UN Newsletter Issue No. 2 (2016)

UNITED NATIONS PAKISTAN Newsletter 2 / 2016

Focus on Industry and Innovation.

Aligning UNIDO’s services to inclusive and sustainable industrial development and the 2030 Agenda.

UNIDO celebrates 50 years of promoting sustainable industrialization and shared prosperity.

Market access and trade: a route to prosperity.

Development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan.

Promoting Global Green Technologies and supporting UNIDO’s efforts to achieve SDGs. Towards innovative industrial infrastructure and sustainability.

Adopting modern production patterns for clean and green technology innovation.

Combining green initiatives.

Fostering entrepreneurship in clean technology innovation.

Promoting clean technology in Pakistan.

Real lives: stories that inspire us

Zaheen Machines’ energy efficient retrofit future.

ONE UNITED NATIONS

Who should lead the United Nations?.

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Page 18

GUEST IN TOWN

NEWS AND EVENTS

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A step towards self sufficiency.

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WFP’s Global Nutrition Director, Lauren Landis visits Pakistan.

ON AIR

Diplomatic Enclave interview with heads of UN agencies on nutrition and food security.

Page 101

MESSAGES FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL World Wildlife Day 3 March.

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PHOTO ALBUM Page 106

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

Editor in Chief: Vittorio Cammarota, Director, United Nations Information Centre Sub Editors: Fatima Rauf, Myrah Butt Producer (photography): Umair Khaliq Producer (content): Anna Saksagon Graphic Designer: Mirko Neri Contributors: Sajid Abbasi, Ghulam Abbas, Qaiser Khan Afridi, Mahira Afzal, Esam Alqararah, Muhammad Ajmal, Rizwana Asad, Alfredo Pérez de Armiñán, Jawad Aziz, Muhammed Benyameen , Syed Saghir Bokhari, Justin D. Brookes, Henriette Bjoerge, Cayelan C. Carey, Belinda Chanda, Jannat Durrani, Muhammad Nader Farhad , Kendra Gregson, Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Naveed Hussain, Basharat Hussain, Fatimah Inayat, Zara Jamil, Vibeke Jensen, Lucie Kanova , Abid Niaz Khan , Duniya Aslam Khan , Riaz Karim Khan, Steffen Kaeser, Abdul Sami Malik, Mashhood Ahmad Mirza, Zubair Muhammad, Leena Nishtar, Edward Rees, Zikrea Saleah, Emma Sykes , Faria Salman, , Muqaddar Shah, Asif Shahzad, Gita Sen, Hiba Siddiqui, Tabida Siddiqi, Qian Tang, Javaria Tareen , Md. Aktar Uddin, Maryam Yunus, Midhat Zaidi.

Photographers: Basharat Hussain, Atif Mansoor Khan, Henriette Bjoerge, Faria Salman, HBO, Asad Zaidi, A Sami Malik, J Carrier, Delphine Schacher.

Index |4|

United Nations Pakistan / Newsletter / 2 / 2016

Note from the editor

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| 5 | Industry and Innovation | 7 | Aligning UNIDO’s services to inclusive and

sustainable industrial development and the

2030 Agenda

| 10 | Market access and trade: a route to

prosperity

| 14 | Adopting modern production patterns for

clean and green technology innovation

| 11 | Development of small and medium

enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan

| 15 | Combining green initiatives | 16 | Fostering entrepreneurship in clean

technology innovation

| 9 | UNIDO celebrates 50 years of promoting

sustainable industrialization and shared

prosperity

| 12 | Promoting Global Green Technologies and

supporting UNIDO’s efforts to achieve SDGs

real lives: stories that inspire us

|51| ‘Women Business Growth Centre’ launched

on International Women’s Day 2016

sports for development

|52| Gender inequality remains in the global labour

market

|88| Q&A with Suleman Arshad, founder of the Pakistan

Para Climbing Club

|18| Zaheen Machines’ energy efficient retrofit future |19| Clean, green, riding machine! Burn calories, not

carbon |20| Bitsym Watersense promotes clean

drinking water |21| Tawanai Solutions: dreaming of a better earth |22| A football victory for girls’ rights in Karachi |23| Poor hygiene is costly! |24| Communities work together to fight with

sewerage problems |25| Women working for polio eradication in

Pakistan news and events agriculture and food security

|26| A step towards self sufficiency |27| From sheep to shawl: wool value chain

development in Balochistan

| 13 | Towards innovative industrial infrastructure

and sustainability

|53| Briefing on the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Women’s Economic

