CONCEPT NOTE
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN
25th NOVEMBER -10th DECEMBER
2012
Background and significance
The 16 Days of
Activism Against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign originating
from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for
Women's Global Leadership in 1991.
Participants chose the dates November 25- International Day Against Violence Against Women- and
December 10- International Human Rights Day- in order to symbolically
link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such
violence is a violation of human rights.
This 16-day period
also highlights other significant dates including
November 29,
International Women Human Rights Defenders Day,
December 1, World
AIDS Day, and
December 6, this
marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre
December 10,
International Human Right Day
The efforts of women right protection in Pakistan had been quite
effective in Pakistan where campaign actions had contributed a positive role.
Year 2012 being the election year and 16 days of activism may contribute
significantly to protection and safety of women and girls from all forms of
violence and discrimination.
There had been very strong mobilization and advocacy on ending violence
against women by women rights protection networks at micro, meso and macro
level such as EVAW alliance, We Can Campaign, Mumkin Alliance, Women Action
Forum, Joint Action Committee and Legislative Watch Groups. The forthcoming 16
days of activism campaign is providing a space to bring in synergy of all
forums and networks to create a combined effect and generate political
commitment for women right protection especially when the election campaign in
underway.
At the same time it is also important to synergize the local efforts for
women right protection to the global community. With this aim, representatives
from EVAW alliance, UN Women, DFID, AAWAZ consortium partners build a consensus
on the national theme of 16 days campaign in Pakistan. Thus under the global
theme i.e
“From Peace in the home to Peace
in the world”.
The campaign in Pakistan will be
undertaken with the thematic focus on:
"Safety at Home, Public and Work Spaces”
The
campaign will be undertaken by civil society organizations, networks and allies
each having independent ways to bring in innovation as appropriate to the
theme. Some proposed
networks are EVAWG alliance, IHI, We can Campaign, Men Engaged, Women Action Forum,
Legislative Watch Group and many other at provincial and district level. Media
engagements will be used as communication strategy of the campaign.
Campaign focus:
Under
the local theme, it is proposed that following will be the areas for campaign
actions, leaving space for organizations/networks to adopt innovative ways of
campaign actions;
1.
Legislation
Year 2012 being election year
keep strategic importance with regard to pending legislation on women’s right protection.
The campaign days thus be strategically
planned to lobby with the government by appreciating the previous achievements
and demanding consolidation of initiated efforts (pending legislation such as
Comprehensive Acid and Burn Crime Bill and Domestic Violence Bill).
Instead of holding seminars,
protests and rallies, it will be wise to hold special meetings with policy
makers (MNAs, MPAs, senators, and relevant ministries, political party
representatives) for pushing for approval of these pending legislations. These
special meeting should be a series of meetings continued through 16 days.
2. Political Empowerment of
women
The second component that should
be highlighted during this years’ campaign is women’s political empowerment.
Under this component two sub themes are suggested:
·
Protection for right to vote
·
Gender responsive political party
manifesto
3. Safe Access of Girl
Children to Education
Under the overarching local theme
of safety, girls’ safe access to education needs to be focused. Thus raising demand for conducive environment
within and outside schools is another area of attention during the campaign.
Working norms/values:
Working norms/values:
Ø All participating
organizations/networks should all be acting in synergy
Ø All solidarity actions must
ensure a holistic, inclusive, participatory and well coordinated approach
Ø All campaign actions should
maintain the focus keeping in view the respective organizational strategies of
doing campaign.
To bring in synergy and sharing
purpose all participating organizations are proposed to share their plans as
per following matrix which will help in promoting joint actions, ensure
efficient utilization of time and resources.