UN Newsletter Nov-Dec 15

UNITED NATIONS PAKISTAN Newsletter November-December 2015

Focus on Ending violence against women and girls: a top priority.

Violence against women is preventable.

Zero tolerance towards gender-based violence.

Keeping pace with global initiatives.

Let’s work together to end gender based violence.

REAL LIVES: STORIES THAT INSPIRE US Follow your dream.

Page 11

NEWS AND EVENTS

Lets join hands to enhance disaster preparedness and response Page 18

ONE UNITED NATIONS

From landless peasants to successful entrepreneurs.

Page 57

MESSAGES FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists .

Page 61

PHOTO ALBUM We the people.

Page 65

The United Nations Pakistan Newsletter is produced by the United Nations Communications Group

Editor in Chief: Vittorio Cammarota, Director, United Nations Information Centre Sub Editor: Waqas Rafique Producer (photography): Umair Khaliq Graphic Designer: Mirko Neri Contributors: Sajid Abbasi, Qaiser Khan Afridi, Mahira Afzal, Muhammad Ajmal, Rizwana Asad, Alfredo Pérez de Armiñán, Jawad Aziz, Muhammed Benyameen, Syed Saghir Bokhari, Justin D. Brookes, Cayelan C. Carey, Belinda Chanda, Muhammad Nader Farhad, Kendra Gregson, Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Naveed Hussain, Fatimah Inayat, Vibeke Jensen, Lucie Kanova, Abid Niaz Khan, Duniya Aslam Khan, Riaz Karim Khan, Abdul Sami Malik, Mashhood Ahmad Mirza, Zubair Muhammad, Leena Nishtar, Edward Rees, Ishrat Rizvi, Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Zikrea Saleah, Sumaira Samad, Emma Sykes, Faria Salman, Muqaddar Shah, Asif Shahzad, Gita Sen, Hiba Siddiqui, Tabida Siddiqi, Qian Tang, Javaria Tareen, Nida Tariq, Md. Aktar Uddin, Maryam Yunus, Midhat Zaidi Photographers: Asad Zaidi, Atif Mansoor Khan, Faria Salman, Henriette Bjoerge, Ibrahim Khan, Samad Khan, H Kakar

Index United Nations Pakistan / Newsletter / November-December 2015 |4|

Note from the editor

focus on | 5 | Ending violence against women and girls: a

top priority.

| 8 | Zero tolerance towards gender-based violence.

| 7 | Violence against women is preventable.

| 9 | Keeping pace with global initiatives.

real lives: stories that inspire us

|11| Follow your dream |12| You are your own master |13| Where there is a will there is a way |14| Transforming behaviors through School Wash Clubs |15| Drinking water – A luxury for Kareemabad residents |16| Abdullah Magsi: A hero for DarkhanMuhalla |17| Livelihoods and food security of FATA returnees news and events

Violence against Women and Girls” in Pakistan |35| UNIDO Pakistan encourage gender mainstreaming |36| Strengthening Gender and Child Cell |37| UNIDO Pakistan celebrates International Day

on violence against women |38| First center for violence against women

launched in Pakistan |39| In a virtual courtroom |40| Ensuring safe education for all |41| Forensic science laboratoryopens in Malakand |42| Where is my polling station? health and hygiene

agriculture and food security

|43| Health Coverage Day

|18| Lets join hands to enhance disaster

preparedness and response

|44| How can Pakistan end the AIDS epidemic by 2030

cultural heritage

|19| Pakistani cultural and natural sites on

UNESCO tentative list of world heritage children

|20| Remembering victims of Army Public School

Peshawar attack |20| Universal Children’s Day: why fair matters |21| World Prematurity Day - Reducing preterm

births and child deaths drugs and crime

|22| International Anti-Corruption Day

|46| Raising awareness on menstrual hygiene management

|59| UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador stresses on doing more for education on air

|60| Highlighting climate change on PTV World

morning show |60| Pakistani youth for Climate Change on radio |60| Talking about creative ways to highlight

climate change on radio show messages from secretary-general

|61| International Day to End Impunity for Crimes

against Journalists |61| International Day for Preventing the

Exploitation of the Environment in War and

Armed Conflict |62| International Day for Tolerance

|47| New hope for special persons

|62| Africa Industrialization Day

|48| UNAIDS Pakistan marks ‘World AIDS Day 2015’ |49| Adolescent deaths from AIDS on the rise |49| Observing Jacobabad: Baseline study on

WASH services |50| The dangers of being without access to toilets |51| The Urgent Run Pakistan campaign

|24| Training Air Cargo Profiling Unit at Karachi airport

|52| Human Rights through Cinematography

|25| UNDP and TEDx Islamabad on Pakistan’s

climate change adaptation opportunities

guest in town

|47| Radiology department at Khyber Teaching

Hospital, Peshawar upgraded

|23| Combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling

environment/climate change

| 10 | Let’s work together to end gender based violence.

human rights

|53| Poster competition “Our rights. Our freedoms.

Always.” labour

|62| World Toilet Day |62| International Day for the Elimination of Violence

against Women |63| International Day of Solidarity with the

Palestinian People |63| World AIDS Day |63| International Day for the Abolition of Slavery |63| International Day of Persons with Disabilities |63| International Volunteer Day |64| World Soil Day |64| International Day of Commemoration and

Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of

Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

|26| Pakistan success stories enthrall in Italy

|54| Towards a Decent Work Network with academia

|64| International Anti-Corruption Day

|27| United Nations and Aga Khan Foundation visit Chitral

|54| Commitment to eradicate child and bonded

labor from Balochistan

|64| International Migrants Day

|27| Assisting development of reliable flood early

warning system in Pakistan

|55| Ensuring compliance with labor standards

|28| Pakistani Youth for Climate Change

|56| Narratives of empowerment - training

workshop on media reporting

|30| The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

presents Early Recovery Framework gender equality and women’s empowerment

|31| UN Women names MunibaMazari as

Pakistan’s first National Goodwill Ambassador |32| Pakistan monument turns orange |34| Support for “HeForShe”and “Say No! To

|55| Brick kiln children in schools

|64| Human Rights Day |64| International Human Solidarity Day photo album

|65| We the people

one united nations

|57| From landless peasants to successful entrepreneurs |58| National consultation: Goal 4—Education

3

note from the editor

The last newsletter of 2015 focuses on the elimination of violence against women, a global emergency. For 16 days the UN System, with the leadership of UNWOMEN and the support of many partners, organized events and campaigns to highlight the importance of ending gender based violence while promoting peace, development and economic prosperity. In this issue we feature stories of Pakistani women who set an inspirational example by achieving their dreams despite many odds. I take this opportunity to welcome UNWOMEN’s new National Ambassador Ms. Muniba Mazari: she is the first one in this role and we are confident that Pakistani women will benefit from her dedication to the cause.

I also would like to draw your attention to the activities rolled out by many organizations on the theme of climate change in conjunction with COP 21 in Paris. World AIDS Day was observed on 1 December with the launch “Positive Diaries – Stories of people living with HIV in Pakistan”, a wakeup call to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic and HIV related stigma and discrimination. The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, personally attended the celebration of the international Anti-Corruption Day in Islamabad.

Human Rights through Cinematography marked Human Rights day 2015: ten films focused on human rights violations were screened in Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore in

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collaboration with several national and international partners.

Also, the opening of the first forensic science laboratory in Malakand , the dangers of living without toilets and details about efforts to end child labor in Pakistan will make for insightful reading.

My gratitude goes to colleagues from the UN Communications Group and the UN Country Team: this magazine is the result of a joint effort and of their collaboration and continued support. All together, we aim at documenting the work done by dedicated colleagues from the 19 UN agencies, funds and programmes currently operating in the country, for the benefit of the Pakistani people.

Vittorio Cammarota, Director, United Nations Information Centre

focus on

Ending violence against women and girls: a top priority I am delighted to be amongst so many committed and distinguished ladies and gentlemen who are leaders in putting an end to violence against women. Thank you for your strong commitment and engagement.

If we are united, between men and women, among government leaders, business communities and civil society leaders I think there will be nothing which we cannot overcome.

There will be nothing which will stand in our way to achieve gender equality and gender empowerment. Particularly women can live without any fear of violence. I am very much grateful for taking time and your strong engagement.

Ending violence against women and girls is a top priority for achieving the UN’s founding mission of peace, development and human rights.

That is why, since my first day in office, I have insisted on raising my voice at every opportunity to change the mindsets that subjugate women and girls.

I have rallied men through my Network of Men Leaders and HeForShe campaigns.

I have proudly led the UNiTE campaign.

We will not relent until we stop all attacks against women and girls.

This includes beatings by their husbands and others, sexual assault, slavery, trafficking, female genital mutilation, child and forced marriages

and all forms of abuse.

This year I am especially concerned about the impact of violent extremism on women and girls.

We know the problems facing women. I want to show how women themselves hold the key to solutions.

We have seen outrageous attacks.

The shooting of Malala and her school friends, the kidnapping of the Chibok girls, the terror inflicted on women – especially minorities – in Syria, Iraq and many other places.

All violent crimes against women must be punished.

Women and girls also suffer other gender-specific abuses from terrorist

groups and security services.

Women, especially young women, may fall prey to false promises of violent extremists. These extremists pervert and shame the religious teachings they claim to represent. In some cases, the recruiters – even the attackers – are women.

We have to confront this disturbing reality and take decisive action to address it.

I am preparing a Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and I look forward to our discussions on this challenge in the weeks ahead.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Women are victims – but much more

5

focus on

than that, they are agents of change with potentially enormous influence.

Women can play a decisive role in addressing sensitive issues such as sexual violence. This is especially true in societies where women victims of rape also carry shame and stigma.

In those cases, victims may prefer to confide in women. And when we women gain prominence for defending human rights, justice and the rule of law, they also serve as role models who inspire others.

That is why I have made it a top priority to promote women across the United Nations system, including in Peacekeeping Operations.

I have been asking world leaders to provide as many women police officers as possible, because when some unfortunate thing happens to women they feel it as a shame and they are not coming out. Particularly, family members take it as shame of their family so it is very difficult to find perpetrators. When [women] meet female police officers they find it much easier and comfortable to discuss their challenges and their cases. We have seen successful stories of women police units in Liberia and elsewhere. We have made a lot of success, so we are now asking Member States to provide more and try to level up the percentage of [women] formed police units in our peacekeeping operations.

I do this to prove their value, to lead by example and to benefit from the expertise of women leaders.

I have also sent a strong signal to men that gender inequality and abuses against women will never be tolerated at in the UN system.

And I have been active in pushing the Security Council to advance its wom-

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en, peace and security agenda.

But if we are serious about ending violence against women, including violent extremism, we have to intensify our efforts for women’s rights.

That is why we are raising our ambitions.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim for a life of dignity for all people – and that can only be possible when we empower women and girls. The 2030 Agenda recognizes that we must end violence against women – and it includes related targets across the Goals.

Today starts 16 days of activism leading up to Human Rights Day. My UNiTE campaign is lighting up the world in orange to symbolize the brighter future of a world without violence against women and girls.

The HeForShe campaign has set the goal of having 1 billion men support gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Leaders in government, academia, business and entertainment along with other men are joining me in committing to become partners for change.

Violence against women is pervasive in all countries – and we are mobilizing the world in response.

Individual women and women’s organizations are essential to success.

Many of you in this room have championed this cause. I thank you for your dedication.

I will continue to do everything possible to advance women’s leadership in classrooms, boardrooms and negotiating rooms. I will give as many women as possible the chance they deserve to make a difference as leaders at the United Nations. And I count on all of you to join me in pressing

men to understand that women’s safety and equality are in everyone’s interest.

Together, we can unleash the power of women and girls and secure humanity’s future.

Thank you for your commitment.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General UN

focus on

Violence against women is preventable

Across the world, violence against women and girls remains one of the most serious—and the most tolerated—human rights violations, both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality and discrimination. Its continued presence is one of the clearest markers of societies out of balance and we are determined to change that. On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women we say again: It is not acceptable.

It is not inevitable.

It can be prevented.

Although there is no single solution to such a complex problem, there is growing evidence of the range of actions that can stop violence before it happens, especially if they are implemented in parallel.

Further research currently underway will lead to more definitive strategies and interventions to prevent violence.

We believe that, through concerted action by everyone involved, from governments to individuals, we can tackle the unequal power relations and structures between men and women and highlight the necessary attitudinal, practice and institutional changes. Imagine how different the world

would be for girls growing up now if we could prevent early marriage, female genital mutilation, the turning of a blind eye to domestic violence, abusive text messages, the impunity of rapists, the enslavement of women in conflict areas, the killing of women human rights defenders, or the hostility of police stations or courtrooms to women’s testimony of violence experienced. We have made progress in improving the laws that distinguish these acts and others as ones of violence and invasion of human rights. Some 125 countries have laws against sexual harassment, 119 have laws against domestic violence, but only 52 countries have laws on marital rape.We know that leaders, whether CEOs, Prime Ministers, or teachers, can set the tone for zero tolerance to violence.

Community mobilization, group interventions for women and men, educational programs and empowerment of women are some of the interventions that have impact, when they are put together with other legal, behavioral and social changes. For example, in Uganda, engaging communities in discussion of unequal power relations between men and women dropped rates of physical violence by men

against their partners by half. In Myanmar, provision of legal aid services for rural women is improving access to justice and the training of even a small group of male leaders has been identified as contributing to a change of behavior in some 40 per cent of those in the target communities.

We are doing pre-deployment training for peacekeepers to be more gender sensitive and to better protect civilian populations in conflict areas.

And in the United States, urban police officers trained to recognize the warning signs of intimate partner violence, are making some progress in reducing the numbers of murdered women. As we launch the Orange the World Campaign today, we already know that tuk-tuk drivers in Cambodia, soccer stars in Turkey, police officers in Albania, school children in South Africa and Pakistan, and hundreds of thousands of others around the world, are all in their own way taking a stand. We now have, for the first time, explicit targets to eliminate violence against women in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These demand accelerated action.

When more than 70 world leaders took the podium in New York at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment on 27 September 2015, the majority named ending violence against women and girls as a priority for action. It is indeed a priority.

I believe that if we all work together: governments, civil society organizations, the UN system, businesses, schools, and individuals mobilizing through new solidarity movements, we will eventually achieve a more equal world—a Planet 50-50— where women and girls can and will live free from violence.

Ms.Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Executive Director UN Women

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focus on

Zero tolerance towards gender-based violence

The annual 16 days of activism against gender-based violence were once again commemorated throughout the country this year, with orange, the color of the campaign to end violence against women, marking every occasion. Following the UN Women’s lead, almost all UN Agencies in Pakistan, as well as civil society, the private sector and embassies participated in events that increased awareness, advocated for action and spread a message of ending violence against women and girls. Joining famous buildings and monuments around the world, UN Women lit up the Saudi Pak Tower and the Pakistan National Monument in orange with support from Philips, the Dutch Embassy and Ericsson. The Human Rights Film festival which ran parallel to the campaign for Human Rights Day reemphasized that women’s rights are human rights. The UN family sought to address the different aspects of gender empowerment and

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violence against women, to name but a few: UNIDO organized an ‘orange walk’ for its staff members; the UN Volunteers worked with female volunteers at universities to create awareness on the issue. Looking at violence against women more broadly, the World Bank and UN Habitat led discussions at the Urban Forum in Lahore about how to achieve Sustainable Development Goal no. 5 on Gender Equality by localization at a provincial level.

