the initiative to combat Violence Against Women through affirmative community action.
Objective:
Since 1992, SDPI has published research and conducted research based advocacy and training on the area of women empowerment and Gender Equality and continues in this work with the Gender Justice Protection project (GJP), under the sub-theme ‘Combating violence Against Women through community ownership techniques’. The overall objective is to investigate and mainstream community solutions and strategies for combating Violence Against Women.
The project covers three districts of each of the four provinces and includes fieldwork including surveys, community meetings and meetings with local politicians and law enforcement agencies, along with comprehensive literature review