Empowerment by Ms. Fiza Farhan |54| This International Women’s Day, “Celebrate

womanhood, Celebrate your strength” |56| Q&A with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy,

pakistani journalist, activist and film-maker |59| Empowering women through food tech |60| Stop labelling women, freeze the tease:

#LabelvsYou |60| Acknowledging Pakistani women change makers on International Women’s Day |61| Purple balloon walk and pledge for a “Planet

50-50 by 2030”

|28| Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donates dates

for relief assistance

|62| UN Women and the Aurat Foundation step it up

for gender equality

|29| Pakistan supports food security of

displaced and returnee families

|63| Pakistan at the 60th session of the Commission

on the Status of Women

|30| Damaging effects of climate change

|64| Women’s participation and leadership - a game

changer to current political paradigms

|31| Relief and livelihood interventions in

Pakistan’s north-west

health

cultural heritage

|66| Pakistan progressing on immunisation efforts

|32| Reactive monitoring mission to World

Heritage Site, Makli Necropolis

|67| Global competition to raise awareness on early

childhood development

disaster risk management

|68| Prevention and management of diabetes is crucial

|33| Better disaster risk reduction plans and

initiatives in KPK

|69| UN-Habitat’s key contribution to polio eradication

in Pakistan

|34| Pakistan benefits from expertise in risk

reduction and rehabilitation |35| International cooperation on management of

transboundary floods

human rights

|70| Initiative to protect girls from child marriage

drugs and crime

|71| Picturing freedom: UN Human Rights Office

announces young Pakistani as winner of

children’s poster competition

|36| Addressing the challenges of human trafficking

and migrant smuggling in Pakistan

|72| Interview of Eiza Abid, winner of the

“Celebrating Freedom” poster competition

|37| Pakistan at the Special Session on the World

Drug Problem

|73| Pakistani documentary screened at the International Film Festival and Forum in Geneva

|38| United Nations Special Session of the General

Assembly on the World Drug Problem in 2016

(UNGASS) |39| Capacity building for effective law enforcement |40| Fighting against human trafficking in the

Gujranwala region |41| Strengthening border security against illicit drug

trafficking and related transnational organised

crime |42| Unplugged Programme |43| The Families and Schools Together (FAST)

Programme |44| Launch ceremony of drug awareness

campaign education

|45| SDG-4 consultations in Pakistan |46| Government of KP takes initiative in

implementing SDG-4 gender equality and women’s empowerment

|47| Punjab Women’s Protection Bill: a giant step

for humankind |48| Call for a bigger role for women in Pakistani

media |50| The real ‘game changer’ for Pakistani women

industrial development

|74| Promoting export-led development of

employment and growth |75| Trade related technical assistance through the

years 2010-2016 |76| Increasing productivity to revive economic

growth and support the 2030 Agenda in Asia-

Pacific |77| Providing support to cutlery manufacturers in

Wazirabad labour

|78| Paralegal training provided to trade unionists |79| Occupational Safety and Health Day 2016 |80| Workplace stress is a collective challenge and we

need to do something about it |82| Workshop on “Gender Mainstreaming” migrants

| 17 | Promoting clean technology in Pakistan

|87| Celebrating sport for development and peace

|89| Q&A with Sana Mahmud, Captain of the Pakistan

National Women’s Basketball Team |91| Football: changing young women’s lives in

Pakistan water and sanitation

|92| Climate change and lack of sanitation threaten

water safety for millions |93| ‘Water for Pakistan’ football tournament held on

World Water Day 2016 |94| Seminar to commemorate World Water Day

2016 |95| UN-Habitat plays catalytic role in improving

access to urban basic services |96| Proper maintenance of sanitation and hygiene

needed among Jacobabad residents one united nations

|97| Who should lead the United Nations? |99| International drug policy is not an end, it is the

means to put people first |100| Pakistan’s Humanitarian Country Team

celebrates International Women’s Day guest in town

|100| WFP’s Global Nutrition Director, Lauren Landis

visits Pakistan on air

|101| Diplomatic Enclave interview with heads of

UN agencies on nutrition and food security |101| Radio interview for International Day of

Sports for Peace and Development messages from secretary-general

|102| World Wildlife Day 3 March |102| International Women’s Day 8 March |103| International Day of Happiness 20 March |103| International Day for the Elimination of