UNODC and UN Women spoke with female law students and lawyers on how human rights can improve women’s legal literacy in Pakistan and how lawyers can play a role in decreasing violence against women. The United Nations Office of Resident Coordinator pledged, never to commit, never to excuse and never to remain silent about the gender-based violence. International Human Rights Day, 10th December, marks the final day of the 16 days of activism against gen-

der-based violence. It was highlighted that although the 16 days had come to an end, the real work would only now really begin. The UN in Pakistan works on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality throughout its programs, advocacy work and policy advice.

Once such initiative is supporting the Government to meet its obligations under the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW). UN Pakistan appreciates all the hard work that was put in throughout the campaign. Yet the fight to end violence against continues, remember that on the 25th of every month people are encouraged to wear orange, as a reminder of the campaign, and thus continue the important work of creating awareness of ending gender-based violence against women.

Mr. Neil Buhne, Resident Coordinator UN Pakistan

focus on

Keeping pace with global initiatives

On the eve of 25th November, UN Women, once again commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which starts the ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign.

Under a global initiative ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women and Girls’ led by UN Women on behalf of the UN Secretary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, the campaign’s ORANGE color reflects a bright and optimistic future for women and girls, and a life free from violence and discrimination.

Lighting up of iconic buildings in ORANGE is part of a global movement showcasing efforts to end the pandemic of violence against women and girls with UN Women at the forefront. In addition to the high-profile ‘oranging’ of the National Monu-

ment of Pakistan in Islamabad, other major landmarks across the world which were lit up in orange included the Niagara Falls (Canada/USA), the archeological ruins at Petra (Jordan), the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

In Pakistan, UN Women, together with national partners and UN colleagues, also organized seminars and advocacy events on policy and legislation to combat gender based violence with hundreds of youth, parliamentarians, government, civil society, and the media in the capital, Pakistan administered Kashmir, Balochistan and Khyber Pakthtunkwa.

On Human Rights day- the final day of ’16 days of Activism’, we were delighted to announce the appointment of our first National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan, the inspirational artist-singer-activist MunibaMazari

who has become a force multiplier to reach out and hasten the pace of change towards ending gender discrimination.

There has never been a greater sense of urgency for collective action. Just imagine, at the current pace of progress, a girl born today will be an 81 year old grandmother before she has the same chance as a man to be the CEO of a company. That is an excruciatingly long time to wait for equality and fair play—time we simply don’t have. Through the SDGs, Pakistan and the rest of the world have already set an expiry date for gender inequality- 2030. It is an ambitious goal but a Planet 50:50 is attainable if both men and women, work together and treat every day with the same passion and commitment as during 16 days of activism.

Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative UN Women

Photo courtesy of Yann Arthus-Bertrand

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focus on

Let’s work together to end gender based violence the whole generation. I believe that the only way to eliminate gender discrimination is to tell people that strength and heroes have no gender. All humans, men and women, should get equal opportunities in every field because it’s their right.

No one can empower a woman but a woman herself. The moment she takes charge of her own life and starts to decide for her own self, she not only empowers herself but also empower the whole society and eventually her whole generation. I hoe to see a world where women are not being judged because of their gender, where they are free to make decisions for themselves, where men support and encourage women and work as a team to make this world a better place for our future generations.

Ms. Muniba Mazari, National Ambassador UN Women

It’s a great honor to be the first female Ambassador for UN Women in Pakistan. I am a strong supporter of UN Women and the role everyone has in ending gender-based discrimination, and in working towards gender equality, making it a lived reality by 2030. Through this partnership I want to spread the idea of Planet 50-50 on the grass root level where

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women are still unaware of their rights.

We need to educate both men and women that if we want to eliminate gender based discrimination from the country and from the world, we’ll have to work together as one unit.

This is the time to empower women and girls because when you empower one woman, you empower

real lives: stories that inspire us

Follow your dream “I was 15 years old when my parents married me off into an uneducated family, to my cousin. They said it was a family custom - ‘rivaaj’. I was a competent and hard-working ‘Matric’ student. As a child bride I knew my wedding was happening, but I did not know what a wedding was. I used to be afraid of going into my husband’s room. Two years later my first child was born. With no money to buy her medicines when she was unwell, hurt me.

That is when I said enough is enough this was not the life for me. I made my life’s first bold decision - to go back to school.

Over the next 6 months I saved Rs 1,200 from tutoring young children and submitted my school attendance forms and fees, with the help of my 18 year old brother.

I hid my studies from my husband and father-in-law, they were totally against it.

My mother-in-law was my only ally in my husband’s house. She supported me throughout. She looked after the children and housework - she is a kind, humble and good natured person.

In 1999 I resumed my studies. I could not afford school classes. I had no lecturers. It was all self-taught; reading in private - in the kitchen and washroom – and hiding from everyone. When the time came for me to sit my FA exams, I told my husband because I had no money to go to the examination hall. My husband refused to take me and I had to take the bus or walk the long distances. When I received my FA result even though my grade (division) was low, I was elated, after all look at the circumstances I studied in. After this I started working from home (sew-

ing and teaching) to save money for my

my in-laws praised me. My own father

children and to study further. Two years

did not support me – my brother was my

later I passed my BA exams. Before the

sole supporter from my family. Others who

announcement of my results, my brother

laughed at me now respect me and ask

secured me a teaching job at a local col-

themselves: how can a girl who we sub-

lege (grade 6; Rs 2,500 monthly salary).

dued, pressed down, be a teacher now?

I travelled by foot one and a half hours

My focus was always my books and

each way, with broken shoes and some-

studies – I wanted to study – I studied in

times wrapping plastic bags around my

the light of the heater when my husband

feet/shoes to stop them from bleeding.

turned the room light off, when he turned

My husband used to mentally torture me

the heater off I studied under the street

even when I wanted to work to bring in

light. I always wanted to become a doctor.

extra income to support his children.

It broke my heart that I could not carry on

Whilst working at the college I attended

with my love for science but that did not

evening MA classes and studied in the

stop me from studying further. This tribal

basement until late into the night. People

area, its tribal rules and customs tortured

used to laugh at me for leaving home to

me. Today, I am halfway through my PhD

study - they did not speak to me. When

- my struggle made me independent. My

my result was announced, I had attained

next aim is to achieve an ‘overseas’ de-

3rd position in the province. Many people

gree - I am not ready to compromise on

congratulated me. With the exception of

my dream just yet!”

my mother-in-law and children, none of

11

real lives: stories that inspire us

You are your own master “I was brought up in a very conservative family. I spent my adolescence in my dad’s town Esakhel. Because of the local customs, most of the ladies were not allowed to go out without cover. My dad kept strict standards for me, for the most part influenced by his family customs because of his image as an incredible vocalist. I am the daughter of the legendary singer, Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi.

As a result of my upbringing, I ended up being an introvert and on top of that, my relatives demanded that I ought to get married at an early age.

However, I battled against this because I wanted to be my own person first, rather than becoming dependant on someone else. I had a passion for arts and after A-levels, my brother, my mentor, guided me into doing Visual effects as he knew about my enthusiasm for expressions. I then got enrolled into a decent organization where I was the youngest and the only female in the institute studying Visual Effects. At the age of 19, I ventured into the business and I got my first enormous Hollywood project.

I got opportunity to work for some very prominent Hollywood movies like X-Men, Godzilla, Chronicles of Narnia, 10,000 B.C, Gravity, Prince of Persia, Sweeney Todd and many more. Despite everything it still feels like a dream to me. Never did I expect

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to be part of such an incredible and creative industry and to work alongside Oscar winning teams. Currently I am working for Aardman Animation Studio which has won 4 and has been nominated for 10 Oscars for their renowned projects.

My message for Pakistani girls is that never abandon your enthusiasm regardless of the possibility that you are the only female in that particular field. I have been working in a male dominant industry which has been extremely testing, however that just adds to the fun. It challenges you and you continue adapting. I will end with a quote: “God has a plan for you but

God does not plan for you” Dream big, only you yourself can accomplish and make your dreams work out as expected!”

real lives: stories that inspire us

Where there is a will there is a way To overcome my shortcomings, I started participating in extra-circular activities to stand amongst my batch mates and university fellows. I started working for the event called BNU Bestival and after two years; I became part of the Executive Team. I worked four years for it with barely being able to speak.

As I started university, the harsh reality of our society made me realize that I can only survive if I turn my weaknesses into my strengths. Many people came in my life and left because they couldn’t accept my disability. I have faced a lot of discrimination in my life.

After suffering for almost 14 years from this disease, today I can proudly say that I’ve successfully converted my weaknesses into my strengths! I’ve been on Dean’s

“My life changed at the age of 9; one

available in the USA, I can only get it once

day when my parents noticed muscular

or twice a year.

Honor List three times and have distinc-

knee. For one year, no doctor in Lahore

I started to feel different as I was growing

nication Design. Now I am working as a

could diagnose my disease. I was diag-

up but my parents and family supported

nosed with Neromuscular Dystonia at Aga

me at every step in my life. My school, fac-

Khan Karachi, a very rare disease in Asia.

ulty was extremely helpful during the 11

With time my physical condition deterio-

years I spent there. I completed my O and

rated. People who saw me in public start-

A levels. They assisted me in my university

ed calling me monster, kids made fun of

admissions and also morally supported

me and a very few sympathized. I went

me when I failed to get admission in some

to Dubai in 2003 and got my first Botox

of the universities in Lahore because there

treatment and my physical condition got

were no specific seats for people with

a little better. My leg came back to nor-

special needs.

mal but the disease travelled up to my vo-

Finally, I got Admission in Beaconhouse

cals after a few years. I started my further

National University and I decided to pur-

treatments in USA for Dystonia and later

sue my career in arts thinking it would be

spasm in the left side of my neck and right

for Dysphonia (Vocals) as well. Since vo-

easy; never knowing it was the other way

cal treatment is very expensive and only

around for a physically challenged person!

tion in my thesis in BFA Visual CommuVisual Communication Designer for an e-commerce solution company. For my future; I dream to do my Masters in Photography from the USA. Two of my mentors at BNU once told me, ‘Believe in yourself and you will succeed which will allow you to earn respect and empathy in our society. You are unique and that’s your strongest point in life. The sooner you accept your weaknesses the better you will be.’ This is the same advice I would give to everyone with special needs.”

13

real lives: stories that inspire us

Transforming behaviors through School Wash Clubs

Royal College of Science, Union Council 05, PhoolBagh, district Jacobabad is one of the many schools where bad sanitation has been taking a heavy toll on education. The deplorable hygiene condition of the school had exposed the students to contagious and parasitic diseases, affecting their education experience.

In order to help the community, the Urban WASH project team decided to involve the school students as the torch bearers of improved hygiene.

This method not only improved the hygiene condition but also brought forth the active, diligent, and enthusiastic individuals of the school who had the capacity to trigger change.

Formation of School WASH clubs has been the most effective method to engage the students of the school to learn about health and hygiene standards and eventually adopt better practices. The sense of ownership given to students prove to be the most important factor contributing to the success of the intervention in

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the school, making it a best practice which can be replicated in other schools of the district as well.

Zahid Hussein, a student of grade 6 in Royal College of Science, was famous amongst the teachers and students as one of the naughtiest and unkempt kids at school. Messy hair, no shower, unclean clothes and nails were the apparent attributes of Zahid.

This appearance was coupled with no sense of keeping the surroundings clean as Zahid used to throw trash anywhere, dumped solid waste inside the classroom, did not wash hands before eating or after using toilet, leading not only to his own bad health, but also affecting the health of those around him. The project’s social mobilizing team identified him while they were introducing their team to the teachers and students and decided to involve him in the school WASH club. This step initially took the entire school by surprise and many were skeptical about involving However, it induced a spirit of own-

ership in Zahid and he felt that it was now his duty to improve his school.

This sense of responsibility initiated a change in Zahid’s personality that impressed everyone around him and soon he became the most liked kid at school.

When Zahid was asked to narrate how he became involved in the School WASH club, he said with pride, that when the WASH team came to their school, he did not want to listen to them at first, but they were brought to the class for introduction and they were forced to pay attention.

They were told about the worst things they could do to their hygiene and he realized he had almost all of them.

Zahid now regularly briefs the students about their roles and responsibilities about WASH club and awareness regarding personal, house, school, and environmental hygiene. He keeps his school neat and clean, drops solid waste in dustbins, washes hands with soap, and teaches his schools mates and community about the importance of health and hygiene. It has become his routine task to check school’s toilets that whether they are clean or not.

Now, he not only looks smart and healthy but also gives more time to study and everybody, especially his class teachers and friends, like him very much.

real lives: stories that inspire us

Drinking water – A luxury for Kareemabad residents

At a fragile age of 70, Aisha bibi can be

water, she replied that she has no drinking

their family is exposed to all sorts of wa-

seen fetching water in a drum on her head

water facility at house and she cannot af-

ter-borne diseases. With just 100 Rupees

or in her hand, water that she got herself

ford to purchase water from donkey carts

per day, they have to compromise on a

from a hand pump set in a neighbor’s

as it is unaffordable considering the mea-

lot of daily necessities. Especially when

house. This is an everyday sight in Ka-

ger income of the household. Aisha Bibi is

anyone in the family falls sick, the earnings

reemabad, Union Council 6, MochiBasti,

old and tired of her daily routine, comment-

disappear in health expenditures, further

Jacobabad, where many old ladies have

ing on her duties as a mother she says, “It

reducing the disposable income and di-

to fetch water as a daily chore.

is very difficult for me to pump and carry

rectly impacting the nutrition level of the

Aisha Bibi lives with her widowed daugh-

30 liters of water daily, but I do not have

family. They are in dire need of help and to

ter, Mai Sukhan, who is about 35 years

a choice, I have to fight with my age and

reinstate it, Mai Sukhan commented that,

of age and has a son. It is her daughter’s

fetch drinking water every day for the sake

“I stitch neighbor’s clothes and earn 100

earnings of 100 Rupees per day which

of my family.” Aisha Bibi and Mai Sukhan

rupees and that is why we cannot afford

provides them with daily sustenance.

are both aware of water-borne diseases

a large amount but can afford nominal fee

During Household survey for willingness

but they do not know how they can im-

for drinking water. I shall be very happy if I

to pay, the survey team visited her home

prove their conditions. No access to safe

get sweet water.”

and in response to queries about drinking

drinking water has marred their lives and

15

real lives: stories that inspire us

Abdullah Magsi: A hero for Darkhan Muhalla

When the high rain floods of 2012 devastated the Jacobabad District, it caused widespread displacement.

Flooded fields with up to 2 (and in some 5) feet of water, tents lining the roadways, and multiple shelter-less individuals seeking refuge in one tent was a common sight.

The severity of the situation called for the very basic facilities: food, water, sanitation, reconstruction support, and health care. Many civil society organizations were working for the rehabilitation of these people but their efforts translated into success when leaders from the local community stepped up to take charge and fix their Abdullah Magsi was one of these

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

16

leaders who stepped up from the DarkhanMuhalla to help his people.

