Women's Rights and Literacy Programme - Pakistan

The women participating in the programme were informed about their rights, as articulated in the Constitution of Pakistan and in religious tenents. The literacy course was purchased from a local publisher that supplies non-formal education books designed by UNICEF; the books were used to provide literacy education to the women.

Women, Rights, Education.

Formed in 1999 by social workers, professionals, and community leaders, SHADO is a rights-oriented NGO that advocates for the poor and for marginalised communities.

According to SHADO, Pakistani women are often prohibited from acquiring the education they need to pursue opportunities outside of the home. Young women, they say, are often passed over for educational opportunities when the family income is meager (the male child is given preference in terms of educational needs).

Almost 40 women participated in each of the 3 rights and literacy programmes. Their response to the programme was, according to SHADO, very positive. Some commented that, before attending the training, they were not fully aware of their rights; now, they claim to feel much more authoritative. The women participants vowed to transfer rights-related information to other women in their area. Furthermore, community members asked SHADO to implement more literacy programmes in other remote villages of Sialkot and its adjoining areas.

Since the activities described above, which took place in 2001, SHADO has continued to work for the development and welfare of women in Sialkot. For example, SHADO adapted street plays as a new approach to create awareness. The plots are taken from daily life, and the experience is interactive. SHADO claims that the plays have reached audiences in many venues, bringing the message of women rights to female as well as male audiences and to people of all ages.

In cooperation with the Women’s UN Report Network (WUNRN), SHADO also organised an international workshop in January 2005 to focus on the United Nations (UN) study by UN Special Rapporteur Prof. Abdul Fatheh Amor on “The Status of Women from the Viewpoint of Religion and Traditions". The conference brought together multiple sectors to consider and discuss the rights of women and girls in Pakistan. SHADO indicates that - while giving due respect to diverse religious beliefs and with a spirit of cultural sensitivity - the participants stressed the need to honour and empower women and girls, and set out various development priorities to support that aim. It was resolved that such cross-sector dialogues continue, and that they include balanced representation of both women and men. SHADO hopes that, as an outcome of the conference, specific action projects involving multiple workshop participant organisations can lead to improved quality of life and status of women and girls.