Racial Discrimination 21 March |103| International Day of Nowruz 21 March |103| World Water Day 22 March |104| International Day of Remembrance of the

Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic

Slave Trade 25 March |104| International Day for the Right to the Truth

Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and

for the Dignity of Victims 24 March |104| International Day of Solidarity with Detained

and Missing Staff Members 25 March |104| World Autism Awareness Day 2 April |105| International Day of Mine Awareness and

Assistance in Mine Action 4 April |105| International Day of Sport for Development and

Peace 6 April |105| International Day of Reflection on the Genocide

in Rwanda |105| International Mother Earth Day 22 April

|83| Pakistan’s first ever Migrant Resource Centre

inaugurated in Islamabad

|105| Day of Remembrance for all Victims of

Chemical Warfare 29 April

refugees and displaced persons

photo album

|84| Rehabilitating FATA and assisting returnees |85| Essential infrastructure provided for the crisis

affected people of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |86| Improvement and extension of the

Balochistan Institute of Nephro-Urology Quetta

|106| Photo album

note from the editor

Dear readers, The second issue of 2016 focuses on the themes of sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. As UNIDO celebrates its 50th anniversary, we highlight the achievements of the organization in promoting industrial development in Pakistan and helping it achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. There is a diverse range of stories that demonstrate UNIDO’s innovative approach to addressing pressing issues such as climate change.

We are very proud to share the success of Eiza Abid, a young Pakistani who was declared the winner of the ‘Our Rights, Our Freedom, Always’ global poster competition organized by the UN Human Rights office.

International Women’s Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across the country, with events highlighting the accomplishments of Pakistani women and the progress being made to achieve gender equality. Additionally, the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women was held in New York from 14 to 24 March 2016.

We congratulate the Pakistani mission on their participation and the valuable contributions they made at the Commission.

World Water Day 2016 was also commemorated with the theme of ‘better water, better jobs’ and events were held across the country to raise awareness on water-related issues.

We report on the work of UN Habitat in improving sanitation services and access to clean drinking water in areas such as Jacobabad.

The International Day of Sports for Peace & Development was celebrat-

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ed on 6 April with a series of events being held in different cities. In our efforts to empower the youth, in this issue, we have given voices to both Suleman Arshad, a visually impaired athlete who established the first para-climbing club of Pakistan and Sana Mahmud, the captain of the Pakistan National Women’s Basketball Team.

I am very grateful to the members of the UN Communications Group and the UN Country Team for their collaboration and continued support.

Collectively, we aim to document the work done by the 19 UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in the country, for the benefit of the Pakistani people.

Vittorio Cammarota Director, United Nations Information Centre

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Industry and Innovation I am pleased to send my congratulations to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on its fiftieth anniversary. Over the past half century, UNIDO has worked to reduce poverty, create jobs, promote greener industries, and help countries benefit from international trade and technological progress.

I salute your efforts to create shared prosperity, advance economic competitiveness while safeguarding the environment, and empower women and youth. All of this is crucial to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Through its Programme for Country Partnership, UNIDO has put forward a concrete model to operationalize and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.

This Programme provides an excellent model for our shared work to realize the SDGs and build a life of dignity for all.

I commend UNIDO for its dedication and hard work over the past 50 years, and wish the Organization well for the future.

Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General of the United Nations

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Aligning UNIDO’s services to inclusive and sustainable industrial development and the 2030 Agenda

Two years after the adoption of the Lima Declaration, we can proudly say that much has been achieved.

With the guidance we received from you, our Member States, UNIDO has been able to navigate through uncharted waters, and sail safely and with reinvigorated spirit towards new opportunities ahead...

Under your guidance, we have worked hard. We have strengthened our partnerships. We have been innovative. And I am pleased that we have achieved considerable success in meeting all of these objectives, despite very limited financial resources and great uncertainties.

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Anchoring UNIDO’s mandate in the post-2015 framework

Implementing the 2030 Agenda requires strong leadership

In September this year, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the United Nations (UN) Summit on Sustainable Development. This agenda will guide all our development efforts over the next fifteen years, and we are highly satisfied with its provisions. ISID is fully recognized in the new agenda, and is prioritized as one of the main drivers for development, finance and stability. Sustainable Development Goal 9 spells out the importance of ISID. But we can also see the significance of ISID for all the Sustainable Development Goals… UNIDO will play a crucial role in supporting countries to move towards higher degrees of economic growth, social inclusiveness and environmental sustainability. This is a powerful mandate, recognized by all UN Member States, the broader UN system, the private sector, and all stakeholders at large. We now have the responsibility to rapidly advance ISID. This is why we have fine-tuned our strategic plans, sharpened our technical cooperation approaches, and strengthened our normative and policy advisory role. And we have let the world know of our commitment to contribute effectively to this new development agenda.