A hero in disguise of a normal man, Abdullah warmly welcomed the Urban WASH Project in his Muhalla, and was nominated as General Secretary for Muhalla Wash Committee and for WARD committee.

As in the midst of the destruction, maintaining normal hygiene levels was a big challenge, Abdullah ensured that his community members were aware of the challenges and were motivated enough to take all possible steps to reduce environmental pollution, especially solid and liquid waste. He gets up early in the morning and visits every street where he

convinces the people to dump waste properly. He regularly meets the TMA staff for cleanness of the Muhalla on a fixed schedule.

It is because of his leadership, and proper guidance by WaterAid, that today the DarkhanMuhalla is neat and clean. Abdullah claims that, “Before this (WASH Project) we never had a platform to mobilize the community for the betterment of the Muhalla.�

The residents of the community whole-heartedly praise him and thank him for his hard work. Abdullah Magsi has forever become a hero for DarkhanMuhalla.

news and events

agriculture and food security

Livelihoods and food security of FATA returnees

Over 1.5 million displaced individuals have been living in Peshawar or adjoining districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). As a result of improvements in the law and order situation, the Government of Pakistan has initiated the implementation of a Return and Rehabilitation (R&R) Strategy which envisions the return of all TDPs to their areas of origin by 2016.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), released its report “Returning Home: Livelihoods and Food Security of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Returnees” .This report outlines the results of a study conducted jointly by WFP and the FATA Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Food Security Cluster and the FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA).

Secretary, FATA Planning & Development, Shakeel Qadir Khan, was the

chief guest on the occasion while WFP

access to social services”.

Representative, Lola Castro, FAO Rep-

The report highlights findings such as re-

resentative, Patrick Evans, Country Di-

turnee populations’ high vulnerability to

rector International Rescue Committee,

food insecurity, a significant decrease in

Muhammd Adeel Khan, were among the

domestic and productive assets, low lev-

key speakers.

els of productivity of household-owned

Shakeel Qadir Khan, appreciating WFP

agricultural lands, dependence on un-

food and nutrition interventions in FATA,

stable sources of income and important

said the report would serve as a guide-

gender disparities with women having

line for policymakers to make correct

worse food security indicators in terms

assessments of food, nutrition, rehabil-

of food consumption scores and calor-

itation and livelihoods challenges being

ic intake. The report also formulates key

faced by FATA returnees.

recommendations based on priorities

Lola Castro said that since 2008, oper-

identified by returnee households, com-

ations for the restoration of peace and

munities and the overall analysis of the

stability in Pakistan’s north-western ar-

livelihoods and food security situation.

eas had led to the temporary displace-

The report provides a comprehensive

ment of a significant number of people.

profile of the livelihood and food secu-

As families returned in large numbers

rity in FATA. It is based on information

this year, joint efforts had been undertak-

collected during field surveys in six FATA

en by the Government of Pakistan and

agencies including Bajaur, Khyber, Kur-

the Humanitarian Community to support

ram, Mohmand, Orakzai and South Wa-

communities in the rehabilitation of their

ziristan.

lives and livelihoods and to improve their

17

news and events

agriculture and food security

Lets join hands to enhance disaster preparedness and response

Efforts are needed to reach out to people in need, especially women and children affected by malnutrition or natural disasters in Pakistan.

A Humanitarian Response Facility (HRF) in Sukkur was inaugurated to persue this goal.This HRF was be the second in Sindh and the sixth in Pakistan.

The groundbreaking was attended by the Director General PDMA Sindh Syed Salman Shah, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Jurek Juszczyk, Consul-General of Japan Akira Ouchi and WFP Deputy Country Director Stephen Gluning assured WFP of the

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

18

provincial government’s continued support in its noble endeavors.

“This network of humanitarian response facilities has proven critical in the government’s response to natural disasters such as floods as well as the earthquake in October this year,” said Stephen Gluning. “We are extremely grateful to the government for their facilitation as well as for the generous funding from international donors.

More people are reached faster with relief items already in place at provincial level.”

Australia has contributed AUD2.4 million to establish these facilities across

Pakistan.

WFP has engaged in developing a network of response facilities in eight strategic locations across Pakistan. The project is implemented in close coordination with the NDMA and respective PDMAs. Due to its strategic location, proximity to key logistic corridors and accessibility in times of floods and natural disasters, the HRF in Sukkur will not only serve as a logistics base for the northern districts of Sindh, but also the bordering districts of Balochistan which are frequently affected by floods.

news and events

cultural heritage

Pakistani cultural and natural sites on UNESCO tentative list of world heritage Mehergarh, Ranigatt in Buner District, Rehman Dheri (near DI Khan), Badshahi Mosque Lahore, Wazir Khan Mosque Lahore, Jhangir Tomb Complex Lahore, Chaukhandi Tombs in Karachi, Mansehra Rock Edicts, Port of Banbhore,Rani Kot Fort in Dadu; Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta,Tomb of Bibi Jawindi, Baha’al-Halim and the Tomb and Mosque of Jalaluddin Bukhari, Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan and Baltit Fort in Hunza.

To prepare and finalize the list of potential cultural, natural and mixed heritage sites of Pakistan for inscription on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, UNESCO Islamabad in collaboration with Directorate of Archeology and Museum and Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage organized a three days’ workshop in Islamabad.

Representatives from relevant institutions including Provincial Department of Culture and Archaeology, Department of Forest, Wildlife, Pakistan Council of Research and Water Resources (PCRWR), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Federal Directorate of Archaeology and Museums participated in the workshop. The workshop also included training sessions

on World Heritage Protection and Management.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO Representative to Pakistan highlighted that inscribing Pakistan’s potential culture and natural properties on Tentative and World Heritage List is an important first step. But at the same time, she emphasized that the world heritage status comes with the obligation of the State and other relevant institutions to safeguard and maintain the Outstanding Universal Value of Pakistan cultural and natural heritage and transmit this to the next generation in a good shape.

The workshop reviewed the Tentative List which was revised last time in 2004 comprising 18 properties: the Archaeological site of Harrapa,

19

news and events

children

Remembering victims of Army Public School Peshawar attack A year after the tragic attack on school children at the Army Public School in Peshawar, The United Nations in Pakistan stands with the Pakistani people in commemorating the victims and in particular the children whose young lives were un-

timely ended through a heinous act of violence. We convey our deepest sympathy to the survivors, victim’s parents and families whose lives have been brutally and irreversibly shattered.

On this day of sad remembrance,

the United Nations reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of violence, of which attacks on children are especially egregious.

Universal Children’s Day: why fair matters

Nearly 250 million children live in conflict-torn countries, and over 200,000 have risked their lives this year seeking refuge in Europe. The world remains a deeply unfair place for the poorest and most disadvantaged children despite major advances since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

As UNICEF released its report on the matter in November, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said that in just over a generation, the world had cut child death rates by half, put over 90 per cent of children in primary school, and increased by 2.6 billion the number of people with access to safe water.

However children make up almost half of the world’s poor and in Pakistan, the situation for children of marginalized and disadvantaged communities is no different from those living in other countries

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

20

facing socio-economic challenges. They are denied some of the most fundamental rights such as registration at birth, nutrition, immunization, safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and education. This impairs their growth, potential and productivity which in turn affect the national development.

Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan was of the view that going the extra mile for children who had been left out by providing them equitable access to public services was the only option to bring them into the mainstream development.

The report titled For every child, a fair chance: The promise of equity, presents important facts and figures on how the world’s most marginalized children have fared against basic human development indicators. It points out that children from the poorest households are nearly twice

as likely as those from the richest households to die before age five, and five times more likely to be out of school. Girls from the poorest families are four times more likely as those from the richest families to be married before 18.More than 2.4 billion people still do not have adequate toilets – 40 per cent of them in South Asia; and more than 660 million still lack access to safe drinking water – nearly half of them in sub-Saharan Africa and roughly half of the 159 million children suffering from stunting live in South Asia and one-third in Africa.

For every child, a fair chance makes the case for closing persistent gaps in equity, arguing that investing in children, particularly the most vulnerable, is right in principle and right in practice – and that such investment brings multiple benefits not only to children but also to their families, communities and economies.

An impressive team of UNICEF Ambassadors are also raising their voices or activating their social media networks to help spur action for the world’s most vulnerable children as part of UNICEF’s “Fight Unfair” campaign. These include Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Sir Roger Moore, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Novak Djokovic, Mia Farrow, Ishmael Beah, Susan Sarandon and Angelique Kidjo.

news and events

children

World Prematurity Day - Reducing preterm births and child deaths care for mothers and newborns.

However, the quality of care for women and newborns needs to be further scaled up so that they survive, thrive and transform the society.

World Prematurity Day is part of a global effort to raise awareness about the deaths and disabilities due to prematurity. Up to 75 per cent of deaths of preterm babies are preventable. Scaling up the quality and coverage of care for women and their babies will bear a triple return on investment.

An important aspect of prevention of preterm birth is adequate maternal nutrition which is critical for fetal development.

Around 750,000 preterm births are recorded each year in Pakistan.

Globally, 15 million babies are born preterm each year and over 1 million children die before their fifth birthday from related complications.

Pakistan, along with the rest of the world observed the 5th annual World Prematurity Day on November 16, to show its commitment towards reducing the number of preterm births in the country.

Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan said the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals to which Pakistan stands committed, include ending preventable child deaths by 2030, and in order to achieve this target, we must focus on preterm births – one of the leading causes of death for children under 5 years of age.

Pakistan has made significant strides in its health policies in the past year to improve access and

21

news and events

drugs and crime

International Anti-Corruption Day

Pakistan observed International Anti-Corruption Day with a ceremony organized by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at President House. Participants from different spheres of professional life, including dignitaries from government, members of civil society, the international Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the judiciary, and the media attended.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, presided and hosted the event, with the launch of a cartoon book “Gogi Says No to #Corruption” on anti-corruption by the car-

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

22

toonist and author Ms. NigarNazar.

The book addresses the issue of corruption in ‎Pakistan and teaches families to deal with the menace at the grass root level.

During the ceremony Mr. Cesar Guedes, Country Representative UNODC affirmed the importance of adopting and implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption in its true spirit. Mr. Guedes then read the statement of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon and emphasized the Secretary General’s call for united efforts to combat corruption and embrace the princi-

ples of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

news and events

drugs and crime

Combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling

A two-day Regional Conference on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (HTMS) was jointly hosted

by UNODC Country Office Pakistan and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Government of Pakistan in Karachi.

Supported by the Government of Australia, this conference was the first of its kind in the region where all relevant source, transit and destination countries participated. It discussed the challenges emerging out of the HTMS situation in the region and beyond, with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation related to irregular migration attempts. Senior Government Officials and representatives from fifty countries along with

ten Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Islamabad attended the conference. The participating countries included Pakistan, Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Australia, Korea, Central Asian Republics, Gulf States, Tunisia, Mauritius, South Africa, Nigeria and European Union countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil.

The international organizations included the UNODC, International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labor Organization (ILO), Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC), Gulf Cooperation

Council Criminal Information Center (GCCC-ICCD) and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Through this high-profile event, UNODC vowed to present international best practices for improving border control mechanisms and regional cooperation for investigation, prosecution and protection of victims. It is currently supporting the Government of Pakistan through its broadbased Pakistan Country Program (2010-2015), which envisages going beyond the initially set objectives, by introducing the next Country Program (2016-2019), aimed at fostering greater national and international interagency cooperation.

23

news and events

drugs and crime

Training Air Cargo Profiling Unit at Karachi airport

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Pakistan organized a two weeks theoretical training of the Karachi Airport “Air Cargo Profiling Unit” under its Global Container Program, in Karachi. This Program was launched in 2005 with pilot projects in Ecuador, Pakistan, and Senegal.

Karachi was among the first ports to establish a (maritime) Container Control Unit.The Global Container Control Program is a joint initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Customs Organization. This initiative helps states to set in place an effective inter-agency law enforcement structure, to minimize the exploitation of containers for illicit drug trafficking and the smuggling of various illicit consignments such as chemical precursors,

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

24

arms and ammunition, endangered species, and items relating to intellectual property rights.

Given the encouraging results of the Container Control Program in sea ports, UNODC is now in the phase of expanding the same concept for airports. Government of Pakistan had asked UNODC and WCO to help them establish the first pilot unit in Karachi. In response, UNODC organized a two week theoretical practical training of the Karachi Airport “Air Cargo Profiling Unit” with the participation of representatives from Denmark, France, Japan, UK, international organizations UNODC, WCO, ICAO as well as officials from Pakistan Federal Board of Revenue, Anti-Narcotics Force and Civil Aviation Authorities.

Cesar Guedes, Country Representative said it was an honor to see that Pakistan was launching yet another world pilot project in the field of drug control and border security and that the Global Container Control Program had been one the most successful UNODC initiatives: starting in 2005 as described in 3 countries including Pakistan, and today operational in 28; while another 25 states were in the process of participating therein.

The training was conducted by Instructors from World Customs Organization and UK Border Police.

UNODC plans to expand it to major airports of Pakistan including Lahore and Islamabad.

environment/climate change

news and events

UNDP and TEDx Islamabad on Pakistan’s climate change adaptation opportunities

Some of Pakistan’s top thinkers got together to talk about how climate change affects Pakistan and what can be done about it at an exclusive TEDxSalon event organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The theme of the TEDxSalon, ‘On thin ice’, was climate change which was organized in the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21 to be held in Paris in December 2015.

UNDP Country Director Marc-André Franche said “As these events grow more frequent and intense, it is es-

sential that we all work together to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to build resilience. Quick, effective action is needed by the Government of Pakistan, the public and private sectors, and by all Pakistanis.”

The speakers included Helga Ahmad, Aisha Khan, Jeremy Higgs, Umer Adnan and AdilNajam who talked about successful adaptation methods, innovative green energy efficient technologies, renewable energy systems proven successful in Pakistan, and shared their personal stories and commitment to the cause.

In the run up to Paris COP21, UNDP Pakistan helped the Government of Pakistan update its Sustainable Development Strategy, review the country’s climate commitments, and prepare project concepts for the Green Climate Fund. The TedX event is part of a series of ongoing discussions in public forums to create awareness about the changing climate and its impacts, and why COP21 meeting is significant for Pakistan.

25

news and events

environment/climate change

Pakistan success stories enthrall in Italy

A creative way to talk about serious issues that need urgent attention is through pictures. Recently a series of photographs from across Pakistan were displayed at the World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in Rome, Italy. The exhibit was inaugurated on 9 November.

Over the past few years, Pakistan has shown an impressive example of quick recovery following recurrent natural and man-made disasters. The catastrophic earthquake of 2005 and devastating 2010 floods caused considerable damage across the country and have been followed by smaller disasters. Pakistan not only demonstrated its resilience, but also made considerable progress towards eco-

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

26

nomic development as well as peace and stability, and recorded improvements in its socio-economic indicators while simultaneously aligning itself with the global movements The Government of Pakistan has also become the signatory to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, signed up to the Zero Hunger Challenge and lately committed to the Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger and poverty by 2030.

The government’s partnership with WFP in Pakistan is critical in achieving these goals.

The photo exhibition served to showcase this strong partnership between WFP and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and demonstrated how this

collaboration has made a difference in the lives of the vulnerable people in Pakistan.