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, ISID became more relevant than ever. We must now work to scale up our efforts to support our Member States as they strive towards the achievement of this objective. But this cannot be done by the Secretariat alone – despite the hard work of all UNIDO staff under increasingly challenging circumstances. It will also require your leadership.

The same strong leadership that led to the Lima Declaration and ISID. The same strong leadership that led to the full recognition of UNIDO’s mandate in the new overarching development framework of the global community – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This same leadership will be required for the implementation, follow-up and review of the new Agenda.

Aligning UNIDO’s services to ISID and the 2030 Agenda We have fully updated UNIDO’s strategy to deliver on the SDGs, in particular Goal 9. We have designed a strategic framework for the next four years – the medium-term programme framework, MTPF, 2016-2019 – which is al-

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ready in full alignment with the 2030 Agenda, and provides the strategic framework for all our programmes.

Our thematic priorities rightly reflect the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. This framework fully prepares us to deliver on a universal, comprehensive, holistic and interrelated set of SDGs through inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Operationally, UNIDO is continuing to increase the impact of its activities. We have also made further progress on following an integrated and holistic approach to our service delivery, for example by mainstreaming even stricter criteria for gender equality, social inclusiveness and environmental sustainability in all our programmes.

Engaging partners in technical cooperation programmes With regard to partnerships, UNIDO has expanded its efforts to engage as many relevant partners as possible in its technical cooperation programmes. Such partnerships need to be relevant to context-specific national priorities, and also to be adequately supported by a variety of financing models and industrial policies. To achieve this, we reached out and established close ties with various prestigious institutions from the public sector, finance, civil society, academia, and especially the private sector.

Working with the private sector to achieve ISID With its financial, technological and innovative capacities, the private

sector represents a particularly important potential contributor to the achievement of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, and this is why I am placing great emphasis on engaging with private firms and industry associations as we move ahead with our work. At the same time, we are also seeking to enhance the impact of our services. The new generation of UNIDO technical cooperation programmes aims to effectively trigger an industrialization process with tangible results and, ultimately, a larger developmental impact. We intend to further intensify our efforts in this direction, and to considerably scale up the impact of our activities by enhancing our normative and policy advisory services and creating more effective linkages and synergies between these services and our technical cooperation programmes.

Accelerating ISID implementation through the Programme for Country Partnership The Programme for Country Partnership – or PCP – which was initiated on a pilot basis in Ethiopia and Senegal in November 2014, is a unique and highly recognized initiative to exemplify this quest for partnership-based, innovative, and high-impact solutions to accelerate the implementation of ISID. Indeed, it has been seen within the UN system as an outstanding example of how such a partnership-based model of development cooperation may be deployed for the broader implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The premise of this

new partnership approach is that UNIDO needs to progressively become a coordinator, broker, and policy advisor on industry-related matters for all our partners – governments, the private sector, international organizations, and development financial institutions. Only through these partnerships will we have a truly catalytic effect and enhanced impact on the industrial development of our Member States.

And the success of the pilot phase of the PCPs confirms that UNIDO has embarked in the right direction.

After a year of implementation, significant results have already been achieved…

The integration of country ownership, industrial policy alignment, and a results-driven partnership approach is proving a successful strategy to attract the investments needed to realize ISID. Based on this, we have now decided to expand the programme to a third country: Peru. This experience will demonstrate for the first time the PCP approach in a middle-income country, with a per-capita income of around US$ 7,000, and we hope for many followers once we can show first results.

Gender equality and the empowerment of women During this Conference you have a challenging list of items before you.

One of them is particularly close to my heart: Gender equality and the empowerment of women. Our gender policy rightly recognizes the significant positive impact of gender equality on inclusive and sus-

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tainable industrial development, poverty reduction, social integration and environmental sustainability. At this General Conference, we are presenting a new strategy to you that will help us implement our gender policy over the period of the MTPF. This strategy is based on a multi-track approach.