WFP works closely with local producers from the private sector in Pakistan, and continues to invest in local research, expertise and capacity in the development and production of its local supplementary commodities, which have already been exported to other WFP operations around the world in support of life saving nutrition interventions.

news and events

environment/ climate change

United Nations and Aga Khan Foundation visit Chitral Climate change and earthquake took their toll on the scenic Chitral valley recently .In July flash floods struck and in October earthquake affected many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistan has emerged as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to natural disasters.

To better understand the effects on people and development from floods and the earthquake, and to assess the needs for reconstruction efforts, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan, Neil

Buhne, and the head of the Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan, AkhtarIqbal, visited Chitral district.

Neil Buhne said that Pakistan’s vulnerability to both natural hazards and climate change had the potential to damage and delay development in the country. He also talked about strategies that could curb the damage by pointing out the importance of good preparedness, planning and mitigation measures.

The mission was led by Neil Buhne and other members, including UNDP Pakistan Country Director, Marc-André Franche, Head of Office UNOCHA,

George Khoury and the Executive Officer of Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) NusratNasab.

The visitors interacted with the communities and the local government authorities in Chitral. The analysis following this visit will contribute to the overall assessment prepared by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This visit highlighted the importance of government efforts to provide relief to the vulnerable people most affected, and also the significance of quick follow up on reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

Assisting development of reliable flood early warning system in Pakistan To improve and strengthen the flood early warning system and management capacity of Pakistan, UNESCO with financial assistance from the Government of Japan and in collaboration with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and a number of other Pakistani partners and Japan organizations, UNESCO category II centre ICHARM and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), jointly organized a two-day international workshop on “Meaning and Characterizing River Morphology for Hindcasting and Forecasting River

Responses to Major Floods”.

This wasaimed at setting up a common understanding and direction for river modelling data requirements, from acquisition and measurement methods to effective use in river floods simulations which will be extended from Indus IFAS system to the tributary rivers of the Indus i.e. Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej. The two day international workshop was part of UNESCO’s “Strategic Strengthening of Flood Early Warning and Management Capacity of Pakistan” Project, phase 2 which was launched in March 2015 this year.

Speaking at the inaugural session of

the workshop, Chief Guest, His Excellency, Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan commended the immense efforts of UNESCO, PCRWR, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for their efforts.

27

news and events

environment/climate change

Pakistani Youth for Climate Change

UNIC Pakistan invited young people to join them for launch of the book “Pakistani Youth for Climate Change�. The publication is a collection of essays and drawings of young people from all over the country. This initiative, funded by Australian Aid and the Embassy of France, aimed at encouraging Pa-

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

28

kistani youngsters to creatively use their writing and art talent to depict the issue of climate change and be a part of the global conversation on the matter. Around 140 girls and boys from different schools in Islamabad attended the book launch where they had a chance to learn and work for raising awareness

about climate change in different ways. Mr. Vittorio Cammarota, Director UNIC opened the session and encouraged the youth to get actively involved into the global conversation on climate change as key drivers for social change. He also thanked the young audience for inspiring the book on climate

news and events

change. “We are confident that the thoughts and suggestions included in this book will inspire many more young people from Pakistan and abroad, and ultimately, contribute to better preserve our planet”.H.E. Ms. Martine Dorance, Ambassador

environment/ climate change

own inspiring stories on how every young person can help mitigate climate change through educating their peers and raising awareness.

Luca Listo from SEEDs project and Tariq Khan from Clean&Green Pakistan spoke about the climate

United4Climate Pakistani Youth for Climate Change

of France to Pakistan, was pleased with the level of awareness about climate change among young people: “Through these art works of young people of Pakistan we can see a real awareness which is a source of great hope for the future”.

Then young activists Rafia Saleem and Sarah Khan shared their

change consequences in the Northern areas and the neeed to keep the environment clean. The book was launched simultaneously in Islamabad and in Paris at COP 21.

29

news and events

environment/climate change

The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presents Early Recovery Framework

During the summer of 2015, mountainous regions of Chitral district, KP province were severely affected by flooding caused by torrential rain and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). These killed 36 people and caused severe damage to infrastructure.

Before the area had begun to fully recover, it was badly hit by an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, which caused severe damage across seven districts of KP, including Chitral.

In Chitral, over 19,000 homes were damaged.

In this connection the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa arranged an international partners’ dialogue to seek collaboration on the early recovery frameworks for areas affected by the October earthquake and flooding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

The framework was developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and presented at a workshop hosted by the

United Nations Pakistan | Newsletter

30

KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and UNDP. The frameworks were presented by Mr AmerAfaq, the Director General of PDMA’s Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation & Settlement Authority. The chief guest was Mr Pervez Khattak, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Neil Buhne, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said the effects of climate change across Pakistan are visible as natural disasters grow more frequent and intense. The United Nation in Pakistan continues to work with the government and development partners to build resilience to shocks and develop the capacities of the communities and institutions to adapt to extreme weather events.

Also present in the workshop, Mr Marc-André Franche, UNDP Country Director said, UNDP was rebuilding critical infrastructure benefiting 5000 families with the support of the Government of Japan. The needs are tre-

mendous as visible in the assessment conducted by the KP Government with the support of UNDP, FAO, SRSP and other partners.

Following the July flooding, PDMA developed a flood recovery needs assessment and action framework with technical assistance from UNDP. A sectoral analysis was also conducted, that showed nearly PKR 7 billion was required for reconstruction, including PKR4 billion to rebuild the transport sector alone. The damage assessment conducted by district line departments were validated by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme. UNDP has initiated rehabilitation of 26 critical infrastructure schemes in Chitral.

Immediately after the October earthquake, UNDP drafted a Recovery and Reconstruction strategy document based on consultations with PDMA, Chitral district officials and other UN agencies including UNICEF, WFP, FAO, UNHabitat, and ILO. Thematic maps were used to show the extent of damage in various sectors in earthquake affected areas of Chitral, such as damage to homes, schools, roads, bridges, and water supply schemes. UNDP Pakistan is collaborating with the Heritage Foundation to pilot 160 prefabricated green shelters and toilets for families who have lost their homes in Chitral and Shangla districts.

gender equality and women’s empowerment

news

news and events

gender equality and events and women ’s empowerment

UN Women names Muniba Mazari as Pakistan’s first National Goodwill Ambassador

UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, named MunibaMazari as Pakistan’s first female Goodwill Ambassador to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

In her new role as National Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women Pakistan, artist-activist-writer/singer and motivational speaker, Muniba will dedicate her efforts towards the empowerment of women and girls, and would serve as an advocate for UN Women’s “Planet 5050 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality” and other campaigns advocating for change to address the challenges that are holding women and girls back from reaching

their full potential, whilst engaging men and boys to take a stand and speak up for women’s rights as human rights.

Muniba, who for over the last seven years has been in a wheelchair after a car accident that left her with spinal cord injury, has represented the voice of women, men, girls and boys across Pakistan on important issues of gender inequalities, discrimination and determination to not give up and win against the odds. Muniba’s passion and conviction for women and girls’ rights will galvanize a multiplier effect that together with UN Women will reach the hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan and beyond.

Announcement of Muniba as Paki-

stan’s first female National Goodwill Ambassador for gender equality and women’s empowerment very timely follows the adoption by the Prime Minster of Pakistan, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, along with other world leaders, of a new development framework in September 2015 at the UN General Assembly.

The announcement took place in Islamabad, the Country’s capital city, as the Saudi Pak Tower located in ‘Blue Area’ turned ORANGE in colour to mark the 16th Day of Activism against gender-based violence. Under a global initiative ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women and Girls’ led by UN Women on behalf of the UN Secretary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, the campaign’s ORANGE colour reflects a bright and optimistic future for women and girls, and a life free from violence and discrimination.

UN Women is thankful to the Management of Saudi Pak Tower, Ericsson Pakistan, and to Philips Pakistan Limited for their support in lighting up Saudi Pak Tower in ORANGE to raise awareness and mobilize actions to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

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news and events

gender equality and women’s empowerment

Pakistan monument turns orange

The National Monument of Pakistan in Islamabad, commenced the 16 Days of Activism campaign, by turning ORANGE in color on the eve of 25 November 2015, to raise

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awareness and mobilize actions to prevent and eliminate violence.

UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) com-

memorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which starts the 16 Days of Activism campaign to end gender-based violence under a global

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initiative ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women and Girls’ led by UN Women on behalf of the UN Secretary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women.

ORANGE color reflects a bright and

ination, and in cultural and social norms, and practices. It is closely interconnected and interdependent with other dimensions of gender inequality.

Commitments and actions taken over the next 16 Days (and beyond)

optimistic future for women and girls, and a life free from violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights and permeates every society, class, race, geographical area and age group.

Last year the World Health Organization called it ‘a global epidemic’ and a public health crisis. Violence not only has negative consequences for those who suffer it, but also their families, the community and the country at large. It is a gross human rights violation, and also has tremendous costs, from greater health care and legal expenses and losses in productivity, impacting national budgets and overall development. The origins lie deeply rooted in gender inequality and discrim-

to end gender-based discrimination very timely follow the adoption by His Excellency the Prime Minster of Pakistan, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, along with other world leaders, of a new development framework and the Sustainable Development Goals at a historic event on 27 September 2015 at the UN General Assembly, and provides Pakistan with a golden opportunity to position gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment at the centre of the national and local agenda, both as an important end in itself and as an essential means to sustainable development.

Switching the National Monument of Pakistan’s lights to ORANGE were Her Excellency Jeannette

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Seppen (Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), Ms. Lola Castro (UN Resident Coordinator a.i.), Honorable Ms. KhawarMumtaz (Chairperson, National Commission on the Status of Women), Mr. Asad S. Jafar (Chairman and CEO, Philips Pakistan Limited) and Mr. JamshedKazi (Country Representative, UN Women).

Pakistan’s National Monument was bathed in ORANGE for the next 16 Days, marking a historic moment in the life of this iconic site that represents the Nation’s four provinces and three territories. The monument’s orange lit flower shape and petals embody the country’s women, men, girls and boys, and symbolizes the optimism of a Nation committed to progress.

UN Women are thankful to the Government of Pakistan’s Capital Development Authority, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and to Philips Pakistan Limited for their support in lighting up the National Monument of Pakistan in ORANGE to raise awareness and mobilize actions to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

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Support for “HeForShe”and “Say No! To Violence against Women and Girls” in Pakistan

Over 200 male parliamentarians and youth activistsfromPakistan Administered Kashmir came together and made a commitment to UN Women’s “HeForShe” solidarity movement by saying no to discrimination and violence against women and girls.

This was to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism 2015 to end gender-based violence, under the global initiative ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women and Girls’ led by UN Women on behalf of the UN Secre-

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tary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women.

The event was held in Muzaffarabad and started the State’s 16 Days of Activism campaigning to 10 December, International Human Rights Day. This high-level commitment provides Pakistan with a golden opportunity to position gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment at the centre of the national and local agenda, both as an important end in itself and as an essential means to sustainable development.

Mr. JamshedKazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan in his welcome said that it was a momentous day; for the first time in Pakistan male parliamentarians (supported by their female counterparts) and male youth activists had come together to commit to UN Women’s HeForShe

global solidarity movement for gender equality. HeForShe engaged men and boys as advocates and stakeholders, to break the silence, raise their voices and take action for the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Male parliamentarians from the State committing to “HeForShe” included Mr. Syed Asif Shah (Additional Chief Secretary General), Mr. ShaukatJavid Mir (Special Advisor on Media to the Prime Minister of PAK), Mr. MurtazaDurrani (Special Advisor on Information to Prime Minister of PAK), H.E.Mr.BazalNaqvi (Minister for Agriculture and Livestock), H.E.Mr. JavedBhudanvi (Minister for Food), H.E.Mr. Salam Butt (Minister for Tourism), H.E.Mr. AfsarShahid (Minister for Auqaf), H.E. Mr. Faisal Rathore (Minister for Electricity) and Secretaries from the Departments of Law, Industry, Agriculture, the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority, Planning and Development, State Disaster Management Authority, Health and Education. Also, over 100 male youth activists along with female parliamentarians, female activists, development partners and representatives from the media also pledged their support to take the HeForShe movement into their homes, schools, work places and circle of friends.

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UNIDO Pakistan encourage gender mainstreaming

UNIDO recognizes that gender equality and the empowerment of women have significant positive impacts on sustained economic growth and sustainable industrial development,which are drivers of poverty reduction and social integration.

UNIDO considers gender mainstreaming as a key strategy for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. In its gender policy, UNIDO states the overall goal of gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly the economic empowerment of women, must be advanced, a gender perspective must be reflected in all its programs, policies and organizationalpractices.

The Organization joins forces with partners within the United Nations system and with other publicand private sector partners to deploy a diversity of experiences and expertise to advance theinternationally agreed development goals related to gender equality.

In order to ensure, increase and encourage women participation in UNIDO’s Cleantechprogram,a new prize of US$ 15,000 has been introduced this year which is “Most promising women ledbusiness”. Since Cleantech is one of Pakistan’s biggest business accelerator program, whichsupports and fosters innovation by helping innovators convert their innovation into successful business. This year with the introduction of this prize more women participated in this competition.Sustainable Energy Initiative for Industries in Pakistan is a GEF funded project being implemented byUNIDO. This project is promoting Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies and Practices inSmall and Medium Industrial sector of Pakistan and one of the salient features of the project isinclusiveness, which includes the empowerment of women in industrial sector, especially in thecontext of Energy.

It has been ensured that women be

given opportunities for active participation inproject activities in all project components. Capacity building of Energy Experts will be a key outputof the project, in which participation of a sizeable number of women will be ensured. Womenparticipation will also be facilitated in Energy Audit and Energy Management System implementation activities during the project. It is also expected that energy efficiency and renewable energy effortswill directly impact in improving the livelihood of the women workers in the industry.

UNIDO Pakistan is also implementing Biomass gasification project, a small demonstration project that will use biomass resources to power a 300 KW power plant for rural electrification in the Rajanpur areaof Southern Punjab.

The implementation will entail a lot of engagement with the ladies of thehouseholds as they will be the main beneficiaries of provision of electricity.

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Strengthening Gender and Child Cell

Recent years have seen Pakistan face a number of challenges. The recurrent disasters from natural hazards and human-induced crises have only added to the issues that need urgent attention when it comes to core areas such as health and education. These disasters have had devastating consequences on children and women in particular. It is a global well known fact that women and children are the most vulnerable in the face of emergencies because they have limited capacity when it comes to coping with disasters.

Developing countries like Pakistan cannot deal with these issues alone. They need support from the aid agencies but it is crucial that they realize that ultimately it is their own responsibility.

In this connection, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) through the development of the ‘National Policy Guidelines on Vulnerable

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Groups in Disasters’ and the ‘National Gender and Child Cell (GCC) Framework’ has taken up concrete steps to ensure that the voices of women and children are included in decision-making process and policy formulation at all levels of disaster management.

The United Nations in Pakistan joined hands with NDMA to assist them in this much needed endeavour. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed a joint work plan to promote a child centred disaster risk reduction approach in Pakistan. Chairman NDMA, Major General Asghar Nawaz and the Acting Representative of UNICEF, CrisMunduate signed the document.