First, we will make gender an integral dimension of all UNIDO programmes, policies and practices.

Second, we will engage in more gender-specific interventions – including women’s economic empowerment programmes – with the objective of allowing for equal participation and benefit from our development efforts. Third, we will build a strong partnership with UN Women and other relevant organizations in the UN system and beyond to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in UNIDO’s country programmes and convening activities.

Addressing the systemic root causes of migration It is said that climate change would create millions of climate refugees.

However, we are already amidst one of the most significant migration emergencies for decades. With the world facing the largest crisis of forced displacement since the Second World War, I join the UN Secretary-General in calling upon you – the Member States of UNIDO – to meet this immense challenge without lessening your commitment to vitally needed official development assistance.

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To mitigate this crisis, economic and social stabilization need to be advanced quickly and energetically. A holistic approach to development must be adopted to prevent further humanitarian disasters and tragedies.

While humanitarian support is required to alleviate the immediate human suffering, a long-term solution can only lie in the implementation of sustained and integrated development efforts, along the lines given in the 2030 Agenda. UNIDO has been engaged for many years to help overcome the systemic root causes of migration through effective measures to create employment and income opportunities. These measures have included our various programmes to support entrepreneurs, agro-industries, SMEs, and industry-related institutions – to mention just a few. We have also given particular emphasis to support the creation of decent jobs for youth – to give them a perspective for the future. A perspective for a life in dignity. In all countries: Least developed countries, middle-income countries, and even high-income countries.

Advancing peaceful and stable societies requires opportunities and prosperity for all. ISID is therefore a major contributor for stability, prosperity and peace. This is why I plead to you – our Member States to increase your investment in our important work towards ISID. Li Yong Director General UNIDO

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UNIDO celebrates 50 years of promoting sustainable industrialization and shared prosperity

UNIDO’s celebration of its 50th anniversary is a very auspicious occasion and my heartfelt appreciation goes to the organization for its marvelous achievements throughout.

Specifically in Pakistan’s context, the organization’s existence here for over 48 years has been very productive and instrumental in augmenting industrial development in the Country.

UNIDO has continuously shaped itself to befittingly fulfil the needs of the fast changing and diversified economies of developing countries like Pakistan. In 2013, the mission of UNIDO was re-described in the Lima Declaration to promote and accelerate Inclusive and Sustaina-

ble Industrial Development (ISID) in developing countries and economies in transition. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach is recognized by the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards development in the next fifteen years. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to ‘Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation’. It has focused on improving Pakistan's quality of industrial policy by generating, disseminating and sharing world-class knowledge resources and building capacity for sustainable industrial development.

The UNIDO portfolio in Pakistan has been very strong in the past and currently focuses on three major areas: Industrial Development, Trade Capacity building and Climate Change. The Industrial sector is one of the major constituents of the national GDP of Pakistan. UNIDO has been very actively involved in promoting the competitiveness of various industrial and strategic products by enhancing its value chain along all the potential facets enabling the country to compete in the global arena.

The majority of the population of

Pakistan is threatened with the issue of Climate change and manmade pollution. Thus, UNIDO is focusing on building resilience and mitigating the carbon emission by fostering clean technology industries, like renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Likewise, UNIDO also believes that Clean Technology focus in Pakistan could unlock a significant potential for a pathway leading to economic prosperity. The major focus on innovation has great potential for mobilizing youth entrepreneurship for sharing the job burden on the economy. Indeed, the move towards a lower carbon, more resource-efficient economy is expected to yield a double-dividend in terms of employment and environmental improvement.

I can ensure that UNIDO’s strategic vision in Pakistan is very much in line with the organization’s mission of bringing prosperity to its people, particularly its weakest faction-the poor, through Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.

Esam Alqararah UNIDO Representative in Pakistan

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Market access and trade: a route to prosperity

The international community adopted the Sustainable Development goals in 2016 and a global effort will be made to allow countries to reach inclusive and sustainable economic and industrial development. This includes the development of human capital through improved employment opportunities, favorable working conditions, and efficient management of natural resources and of the environment.

The Euro 12 million Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) II programme has been focusing on precisely that since its inception in 2010.

Through the continued support of the European Union, with UNIDO as the lead implementing agency, and with the cooperation of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the programme has contributed sig-

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nificantly to Pakistan’s development efforts in these years.

TRTA contributed to creating a modern business environment for private sector development by strengthening key institutions like the Competition Commission, the Trade Dispute Resolution Organization, Intellectual Property Organization, and the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development.