In line with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Framework on Child-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) which was

endorsed by the member states in September of this year, NDMA-UNICEF partnership aims to enhance NDMA’s capacity and delivery of services to minimize risks for children and ensure their well-being and protection in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The focus will be on promotion of child-centred disaster risk reduction through child-inclusive risk assessment, implementation of a Comprehensive School Safety programme, encouraging children’s participation through advocacy and communication and knowledge management.

NDMA-UNICEF partnership will span over one year in its initial phase with a visualized extension in subsequent years. During the initial phase, UNICEF will support the development of the terms of reference for technical expertise required to assist NDMA in implementing joint activities, drafting and provision of technical inputs for training designs, content development and development of guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to promote and support CCDRR especially in the 39 high risk districts in Pakistan.

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UNIDO Pakistan celebrates International Day on violence against women

UNIDO Pakistan had a walk wearing orange color to create awareness on violence against women.

This was arranged according to Mr. Li Yong DG UNIDO’s directions who directed UNIDO to celebrate the “International Day against violence of Women” on 26th November 2015, by wearing Orange color.

Consistent to DG UNIDO’s message to create awareness on violence against women, UNIDO Pakistan staff wearing orange shirts and orange ribbons and holding placards with messages related to “stopping violence against women”, walked in an open area outside the office symbolizing theirsolidarity.

UNIDO Representative Mr. EsamAlqararah reiterated the message

of the DG UNIDO on the day.As the specialized agency of the United Nations mandated to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development, UNIDO contributes to preventing violence against women through the pathway of economic empowerment.

Educating and investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on productivity, efficiency and economic growth. However, economically strengthening women is not only a means by which to spur and sustain inclusive industrial development, but also a matter of advancing women’s human rights.

cess to entrepreneurial and business skills, technologies and credit, so that they can bring about change for themselves. Empowered economically, women exercise greater control over their lives and can challenge the personal and social power relations that lead to gender-based violence.

During the walk, UNIDO Pakistan team had a thoughtful group discussion on the importance of stopping violence against women and ensured their commitment to work with other UN agencies towards achieving this Goal.

For UNIDO, preventing violence against women means women’s opportunities are improved. It means providing women with ac-

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First center for violence against women launched in Pakistan

Daily, 6 women are (or attempted to be) murdered, 8 are raped, 11 are battered and assaulted, 32 women are abducted, and the overall conviction rate is 1-2.5 according to Punjab’s Deputy Inspector-General of Police Investigation Branch 2013).

Across Pakistan and throughout the world, the reported cases of violence against women and girls are increasing with every passing minute and the conviction rate for such cases remains low. The Gender Crime Cells of the National Police Bureau, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and other media based reports reveal that violence against women and girls is endemic, often takes extreme forms

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resulting in fatalities, and that perpetrators range from intimate partner’s and family members to strangers.

These abuses limit women’s freedom as equal citizens to enjoy the urban/rural environment, and to exercise their rights to education, work, recreation, collective organization and participation in political life. Despite disrupting the lives of countless women and girls, this pattern of abuse is widely tolerated as a regular feature of life.

Pakistan’s first ever “one-stop” Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC) was launched with a ground-breaking ceremony at the Social Welfare Complex in Multan.

Multan’s VAWC will open in March 2016, and is expected to be followed by 34 similar centres in locations where rates of violence against women are highest. The VAWCs, an initiative of the Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit (Law and Order), Government of Punjab, will be the first line of defense for vulnerable women in the province due its rampant cases of violence against women and abysmally low conviction rate. VAWCs will bring together under one roof, all ‘justice delivery’ services for women victims, such as first aid, police reporting, legal aid and advice, prosecution, medical examination, forensics and post-trauma rehabilitation. The 24-hour open centers will provide

immediate relief and protection in an all-women run facility, and play a preventive role in raising public awareness and lead interventions in communities where complaints are received.

Speaking at the ground-breaking event, Mr. JamshedKazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan said that the creation of Pakistan’s first Violence Against Women Centre in Multan will be rendered even more effective if we took a more hardcore approach that works to prevent violence from happening in the first place.”

The High Commissioner of Canada, Ms. Heather Cruden and the Australian High Commissioner, Ms. Margaret Adamson acknowledged the efforts of the Punjab Government to decrease vulnerabilities of women.

This landmark event was also attended by the Ambassadors of Canada and Netherlands, Punjab’s Honorable Minister of Population & Welfare, the District Coordination Office of Multan, government officials, development partners and the media.

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gender equality and women’s empowerment

In a virtual courtroom All forms of gender-based discrimination and violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights and permeates every society, class, race, geographical area and age group. Discrimination and violence not only has negative consequences for those who suffer it, but also their families, the community and the country at large.

Pakistan’s Province of Balochistan has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions, and earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, and landslides have been recurrent phenomena. With limited research and solid evidence on the impact of natural disaster and complex emergencies on the lives of women and girls in the region, a virtual courtroom like community hearing was held and highlighted issues related to gender, discrimination, poverty, climate change and disaster risk reduction. These community hearings offered a rich and first hand perspective of how women and girls are affected by and are able to respond to natural disasters and emergencies.

To better understand and address the impact of natural disasters and emergencies from a gender perspective the Gender and Child Cell of Balochistan’s Provincial Disaster

Management Authority (PDMA), organized a virtual courtroom like community hearing, with the support of UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) and the Government of Denmark under their Women’s Leadership in Social Reconstruction program. UN Women is providing technical support to the Gender and Child Cell within PDMA Balochistan to improve their response to the needs of women and children.

Ten women and girls from five districts of Balochistan presented their testimonials of the time when earthquake, floods and drought hit their communities to an expert ‘judge’ panel made of academia, government officials and the UN. Key recommendations made included various planning levels should consider and address the different impacts of gender-based discrimination during disasters ,special attention and strategic planning is required foremost to ensure the safety, protection and participation of women and girls in the disaster response, presence of social security/protection systems must be in place to safeguard families and vulnerable persons from falling below the poverty line, livelihood rehabilitation initiatives

should be introduced post-disaster to strengthen ,recovery, including resources/funds for village reconstruction, local employment options, new skills development and farming support ,facilitate access of all to education, health services and shelter ,Ziarat’s Juniper Forest should be declared a national Heritage and special measures taken to protect it from deforestation (for fuel) and contribution to climate change and small scale check dams and delay action dams should be promoted with rehabilitation of indigenous irrigation systems (karez) to retain underground water levels, and subsidies on ground water mining should be discouraged to promote optimal water use.

The event was coordinated by UN Women with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Women’s Development Department, Leadership for Environment & Development (LEAD) Balochistan, the Gender Task Force, local community based and non-government organizations, and the Environment Protection Agency.

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Ensuring safe education for all

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, UNHCR offices across Pakistan organized various activities aimed at raising awareness among the people specially youth about safe education.

The annual 16 Day campaign of Activism against Gender-based violence concluded on 10 December marking the international Human Rights Day. This years, UNHCR adopted the global theme, Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All, placing a special focus on young people.

The UNHCR and partners staff across the country highlighted specific contributing factors which are the bottlenecks in accessing safe education. The staff arranged awareness raisingsessions among the refugee and hosting communities and en-

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gaged teachers and parents to find ways to make safe education a reality for young people so that they could realize their potential.

IndrikaRatwatte, Representative of UNHCR in Pakistan said UNHCR stands committed to work with all relevant actors and especially children and young people to ensure ending Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in all its forms irrespective of their nationality. Access to safe education is one of the most powerful tools for realizing a better future for refugees and a core component of UNHCR’s international protection and durable solutions mandate.

As part of the campaign, under the “safe education for all” UNHCR and partners in Islamabad and Punjab arranged different activities taking Pakistani and refugee youth on board.

The activities include puppet shows,

drawing competition, exhibition, arts competition, essay-writing competition, TV and Radio and posters campaigns displayed with messages at UNHCR and partners offices.

More than 30 events were organized in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa highlighting various aspects that are affecting the enrollment and dropout ratio in the schools. Special sessions with male community members were arranged aimed at creating awareness about safe education. In order to ensure coexistence between Afghans refugees and host communities, a cricket match was arranged besides a tournament arranged between lawyers and Afghan youth.

In Balochistan, a wide range of activities including awareness raising sessions and seminar about safe education were organized in different refugee villages, urban settlement and schools besides, drawing competition was arranged.

During the 16 Days of Activism campaign in Karachi, UNHCR and partners conducted awareness sessions for Afghan students, highlighting the importance of education and child rights. Essay-writing competitions were organized for Afghan students both for male and female.

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gender equality and women’s empowerment

Forensic science laboratoryopens in Malakand

An important milestone for UNDP Pakistan’s Rule of Law project, a new regional Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) was inaugurated in Malakand.The FSL Director, Mr. Muhammad Quresh Khan, UNDP Pakistan Country Director, Mr. Marc-André Franche, the Ambassadors of Switzerland, Mr. Marc Pierre George; of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Jeannette GeorgineSeppen; of the European Union, Mr. Jean-Francois Cautain took part in the inauguration.

The FSL was established with funding from the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Switzerland and Netherlands and equipment, train-

ing and support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Strengthening Rule of Law in KP programme. The UNDP project supported the construction of a new facility and refurbishment of an existing one in order to support the KP police force to improve its criminal investigations by using modern forensic techniques.

Such support will ensure that cases are processed more quickly and also decrease the burden on the FSL in Peshawar.

Also present was Senior Conflict Advisor at the UK Department for International Development, Ms. Helen Lewis, the AIG Police, Mr.Mian

Muhammad Asif, the AIG Prisons, Mr. Syed Muhammad Asif and the DG Prosecutor, Mr.Shafirullah and other senior officials.

Country Director, UNDP Pakistan, Marc-André Franche said the laboratory ensures that the police have the capacity to conduct criminal investigations quickly using scientific rigour; this speeds up the disposal of cases, improves service delivery and builds trust in the police and the justice system.”

UNDP Pakistan procured laboratory equipment and consumables to bring the laboratory up to international standards. It arranged for specialized training for 14 personnel and 3 M.Phil through the Punjab Forensic Science Agency based in Lahore which is the only state-ofthe-art facility in Pakistan.

In addition to the FSL, the Strengthening the Rule of Law project has provided support to judiciary, promoted alternative dispute resolution, provided capacity support to the police and prosecutors as well as supported legal aid and citizens’ access to justice. The project also supports women in practice of law.

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Where is my polling station?

For a democracy like Pakistan, it is important that the registered voters exercise their right and go out to vote on polling day. Research has shown that the distance between a voter’s home and the polling station can affect whether they will vote or not. And if polling station locations change frequently, voters are less likely to cast their ballots With its population of over 184 million, Election Day in Pakistan is one of the largest in the world. In 2013, nearly 86 million people were registered in 70,000 polling stations. In the next general elections expected to be in 2018, there may be over 100 million registered voters, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will set up one hundred thousand polling stations, stretching from the dense urban neighborhoods

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of Karachi to the remotest mountain villages of Chitral. This task requires robust effort. The ECP has to find 100,000 government buildings, mostly schools, with space for hundreds of voters, observers, party agents, and staff. The buildings have to be secure, accessible, and have facilities such as water and electricity. With help from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) the ECP is taking advantage of the widespread use of smartphones to help voters, party agents, and observers find their polling stations with ease.

By law, polling stations lists (called polling schemes) are finalized by returning officers in the weeks before the election. These paper lists are posted publically at the relevant offices. In recent elections, the Election Commission,

NADRA, and the mobile operators have also collaborated to offer a highly-popular SMS service which voters can use to find out their polling station.

In the recent Islamabad Capital Territory local elections on 30 November, ECP and UNDP Pakistan collaborated to produce an interactive online map with accurate and up-to-date locations of each polling station as well as a recent high-resolution photograph of the entrance. The data was collected using GPS-enabled smartphones under the supervision and direction of the returning officers, and integrated with the final polling scheme. The new web app, launched on 23 November, is an effort to improve the transparency of the polling scheme. By providing everyone a bird’s eye view on the polling map, the app helps to bring about more transparency and credibility to the election process. Candidates can raise concerns with ease about polling station placements, the ECP can keep an eye on the work of returning officers, and the returning officers themselves can communicate any changes directly to the general public.

UNDP Pakistan and the ECP intend to scale-up the app to cover the entire country for the next General Elections in 2018. No matter which of one lakh polling stations is the right one for them, voters from Karachi to Chitral will be able to locate it at the push of a button.

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gender equality and events and women ’s empowerment

Health Coverage Day Our best defences against any health emergency are strong and resilient health systems that serve all people without exposing them to financial hardship.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by world leaders in September, envisages universal health coverage and other important measures to ensure that children live into adulthood, mothers survive childbirth and countries strengthen their response to infectious and non-communicable diseases.

To galvanize action on health, in September I also launched the Global Strategy for Women’s Children’s and Adolescents’ Health. Our aim, together with the Every Woman Every Child movement, is to end preventable deaths among these groups and secure their well-being by helping countries to provide quality and affordable health care to all.

Today, at least 400 million people lack access to essential health services. Every year, health care costs plunge millions of people into poverty – or keep them trapped there.

That is why I call on all countries to ensure that every person can access essential and affordable health services.

We are starting to see progress across the world as countries advance on the road towards health systems that cover all people.

let us resolve to realize this vision as part of our efforts to enable all people to enjoy better health for generations to come.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving universal health coverage. Every solution will be unique to the context.

In all cases, success demands substantial investments, which pay huge dividends in the form of healthier individuals, better social cohesion, greater economic prosperity, and national resilience in the face of any unexpected disease outbreak.

On Universal Health Coverage Day,

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How can Pakistan end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 It has been more than 30 years since Pakistan has experienced HIV epidemic impacting families and communities and stealing away tens of thousands of lives of young men, women and children. But, on this World AIDS Day, we can begin to draw the curtain on one of modern history’s worst epidemics. In September, Pakistan was one of 193 United Nations member states to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals and commit to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

This goal is certainly ambitious, but it is achievable. Even without a vaccine or a cure, we know how to stop HIV with combination prevention efforts.

But, Pakistan has a fragile window of opportunity – only five years – to accelerate efforts. There are 94 000 people living with HIV in the country and with 20 000 new HIV infections last year, Pakistan has one of the fastest growing epidemics in Asia. We must act now before the virus spreads further and becomes entrenched in more communities.

While the pace of the response needs to quicken across the globe, intensified efforts are a must in 35 FastTrack countries. With an expanding HIV epidemic, Pakistan is one of these priority countries. UNAIDS is calling on countries to adopt the

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Fast-Track approach, by front-loading investments and initiating efficient and innovative approaches over the next five years in order to reach critical HIV prevention and treatment targets. But that is not all.

From the beginning, HIV has gone far beyond public health to many other social and development sectors. In every community touched by the disease, there is not only a glaring need to rethink health systems, but to also transform social norms. We must eliminate HIV-related discrimination in order to ensure dignified lives for key populations and people living with HIV.

Pakistan’s epidemic is primarily concentrated in key populations, who include people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, prisoners and migrants, as well as their intimate partners. People who inject drugs have a national HIV prevalence of 27.2%, while transgender people have a prevalence of 7.2%. Despite, these high numbers HIV programs for key populations remain far too few.

UNAIDS’ Fast Track targets call for 90% of people living with HIV, knowing their status, 90% who know their status to be on treatment and 90% on treatment to have suppressed viral loads by 2020. Currently only 9%

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of people who inject drugs know their HIV status.

Science has shown that antiretroviral medicine has the double benefit of keeping people living with HIV healthy, as well as preventing the onward transmission of HIV. The latest World Health Organization guidelines recommend treating everyone who tests positive for HIV. In 2014, only a little more than 5000 people in Pakistan were accessing treatment - that is about 6% of all those estimated to be living with HIV. This abysmally low treatment coverage prevails because of reasons that are not difficult to identify. The problem lies with governance and accountability and limited domestic resource allocations.

Political ownership & leadership for the HIV response at national and provincial levels are urgently required.

For example Sindh has an HIV Act but it lacks effective implementation. HIV legislation for other provinces is needed as well to protect human rights & and reduce gender discrimination.

While expanding HIV combination prevention and treatment programs is important, we know we will never end the AIDS epidemic in Pakistan if stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV as well as key populations continues to flourish.

Aware of the critical importance of developing tolerance and acceptance, UNAIDS, the National AIDS Control Program and partners have published The Positive Diaries, and are launching the book as part of World AIDS Day events. We encourage you to read this book. With stories of people living with HIV, along

with their photographs you can put faces to the figures. Each of the 94 000 people living with HIV has a story to tell.

The stories told here are backed up by data. The country’s People Living with HIV Stigma Index, conducted in 2010, revealed high levels of stigma, and exclusion from families and religious activities and discrimination in employment. One third of respondents reported being denied access to health care in the previous 12 months.

Stigma and discrimination are what emboldens HIV, giving the virus fertile ground in which to flourish. Fear of rejection, ridicule and even violence stop people from accessing HIV testing, prevention, treatment and other life-saving health services. Instead many often choose to avoid medical advice. This means not only are individuals failing to access HIV treatment until it is too late, but also they may continue risky behaviors without the benefit of access to the tools that can prevent HIV transmission. Such a culture of silence leads to a general lack of awareness, putting the health of everyone at risk and leading to unnecessary discrimination for those already affected.

It is worth highlighting on this World AIDS Day, we would like to salute the courageous men and women living with HIV who have decided to speak out about their status in The Positive Diaries. It is a matter of positive response from the community and people living with HIV, who says “We know that many people continue to live with HIV in quietness, Silence on

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HIV needs to be broken because it endangers everyone. We will continue to raise our voice until last breath.

“The publication of The Positive Diaries and formation of young men and women associations through the platform of APLHIV is a sign of immense hope, courage, bravery and progress in Pakistan. Just a few years ago, it would have been impossible to think of so many people living with HIV coming forward. While, they speak of pain and suffering, they also acknowledge the love, compassion and support they have received from their families, communities and sometimes complete strangers.

The Government of Pakistan, UNAIDS, civil society and all esteemed organizations should build with synergies a movement ,which encourages community for their fearlessness and together reach out to our brothers and sisters in need. If everyone opens up to people living with HIV and key populations and we close the testing gap, provide treatment for everyone living with HIV, increase domestic resources for HIV and promote discussions on removing legal and social barriers through legislations by National & Provincial Assemblies, we can end the AIDS epidemic. With the Fast-Track approach through community based HIV testing, we can shrink new infections to 2000 a year in 2020. If we continue with business as usual then we expect HIV infections to grow to 65 000 a year.

The choice is clear. We have no time to lose.

Dr. Mamadou. L. SAKHO, UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan & Afghanistan

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Raising awareness on menstrual hygiene management Health, academia, media, private and humanitarian sector came together in the first-ever symposium to set foundation for menstrual hygiene management in Pakistan Sexual health remains a difficult topic to talk about in Pakistan and because of the prevalent culture of silence, many men and women in particular suffer in silence. Research shows that 29% of girls of menstruating age can miss up to 20 days of school per year.

These figures are just one example of how urgently this issue needs to be tackled.

The Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Working Group organised Pakistan’s first ever Symposium on menstrual hygiene management in Islamabad today. Dr.Nausheen Hamid Mairaj, MPA Punjab and Member Health and Gender Mainstreaming attended the event as chief guest.

Experts from across health, academia, media, private and humanitarian sector got together to discuss related challenges and bottlenecks.

The symposium provided first of its kind forum to discuss the future of menstrual hygiene in Pakistan. Experts agreed on formulating a strategy aligned with the vision to tackle issues in Pakistan pertaining to girls and women with regards to MHM. The symposium was set as a firm stage by organizing a series of walks for advocacy throughout the country last month.

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Timothy Grieve, WASH Chief, UNICEF commenting in relation to the discussions in the symposium said, Fifteen million girls in Pakistan were out of school, which was due to lack of proper sanitation and menstrual hygiene facilities available. It is time we all step forward together to improve the lives of millions of girls and women around the country by supporting better Menstrual Hygiene Management.”

Dr.Nausheen Hamid, Chief Guest, while addressing the audience highlighted the need to educate women about issues related to menarche so they were better prepared to help their

daughters and themselves. If women had better knowledge of MHM, it would help the reproductive process management.

Menstruation has always remained a hushed up issue in Pakistan due to cultural constraints. As a result, the needs of women, especially in regards to sanitation, have never been brought to the fore-front. There is a dire need to “break the silence” around MHM in Pakistan through strong advocacy in order to encourage the government and relevant sectors to take action and make commitments.

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Radiology department at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar upgraded

The German Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Ina Lepel, inaugurated the newly upgraded Radiology Department at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar on Tuesday. This upgraded facility will benefit around 100 patients daily.The newly upgraded radiology department is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions

(SAFRON), the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees in KP and UNHCR under the joint Government and the UN’s Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) Initiative. Germany is one of the major donors of RAHA initiative and through KfW Development Bank has contributed € 27.5 million investment in multiple sectors (health, education, community infrastructure and livelihood). Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Ina Lepel commended the unprecedented work of KTH in providing specialized medical care and treatment to thousands of underprivileged patients including Afghan refugees for over three decades in the province. UNHCR Head of Sub Office Peshawar, Mr. Jacques Franquin, Addi-

tional Commissioner, Mr. WaqarMaroof, and Director Hospital Dr. NadeemKhawar, Director Medical Dr. Farman Ali and Head of Radiology Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital were also present at the occasion.

The German Ambassador also appreciated the Provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for hosting nearly one million Afghan refugees in line with the Islamic values of hospitality and generosity. Ms. Lepel reiterated Germany’s commitment to burden sharing with Pakistan for hosting the world’s largest protracted refugee population for over thirty-five-years.

New hope for special persons Glad tidings for persons with disabilities in Balochistan as the province gets its first ever facility at the Orthopaedic, Prosthetic and Physiotherapy Centre (OPPC) that will provide free of cost quality prosthesis. The existing OPPC has been upgraded and equipped with modern technology by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), funded by the European Union under the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative.

With the modern technology in place, the number of people benefiting from the facility will increase by 50 percent. The project will benefit more than 12,000 people per year including Afghan refugees and their host community in the province.

Through another RAHA project, Balochistan also gets vaccines and an upgraded cold storage facility, with enhanced capacity to store larger quantity of vaccines and other medical supplies.

This cold storage facility will enable the

uninterrupted delivery of vaccines to the province through an Extended Program for Immunization (EPI). The improved capacity and establishment of warehouse for the EPI will benefit approximately 636,436 children and women of reproductive age including 9,805 Afghan refugees in Balochistan throughout the year.

These projects were handed over by UNHCR to the Social Welfare Department of Balochistan at a ceremony held in Quetta on Monday. Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch; Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul QadirBaloch; German Ambassador, Ms. Ina Lepel; Mr Olivier Rousselle, Head of Regional Office ECHO; Ms. Junko Kawata, Economic and Development Section, Embassy of Japan; Deputy Representative UNDP, Ms Tracy Vienings; Representative of UNHCR in Pakistan, MrIndrikaRatwatte; Head of UNHCR Balochistan, Dinesh Shrestha, MsFuzieh

Melanie Alamir, from GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ), provincial authorities and dignitaries also attended the ceremony.

Representative UNHCR in Pakistan, IndrikaRatwatte said RAHA program recognized Pakistan’s longstanding hospitality towards refugees.

RAHA initiative is aimed at supporting refugee hosting communities across Pakistan through providing them with quality services in the sectors of health, education, water and sanitation and livelihoods across the country.

Balochistan hosts around 290,000 registered Afghan refugees, the majority of who live in urban settlements alongside their Pakistani hosts.

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health and hygiene

UNAIDS Pakistan marks ‘World AIDS Day 2015’ World AIDS Day is held each year on 1st December and provides an opportunity to people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and also to show compassion for people who lost their precious lives because of this epidemic.

The UNAIDS Country Office in Pakistan in collaboration with National AIDS Control Program [NACP] organized “World AIDS Day-2015” at the Maternal Child Health [MCH] Auditorium-Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS] in Islamabad. This national level event was observed to redouble collective efforts, to fasttrack our actions and close the gap between people who have access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and people who are being left behind. Mrs. SairaAfzalTarar, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

The Positive Diaries was launched at a Ceremony of World AIDS Day 2015 in Islamabad. UNAIDS-Pakistan in collaboration with National AIDS Control Program [NACP], United Nations Information Centre [UNIC] produced “Positive Diaries” - Stories of People Living with HIV in Pakistan. For the first time in this country, these people shared their stories on HIV-related stigma and to show their courage,

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inspirations, concerns and determination to trigger change in the society and eliminate stigma & discrimination.

The booklet is a collection of 15 testimonials of those men and women living with HIV, who have taken the brave step to share their stories of HIV-related stigma with public. Each story is accompanied by a short interview where people express not only

their challenges and concerns, but also their determination and hope to bring about change to eliminate stigma and discrimination.

news and events

health and hygiene

Adolescent deaths from AIDS on the rise AIDS is the second leading cause of death among adolescents globally. Among HIV-affected populations, adolescents are the only group for which the mortality figures are not decreasing.

The number of adolescent deaths from AIDS in the world has tripled over the last 15 years and according to data in UNICEF’s Statistical Update on Children, Adolescents and AIDS, less than half of children under 2 months are tested for HIV. Only 1 in 3 of the 2.6 million children under the age of 15 living with HIV is on treatment. Craig McClure, head of UNICEF’s global HIV/AIDS programmes, at the Critical Thinking Forum in Johannesburg said it was critical that young HIV-positive people have access to treatment, care and support.

The situation in Pakistan needs attention because in Pakistan, HIV is concentrated mainly among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) and sex workers. At the end of 2014, there were an estimated 94,000 people living with HIV in the country, of which nearly 1,700 were pregnant women in need of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) services. UNICEF supports PPTCT and paediatric AIDS treatment programmes in collaboration with UNAIDS and WHO. UNICEF focuses on cases of women infected by their husbands. Under a special initiative, 1,900 wives of HIV positive PWID were provided access to HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC).

Tania Goldner, Chief of Health in UNICEF Pakistan Country Office emphasised on

early diagnosis. She said: “We must have enough early infant diagnostic (of HIV) facilities across Pakistan so that infants exposed to HIV are diagnosed at earliest possible stage and have timely access to treatment, care and support enabling them to live a healthy life.

Since 2000, nearly 30 million new infections have been averted, largely due to advances in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. When about a decade ago, antiretroviral medicines were not common infected infants could hardly survive into their teenage. Therefore it is crucial for HIV patients to take medicines regularly.

Observing Jacobabad: Baseline study on WASH services The city of Jacobabad is located in north of Sindh province. In order to assess thesituation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and services in Jacobabad, UN-Habitat, with support from UNICEF and USAID, conducted a Baseline Study which included a survey of 1,960 households and 20 schools and 17 focus group discussions in all eight Union Councils (UCs) of Jacobabad. The study was conducted covering the areas of water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Important statistics revealed that 99 % households in Jacobabad use water from tube wells or bore holes, 6.3 % children in homes practice open defecation, 83% people find cost of drinking water either expensive or very expensive,90 % of the households dispose their solid waste in public places,84 %

people had visible dirt or unclean finger nails,only 36.1 % of children wash their hands with soap before meals ,more than 90 % of the toilets discharge their waste into open drains ,34.4 % households with children below 3 years’ age dispose children’s feces improperly and only 75 toilets for 11,812 students and teachers in 20 schools are there.

Overall, this study clearly indicates the urgent need for improving WASH facilities and services in Jacobabad at the household, school, community and municipal levels. These improvements need to planned and implemented with the participation of local communities.

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health and hygiene

The dangers of being without access to toilets

Lack of access to toilets is endangering millions of the world’s poorest children .Evidence of links between inadequate sanitation and malnutrition is clearly visible.

Some 2.4 billion people globally do not have toilets and roughly 1 in 8 of the world’s population defecate in the open.

In Pakistan, 25 million people practice open defecation and mostly live in poor rural dwellings and insecure urban informal settlements, making them the most difficult to reach.

In 2015 against considerable chal-

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lenges, Pakistan achieved the Millennium Development Goal to halve the proportion of people who in 1990 did not have access to improved sanitation. Using Pakistan Approach to Total Sanitation-PATS, entire communities abandoned the practice of open defecation, leading to improved health and nutrition indicators among their children.

“We cannot afford to let the future of Pakistan, our children, die or those, who survive, live without reaching their full mental and physical potential,” said Angela Kearney, UNICEF Repre-

sentative in Pakistan, on the eve of the World Toilet Day. Improving Nutrition Outcomes with Better Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, is a useful report prepared by UNICEF, USAID and the World Health Organization, for the first time brings together years of research and case studies which demonstrate the link between sanitation and malnutrition. More importantly, it provides guidance for action.

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health and hygiene

The Urgent Run Pakistan campaign

UN-Habitat and UNICEF in partnership with NED University Karachi and NUST Islamabad commemorated the World Toilet Day from 17 to 19th November 2015. In order to increase awareness about sanitation and hygiene in Pakistan, the university students organized walks at the campuses which highlighted the importance of advocacy in line with objectives of the World Toilet Day. A well-known actor Zahid Ahmed joined the walk in Karachi.

“1 in 3 people in the world still do not have access to a clean and safe toilet which causes spread of diseases” said Mr. IrfanAlrai, WASH Specialist UNICEF. “Sanitation plays a critical role in sustainable development as

recognized under the sustainable development goals. Inadequate sanitation and lack of toilets contribute towards diarrhea which kills around 142 children every day. The continuous suffering from diarrhea is linked to stunting and malnutrition. In Pakistan, 4 out of 10 children under five years of age are stunted. The government and sector partners in WASH must continue to trigger and mobilize communities so that the toilet use becomes a social norm”, he further told.

The walks were arranged as part of the international ‘Urgent Run’ advocacy campaign and are an integral part of the series of initiatives taken in Pakistan by organizations for World Toilet Day 2015.

The theme for 2015 World Toilet Day; ‘Better sanitation for better nutrition’ drew attention to the need for better sanitation to improve health and nutrition for everyone, everywhere.

While having a toilet is important for everyone, access to safe, clean toilets brings particular benefits to women and girls during menstruation. The Urgent Run Pakistan Walks have been used as a platform to disseminate the message of Menstrual Hygiene Management as well in an attempt to break the silence around MHM in Pakistan.

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human rights

Human Rights through Cinematography Human RigHts Day 2015

Human HumanRigHts RigHtstHRougH tHRougHcinematogRapHy cinematogRapHy isisorganized organizedby by

On December 16 1966, the United Nations General Assembly adopted two international treaties that would forever shape international human rights: The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Eighteen years in the making, the Two Covenants (as they are known today) along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created the International Bill of Human Rights and set out the civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that are the birth right of all human beings. The Two Covenants have played a role in both raising awareness of human rights but also in changing the lives of people and changing government policies. The Two Covenants are legally binding treaties for the countries that have adopted them (168 for the ICECSR and 162 for the ICCPR so far). Each of the Covenants is monitored by a committee of experts, who review the progress of States who have ratified and implemented the laws. They also hear from individuals complaining of their rights being violated and assess if States need to remedy the situation.

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The United Nations Information Centre Islamabad celebrated Human Rights Day 2015 by organizing a series of movie screenings on topics related to human rights between 05 and 13 December 2015.

On the 50th anniversary of the Two Covenants, The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the “Human Rights through Cinematography” screenings took place at several locations across Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Faisalabad. The screenings were organized jointly by Alliance Française, European Union, Indian High Commission, Goethe Institute, International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights Geneva, Quaid-e-Azam University, and the Swiss Confederation.

Migration, women’s and children’s rights, health, and corruption were among the key themes of the movies

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selected for the screenings. The geographic scope ranged from Europe to South America and South Asia. Movies like Sabogal, Ho Yaqeen, Something Better to Come, The Shelter, Akiyaya, Journey of Hope, Journey to Portugal, My sweet Pepper Land, Welcome, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan were screened across different locations in Pakistan to varied audiences.

Fifty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted two international treaties that have shaped international human rights till today: The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The two covenants have resulted in many countries recognizing human rights and the rule of law as the basis for truly resilient and stable societies.

A very encouraging turnout at prestigious locations such as German, Indi-

an and Swiss embassies, French cultural center and university campuses in Islamabad was proof that there is a significant want in Pakistan for the use of creativity to raise awareness about critical themes showcased in the movies to further the process of slow but progressive change.

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human rights

Poster competition “Our rights.

Our freedoms. Always.”

Deadlines are important. All entries would be sent at info.islamabad@unic.org with the subject title “Poster Competition Submission.”

The final deadline for submissions is 16th February 2016. The poster competition is part of a series of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

An effective way to raise awareness about global issues that need attention is to involve youngsters using their creative abilities. Keeping this in view The “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” poster competition was launched in Pakistan by the United Nations Information Centre.

The competition aims at giving school-aged children an opportunity to create a poster that illustrates human rights issues. The competition is open to primary school children, aged between five and eleven, and secondary school children, aged between twelve and eighteen.

tion is freedom and is open to all schools across Pakistan, including vocational training institutions and any special schools. Winning posters will be printed and distributed as part of the campaign. Also, the winning entry from Pakistan will be included in an online art gallery showcasing the entries of the competition from around the world.

The slogan “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” reflects the timelessness of rights and freedom and the relevance of the work that continues in securing and ensuring them.

Vittorio Cammarota, Director UNIC, said that the competition would allow children to learn about Human Rights and would be a good opportunity for students to represent Pakistan on an international forum, and be a part of the global human rights movement.”

The main theme of the competi-

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labour

Towards a Decent Work Network with academia In order to share information on the ILO’s global Decent Work Agenda and the Decent Work Country Program in Pakistan (DWCP) in the context of the socio-economic development of the country; labor and employment trends and to discuss the role of young women and men and academia in promoting Decent Work amongst a wide stakeholder base, a seminar was organized at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad aimed at establishing a collaborative framework on 12th November 2015. More than 50 research scholars and faculty members of the university attended the seminar.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has a unique tripartite structure which ensures that the voices of three key actors of the world of work (governments, employers and workers) are heard and given equal

importance in policy and development initiatives. The seminar outlined the current programs of ILO in Pakistan and reviewed ILO’s technical support globally and more specifically in countries in South Asia. The seminar was facilitated by three technical specialists from ILO Technical Support Team based in New Delhi (India), including Mr.SherVerick (Deputy Director Delhi Office), Mr. Markus Ruck (Snr. Technical Specialist on Social Protection) and Mr.RavindraPeiris (Snr. Technical Specialist on Employers’ Activities). The ILO Officer-in-Charge for Islamabad, Ms.Sherin Khan, also addressed the seminar and requested the university to identify areas of meaningful collaboration with ILO. The faculty members and students took keen interest in the issues related to the realization of decent work in

Pakistan and raised a number of questions related to causes of prevailing child labor in Pakistan, increasing informality of work, the extension of social protection, the relevance of ILO support to Pakistan, and challenges related to data and analysis for informed policy decision making.

Commitment to eradicate child and bonded labor from Balochistan Among the many challenges that Pakistan continues to face even today, one is that of elimination of child and bonded labor. For Balochistan province the challenge is even greater.It is very important for all stakeholders to get together and talk about such issues for it is only then that solutions can be thought about that can eventually result in meaningful action. For the very same reason, a one day Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting jointly organized by the Balochistan Labor and Manpower Department and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Office for Pakistan in Quetta was held on 24 November. The event was well attended as over fifty high level representatives from Government, Employers and Workers Organizations as well as civil society got together and deliberated on the Government of Baluchistan’s planned interventions to eradicate child and bonded labor from the Province.

Mr. Abdul Hamid Baloch-Commissioner, Balochistan Employees’ Social Security Institutions inaugurated the consultation and highlighted the urgent need to consolidate efforts to achieve

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significant results on the problem.

Funding of course remains a concern and Mr. Hamid-ul-Karim, Secretary Labor and Manpower, Government of Balochistan expressed the government’s commitment to get rid of the problem.

He told the meeting about the allocation of Rs. 40 million out of Balochistan Public Sector Development Program to address the issues of child and bonded labor.He went on to say that Baluchistan would follow the footsteps of Punjab Government’s Integrated Project in tackling child and bonded labor with the support of the ILO through collaborative efforts to deal with this challenge.

But what are the strategies to address child and bonded labor in Baluchistan? Mr. Saeed Ahmed, Director Labor touched upon them. Interventions against child and bonded labor would be piloted in eight districts of the province. Also, rapid assessments would be conducted with the technical assistance of the ILO to determine the scale of the problem and this will provide an evidence base for the planned interventions. Mr. Ahmed praised the support of the ILO in supporting the provincial

efforts to address child and bonded labor as well as the technical assistance being provided to develop strategies aimed at achieving intended targets envisaged under the approved PC-I. Syed SaghirBukhari-Senior Program Officer, ILO Country Office for introduced International Labor Organizations, its structure, role of constituents as well as core ILO conventions within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). During the round of discussion, everyone seemed to agree that there was a need to engage academia in conducting research and analysis, regular national surveys on child and bonded labor as well fostering public private partnerships in addressing the challenge. Other speakers included Dr. Javid Gill-Project Director, Integrated Project, Government of Punjab and Mr. JawadHussain-Assistant Director, FIA Immigration Quetta .This event was organized as part of ILO’s technical support to the Federal and Provincial Governments of Pakistan to enhance their efforts and resource allocation for the elimination of child and bonded labor.

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labour

Ensuring compliance with labor standards

Representatives from 12 textile industrial units attended the first session on ILS Compliance with a focus on ‘Occupational Safety & Health’ in Faisalabad.

ILO is collaborating with the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) and Oxfam-Novib to implement a series of orientation seminars for the

management and workers of 12 selected textile exporting units covering eight thematic areas of international labor standards. These eight areas include elimination of child labor, prohibition of forced labor, non-discrimination at workplace, promoting freedom of association & collective bargaining,

promoting minimum wages,ensuring employment security, ensuring proper working hours and promoting occupational safety and health at workplaces.

Mr Saad Gilani, Senior Programme Officer, highlighted key international Conventions and the requirements stipulated in these conventions on the selected thematic areas. He also apprised audience about key statistics, situation of national institutions and concepts for compliance.

These seminars are part of a three year collaboration between the ILO and PTEA for enhancing ILS compliance in the exporting units of textile industries.

A robust communication system will also be put in place to highlight the major compliance initiatives undertaken by the Government and private sector.

Brick kiln children in schools Anew three-year technical assistance project of ILO to support Federal and Provincial Governments, Employers and Workers’ organizations to ‘strengthen Labor Inspection System in Pakistan’ with financial support of Netherlands Government was recently launched. Addressing the launch of Labor Inspection project, Raja AshfaqSarwar, Minister for Labor and Manpower Punjab informed that Government of Punjab had completed a detailed survey of Brick Kilns in Punjab. There are 6,600 total brick kilns in Punjab and 23,000 children live in these kilns.18, 622 children have been successfully enrolled in schools for education

and the plight of workers is one of the major thrusts of this government and to achieve higher standards of Occupational Health and Safety (OSH), the government considers strengthening of Labor Inspection system as a top priority. The event was attended by representatives from federal and provincial governments, and representatives of workers, employers, academia and the civil society. The project launch was followed by a one and half day consultation among the relevant stakeholders concerned with labor inspection in Pakistan. Speaking to the audience on this occasion, ILO’s Country Director in Pakistan Ms.Sherin Khan highlighted

the importance of labor inspection. Ms. Khan maintained that labor inspection in Pakistan has gone through multiple transitions - from enforcement across the country to suspension in some provinces; and from centralization to devolution. These changes have been barring the effectiveness of labor inspection system thereby resulting in fatal industrial accidents.

Other stakeholders including representatives from Provinces of KP, Baluchistan and Sindh as well as Mines Department also talked and requested for the comprehensive approach towards Labor Inspection improvement.

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labour

Narratives of empowerment - training workshop on media reporting

The International Labor Organization (ILO) of the United Nations launched a special training program for electronic media journalists from Sindh and Balochistan provinces on improving portrayal of women in the world of work.

The two-day training in Karachi brought together over two dozen young and mid-career reporters and producers, half of them women, of more than 15 TV channels based in these two provinces. The training was conducted by Freedom Network, a Pakistani media development organization.

The training was part of an ILO project titled “Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE)” aimed at ensuring

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that Pakistani women have greater access to equal employment opportunities and decent working conditions in selected economic sectors; and that stakeholders have increased understanding of and favourable attitudes towards working women’s issues.

Among the topics covered in the training included, The Gender Lens and Women in the World of Work; Women in News Media; Mainstreaming Women and Work in Current Affairs; Women as Stories in the World of Work; Women’s Stories in the World of Work; and Viewing and Reporting Positively – Empowerment Narratives.

In the Karachi training, conducted by Adnan Rehmat and Afia Salam, the

media practitioners were introduced to the concept of GE4DE, how women in Pakistan have been making strides in their economic, professional and self-empowerment as well as the factors that promote this empowerment.

The ILO training series includes a small-grants program to assist reporters and media practitioners participating in the trainings to do research-based quality reporting based on the quality of their story ideas.

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gender equality united nations and women ’s empowerment

From landless peasants to successful entrepreneurs

Encouraged by their own entrepreneurial abilities and business potential, the women from landless peasant families of the village DaulatLeghari, District Mirpurkhas, in Sindh have setup “First Women-owned Bakery”.

Also, a group of unemployed youth have established a rural Computer Literacy Centre for providing training to hundreds of youth. These enterprises have been setup under a One-UN project “Livelihood Restoration, Protection and Sustainable Empowerment of Vulnerable Peasant Communities in Sindh Province (LRP). The inauguration of the two rural enterprises was performed by Mr Shafiq Ahmad Mahesar, Commissioner of Mirpurkhas Division.

The Commissioner, Mirpurkhas Division encouraged the rural entrepreneurs to excel further. He emphasized

the need for offering the IT skill trainings for girls so that they could start earning incomes by working from home. He offered the support and space for IT skills trainings for girls and also committed support to ILO’s future initiative of providing carpet weaving skills to unemployed youth .The Divisional Administration will provide full support to setting up of carpet weaving training centres in Mirpurkhas Division.

The unemployed boys have setup Rural IT Literacy Centre while the girls have established the ‘First Women-owned Bakery’. The women, who had also received toolkits as part of their elementary training, put their skills to action and started earning for themselves. They were preparing bakery items and were selling their produce in local schools, houses and

the rural markets within and around their village. Encouraged by their own abilities and potentials, the enterprising women decided to setup the First women-owned Bakery. They have materialized their dream of setting up the bakery, which they hope will soon grow and become competitive with other renowned bakeries in the urban locations.

The rural IT literacy Centre is yet another example of entrepreneurship demonstrated by the rural youth. A group of 25 unemployed youth who had secondary or higher secondary education and who couldn’t continue their education were identified. They enrolled for the elementary IT course and after receiving the training and toolkits, they setup a basic IT centre and some of them also managed to find jobs and paid work. The entrepreneurial group of youth has received support from the ILO and they have setup an IT literacy centre from where they are training hundreds of youth in market-oriented IT skills.

These interventions are part of a OneUN Project “Livelihood Restoration, Protection and Sustainable Empowerment of Vulnerable Peasant Communities in Sindh Province (LRP)” jointly implemented by three UN Agencies including ILO, FAO and UN-Women.

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National consultation: Goal 4—Education

UNESCO Islamabad, UNICEF and the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Government of Pakistan jointly organized the first national consultation workshop on Sustainable Development Goal – 4 (SDG) “the Education 2030 Agenda” in Islamabad.

The workshop aimed at developing a common understanding on SDG-4 and devising a roadmap and effective strategies for attainment of quality education and goals set for 2030 which were adopted at the World Education Summit in May 2015 in Incheon Republic of Korea this year.

The workshop is drawn upon the Framework for Action (FFA) Education 2030 adopted in November 2015 by the UNESCO Member States that aims at supporting all countries to realize their own vision and ambitions for education within the framework of the global SDG-4 and its targets.

The workshop aims at supporting all countries to realize their own vision

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and ambitions for education within the framework of the global SDG-4 and its targets. The FFA also proposes ways of implementing, coordinating, financing and monitoring Education 2030 to ensure equal opportunities for all. The implementation of the 2030 Education Agenda at national level requires country-led actions to drive change, supported by effective multi-stakeholder partnerships and financing.

More than 150 participants including officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT), provincial/ area education departments, civil society organizations, academia, media, United Nations agencies and donor community.

Ms.CrisMunduade, Deputy Representative UNICEF said the national consultation was an important event for all of us. She said the new SDGs goals stated a clear commitment to quality, inclusiveness and lifelong learning with a focus on childhood education. She also

talked about UNICEF’s strong support of early childhood development and learning process at national as well as provincial and areas level.

Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO Representative to Pakistan highlighted the whole consultative process of developing SDGs based on the learnings and lesson learnt from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All (EFA) goals. She explained about SDG-4 goals and targets with expectations from the countries to localize contextualize and devise an implementation strategy to its attainment.

Representatives of the United Nations in Pakistan and development partners including, Ms. Tracy Vienings, Deputy Country Director, UNDP; Mr.Jamshed Kazi, Country Director, UNWOMEN; Mr. Stephen Gluning, Deputy Country Director, WFP; Mr. Johann Pierre Siffointe, Deputy Representative, UNHCR; Ms.Umbreen Arif, Senior Education Specialist, World Bank; Mr.Saeed Ul Hassan, Head of Education, OXFAM GB; Ms. Julie Reviere, Country Director GIZ Pakistan and representative of the National Education Development Partner Group (NEDPG) and representatives of ILO; and UNFPA in their remarks deliberated on the issue and reaffirmed their commitment towards promoting and supporting the education agenda.

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gender equality in town and women’s empowerment

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador stresses on doing more for education

UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) in China, Yao Chen, came to Islamabad on a four-day official visit to meet Afghan refugee women and children and seek first-hand information to gather support for the education of refugee children. During her visit UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in China, Yao Chen inaugurated the newly constructed classrooms at the Government Elementary School for Boys in Union Council, Khadozai, Mianwali.

The school has been upgraded under the UN’s Refugee Affected and Hosting Area (RAHA) initiative funded by the US Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and implemented by the Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (RAPID).The project, Yao Chen inaugurated is one of the five schools, upgraded in Mianwali under RAHA by UNHCR which will benefit more than 2000 Pakistani and Afghan refugee students.In Pakistan, the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA)

initiative serves as an important vehicle for improving access to and quality of education for both Afghan refugees and their host communities. In 2015 alone, nearly 1 million people (23 % of whom are Afghan refugees) benefitted from 62 RAHA humanitarian projects (39% in the sector of education).

Yao Chen appreciated the progressive approach of the Government of Pakistan for adopting Article 25A in the Constitution of Pakistan that guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for all children between the age of 5-16 regardless of their race and nationality.

She also emphasized that Afghan refugees in Pakistan should also be provided the opportunity to benefit from the constitutional provision. During her daylong engagement in the refugee village, Yao Chen was accompanied by the Representative, UNHCR in Pakistan, IndrikaRatwatte; Chief Commissioner for Afghan refugees in Islamabad, Dr. Imran Zeb and Commissioner for Af-

ghanRefugees in Punjab ChaudhryRiazHameed.

Yao Chen also visited AqeelaAsifi; the 2015 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award winner. An Afghan refugee herself, Aqeela pioneered girls’ education in KotChandana refugee village in 1992 and has been promoting it since.

Her other engagements in the refugee village included, visit to a technical vocational training institute for boys and men, a handicraft exhibition by Afghan women and visit to schools. Yao also met with a group of young Afghan refugee girls, dropped out from school.

Yao Chen is the first Chinese super-star and GWA in China, visiting Pakistan and promoting refugee education. Yao expressed her interest to support UNHCR’s interventions for education after learning about Aqeela Asifi’s committed work and expressed her interest to advocate for refugee education in Pakistan.

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on air

Highlighting climate change on PTV World morning show What a great way to learn something new about a critical and serious issue that’s climate change!

Director UNIC Vittorio Cammarota and Anna Saksagon talked today about the Youth as key drivers of social change, about the project “Pakistani Youth for Climate Change” and the inspiring book on climate change with essays and drawings from young people around the country with the anchors on Pakistan Television’s morning show in English language.

RafiaSaleem, young environmental

activist shared her own experience of working on climate change issues with young people and made a call to make

global changes through change in our daily habits.

Pakistani youth for Climate Change on radio Together with FM 100 we worked on raising awareness among young people on climate change, hot topic nowadays! We thank our youth representatives, Hasan Mumtaz, Aneeq Ahmad and Shaheera Syed for sharing their voices on the role of youth for a cleaner and greener environment and encouraged their peers to take everyday ac-

tion to mitigate the climate change.

Vittorio Cammarota and Anna Saksagon talked about the project “Pakistani Youth for Climate Change” and how young people in Pakistan can contribute to the global conversation and action towards combatting climate change.

Talking about creative ways to highlight climate change on radio show Radio in Pakistan is significantly important because of its reach and therefore remains useful in spreading awareness.

Realising this UNIC’s Anna Saksagon arranged for a special show on Radio Pakistan where Controller News and Current Affairs, Mr. Javed Jadoon had a candid discussion with young ac-

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tivists Rafia Saleem and Sarah Khan about their own inspiring stories on how every young person can help mitigate climate change through educating their peers and raising awareness.

messages from secretary general

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Many perish in the conflicts they cover so fearlessly. But all too many have been deliberately silenced for trying to report the truth. Only 7 percent of such cases are resolved, and less than

1 crime out of 10 is even fully investigated. Such impunity deepens fear among journalists and enables Governments to get away with censorship.We must do more to combat this

trend and make sure that journalists can report freely. Journalists should not have to engage in self-censorship because they fear for their life.

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict Armed conflicts are becoming ever more complex, and require solutions that address the root causes.

Issues of poverty, vulnerability to climate shocks, ethnic marginalization and the transparent, sustainable and equitable management of

natural resources must be considered within and alongside peace agreements if we are to build more resilient and prosperous societies.

On this international day, let us reaffirm our commitment to protect the environment from the impacts

of war, and to prevent future conflicts over natural resources. These challenges are even more urgent as the international community formulates the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

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messages from secretary general

International Day for Tolerance Tolerance is much more than passively accepting the “other�. It brings obligations to act, and must be taught, nurtured and defended.

Tolerance requires investment by States in people, and in the fulfilment of their full potential through

education, inclusion and opportunities. This means building societies founded on respect for human rights, where fear, distrust and marginalization are supplanted by pluralism, participation and respect for differences.On the International

Day for Tolerance, let us recognize the mounting threat posed by those who strive to divide, and let us pledge to forge a path defined by dialogue, social cohesion and mutual understanding.

A quarter of all children under five are stunted, and countless other children, as well as adults, are falling seriously ill, often suffering long-term, even lifelong, health and developmental consequences. Parents and guardians carry the cost of these consequences. Women in particular women bear the direct brunt.

Despite the compelling moral and

economic case for action on sanitation, progress is too little and too slow. By many accounts, sanitation is the most-missed target of the Millennium Development Goals. This is why the Call to Action on Sanitation was launched in 2013, and why we aim to end open defecation by 2025.

The United Nations is preparing a Global Study that aims to shine a light on the scale and conditions of children deprived of their liberty and secure the protection of their rights.

The study will gather relevant data, identify good practices and help countries grasp the worrisome mag-

nitude of the phenomenon and design measures to address it. A coalition of UN actors has come together to assemble resources and expertise to take the study forward. I strongly support this effort and urge Member States to do so as well.

World Toilet Day Poor sanitation and hygiene are at the heart of disease and malnutrition.

Each year, too many children under the age of five have their lives cut short or altered forever as a result of poor sanitation: more than 800,000 children worldwide -- or one every two minutes-- die from diarrhea, and almost half of all deaths of children under five are due to undernutrition.

Africa Industrialization Day Africa needs to invest in training and education for women and youth to industrialize, grow the private sector and achieve sustainable development. SMEs can provide a solid foundation for sustained economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Roughly half of today’s 60 million forcibly displaced people are women.

Many who flee war and violence are often exploited by unscrupulous smugglers, and frequently suffer gender discrimination and xenophobia in host so-

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cieties. Those who are too young, too old or too frail to make the risky journey are left behind even more vulnerable without those who have left.

Even in areas at peace, violence against women persists in the form of

femicide, sexual assault, female genital mutilation/cutting, early marriage and cyber violence. These practices traumatize individuals and tear at the fabric of society.

news and events

messages from secretary general

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Recognizing the security challenges Israel faces, I nonetheless remind Israeli authorities that the use of force, if not properly calibrated, feeds anger and frustration. I urge Israeli security services to exercise maximum restraint, particularly in the use of lethal force.

Palestinians feel deep frustration over an occupation that has lasted nearly 50 years. Israelis fear deeply for their security. The lack of a political horizon to achieve the two-State solution risks allowing the situation to spiral out of control. The international community

can and must play a greater role to break the impasse. The Middle East Quartet continues its efforts to preserve the viability of a Palestinian State and establish conditions for a return to meaningful negotiations.

from rebounding, we must act on all fronts. We need to more than double the number of people on life-changing treatment to reach all 37 million of those living with HIV. We need to provide adolescent girls and young

women with access to education and real options to protect themselves from HIV. And we need to provide key populations with full access to services delivered with dignity and respect.

World AIDS Day The window of opportunity to act is closing. That is why I am calling for a Fast-Track approach to front-load investments and close the gap between needs and services.

To break the epidemic and prevent it

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery has for more than two decades extended humanitarian, financial and legal assistance to tens of thousands of victims around the world, making a meaningful differ-

ence in their lives. I urge Member States, businesses, private foundations and other donors to demonstrate their commitment to ending slavery by ensuring that this Fund has the resources to fulfil its mandate.

On this International Day for the Abo-

International Day of Persons with Disabilities As we look ahead, we need to strengthen development policies and practices to ensure that accessibility is part of inclusive and sustainable development. This requires improving our knowledge of the challenges facing all persons with disabilities – including through more robust, disaggregated data -- and ensuring that

they are empowered to create and use opportunities.

Together with persons with disabilities, we can move our world forward by leaving no one behind.

lition of Slavery, let us resolve to use the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a roadmap for stamping out root causes and freeing all enslaved people in our world.

International Volunteer Day Today, on International Volunteer Day, I thank the more than 6,300 United Nations Volunteers and 11,000 United Nations Online Volunteers who help millions of people to make sustainable change and peace happen. I also commend and salute the one billion community volunteers worldwide.

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messages from secretary general

World Soil Day The challenge before us is clear.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 33 per cent of global soils are already degraded. This trend must be reversed through sustain-

able soil management practices.

Soils are the foundation of food systems. They are critical for achieving food security and nutrition. Only healthy soils will produce healthy food with the best nutrition-

al value possible. They also aid the production of pharmaceuticals and genetic resources – and contribute to water storage and purification.

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Across the world today, intolerance and xenophobia are on the rise. A dangerous “us versus them” dynamic is often being exploited to justify the exclusion of communities based on different forms of identity such as religion, ethnicity or other, and to deny assistance, restrict human rights and

perpetrate atrocious acts of violence.

The prevention of genocide is a specific obligation under international law. The International Court of Justice and other judicial bodies have made that very clear. Governments must act on this imperative by investing in prevention and taking preven-

International Anti-Corruption Day On International Anti-Corruption Day, I call for united efforts to deliver a clear message around the world that firmly rejects corruption and embraces instead the principles of transparency,

accountability and good governance.

This will benefit communities and countries, helping to usher in a better future for all.

International Migrants Day The world urgently needs to build upon these efforts with a new global compact on human mobility based on better cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination, with enhanced responsibility sharing, and full respect of the human rights of migrants, regardless of their status.

We must expand safe channels for regular migration, including for family reunification, labor mobility at all skill levels, greater resettlement opportunities, and education opportunities for children and adults. I also urge all countries to sign and ratify the International Convention on the Protection

tive action. On this new international observance, let us recognize the need to work together more concertedly to protect individuals from gross human rights violations and uphold our common humanity.

Human Rights Day Today we reaffirm our commitment to protecting human rights as the foundation of our work. This is the spirit of the UN’s Human Rights up Front initiative, which aims to prevent and respond to large-scale violations.On Human Rights Day, let us recommit to guaranteeing the fundamental freedoms and protecting the human rights of all.

of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; only one-fourth of UN Member States have done so.

International Human Solidarity Day Far too many have fled violent extremists only to be victimized again by xenophobia, discrimination and abuse.

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the vulnerable elevates us all.

With diversity under verbal and violent attack in so many parts of the world, let us make the most of International Human Solidarity Day by reaffirming

our common humanity, defending our shared values and creating a better future for all.

news and events

We the People Displaced Persons in Lebanon 30 March 1978

Apartheid: the tyranny of racism made law 1 January 1982

The end of Portuguese rule in Angola 1 July 1975

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gender equality photo album and women ’s empowerment

photo album

We the People It’s Human Rights Day for them, too 1 December 1950

Smallpox Epidemic in Leopoldvill (Congo) 2 January 1952

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photo album

We the People Focus on the elderly: the world assembly on aging 1 January 1981

International Year for Disabled Persons (IYDP) 1981

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photo album

We the People Apartheid: the tyranny of racism made law 1 January 1982

Korean physical rehabilitation centre expands with aid of UN

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photo album

We the People Population explosion - the concern of all nations 1 July 1982

Street children in Brazil 1 January 1986

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photo album

We the People Kosovo refugees 1 April 1999

Palestine Arab refugees 1 January 1957

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photo album

We the People United Nations AIDS Arab refugees in the Middle East 1 January 1949

Launch time for Arab refugee 1 January 1949

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photo album

We the People Understanding the continuing tragedy in the Sahel 1 April 1986

Waiting fot food from UNICEF 1 January 1949

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photo album

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photo album

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www.un.org.pk www.facebook.com/UnitedNationsPakistan

The United Nations Pakistan Newsletter is produced by the United Nations Communications Group

Editor in Chief: Vittorio Cammarota, Director, United Nations Information Centre Sub Editor: Waqas Rafique Producer (photography): Umair Khaliq Graphic Designer: Mirko Neri Contributors: Sajid Abbasi, Qaiser Khan Afridi, Mahira Afzal, Muhammad Ajmal, Rizwana Asad, Alfredo Pérez de Armiñán, Jawad Aziz, Muhammed Benyameen, Syed Saghir Bokhari, Justin D. Brookes, Cayelan C. Carey, Belinda Chanda, Muhammad Nader Farhad, Kendra Gregson, Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Naveed Hussain, Fatimah Inayat, Vibeke Jensen, Lucie Kanova, Abid Niaz Khan, Duniya Aslam Khan, Riaz Karim Khan, Abdul Sami Malik, Mashhood Ahmad Mirza, Zubair Muhammad, Leena Nishtar, Edward Rees, Ishrat Rizvi, Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Zikrea Saleah, Sumaira Samad, Emma Sykes, Faria Salman, Muqaddar Shah, Asif Shahzad, Gita Sen, Hiba Siddiqui, Tabida Siddiqi, Qian Tang, Javaria Tareen, Nida Tariq, Md. Aktar Uddin, Maryam Yunus, Midhat Zaidi Photographers: Asad Zaidi, Atif Mansoor Khan, Faria Salman, Henriette Bjoerge, Ibrahim Khan, Samad Khan, H Kakar

The United Nations has a long-standing partnership with the people of Pakistan in support of national development goals. The United Nations has also been providing humanitarian assistance in case of natural disasters and crises. Led by the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations works in all eight administrative areas of Pakistan through 19 resident organizations. Straddling humanitarian assistance and sustainable development, the work of the United Nations in Pakistan includes key areas such as education, health, water & sanitation, nutrition, economic growth, employment and livelihoods, resilience against disaster, governance, gender equality and social justice.

The One UN Programme for Pakistan, United Nations focuses on accelerating progress towards achievement of Millennium Development Goals, reducing poverty, promoting opportunities for youth as well as advancing gender equality and human rights both at national and sub-national levels.

United Nations encourages economic growth in Pakistan through supporting policies and programmes that link small farmers to markets, improving working conditions for women and supporting home-based and domestic workers. It will also assist the Government in strengthening democratic processes and institutions at the federal, provincial and local levels. Tackling the effects of climate change and reducing Pakistan’s vulnerabilities to natural disasters features especially prominently in the work of the United Nations in Pakistan.

For subscription please send us an email at: unic.islamabad@unic.org