Impressive results have been achieved in promoting selected export products from Pakistan in international markets, in particular fisheries products, mangoes, Kinnow, fans, surgical equipment, protective gloves and boots.

TRTA facilitated high-end market linkages in the Kinnow and mango sector, which led to sales in Europe and Asia. This export success is a powerful driver for more economic growth and further creation of better employment

through enhanced skills for Pakistan’s people.Pakistan’s quality infrastructure today meets international requirements and has gained full recognition by its international peers. Through the support of TRTA, Pakistan today has a national quality policy, an accreditation body, as well as more than 40 product-testing and metrology laboratories that can globally testify of the standards compliance of national products while at the same time better protect local consumers. The NAPHIS Bill for the establishment of a National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority has been approved by the PM and is ready for submission to the Parliament for enactment.

Pakistan’s industries are today in a better position to achieve compliance with international standards and regulations in areas such as product standards, regulations for consumer protection, labour standards and worker health and safety requirements, as well as environmental impact. This compliance will contribute to better taking advantage of market access provisions like the EU GSP+ scheme and at the same time be an important step towards the sustainable development objectives which Pakistan shares with its international partners.

Steffen Kaeser Chief, Quality, Standards and Conformity Unit, Trade Capacity Branch, UNIDO

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Development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan

A nation’s economic development is coupled with the growth and advancement of its Industrial Sector especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Pakistan, since its foundation, has primarily had an agriculture-based economy, but with the passage of time, the country has proceeded with industrialization in many other sectors like textiles, Auto, Surgical, Cutlery etc. The present era of industrial modernization is characterized by innovation coupled with prosperity. The most critical feature of Pakistan’s present economy is the contrast between its vast natural resources and its lack of comprehensive Industrialization.

Industrial development remains key objective of UNIDO. UNIDO’s sustainable industrial development states: ‘Every country achieves a higher level

of industrialization in their economies, and benefits from the globalization of markets for industrial goods and services’.

Pakistan is one of the most populous and geographically pivotal developing countries; it has an ample amount of natural and human resources and is striving for Industrial growth by developing SMEs. The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is a premiere institution of the Government of Pakistan mandated for the development of SMEs under the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P).

SMEDA and UNIDO have a common agenda of industrialization and are building synergies through different initiatives like Cluster development, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE), Biomass Gasification

Technology (BGT), Clean Tech and Investment Promotion. In order to identify development interventions, SMEDA with the support of UNIDO, prepared Diagnostic Studies for different SME clusters including sports Wear, Auto Part, PVC Pipes & Plastic Products, Marble & Granite and others.

The current energy situation in Pakistan demands the adoption of alternate energy sources like Biomass, Solar etc. Biomass including rice husk, corncob, wood chip, sawdust etc. is being used successfully globally both for process heat and power generation. UNIDO, in collaboration with SMEDA is promoting use of the latest Biomass Gasification Technology in Pakistan. Furthermore, UNIDO is also introducing latest management practices for reducing inefficiencies in energy consumption in SME sectors.

Establishment of the Investment Promotion Unit (IPU) at SMEDA reflects UNIDO’s determination for promoting Investment in SME Industrial Sector in Pakistan. In short UNIDO is playing its part in effectively stirring Industrial development in Pakistan, which is unlocking our potential by introducing modern and new technologies related to human or material resource Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry Chief Executive Office SMEDA

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Promoting Global Green Technologies and supporting UNIDO’s efforts to achieve SDGs

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), established in 1984, is the premier trade body of the federal capital. The main role of ICCI is to promote the business interests of its members and it strongly advocates the voice of the business community on important issues of trade and industry. Most of its members belong to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs). SMEs are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy as they comprise 98% of businesses, employ 78% of the non-agricultural labor force, earn 30% of export earnings of the manufacturing sector and contribute 40% to GDP. The main focus of ICCI’s initiatives is to foster a conducive environment for SMEs and thus, ICCI efforts make a significant contribution towards

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achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as better growth of SMEs would contribute to reducing unemployment and overcoming poverty.

ICCI has developed working relations with UNIDO and has collaborated with it in many initiatives.

In February 2015, Mr. Li Yong, Director General, UNIDO visited our Chamber and held a fruitful interaction with SMEs of this region to seek their input for developing strategies to support projects that could ensure inclusive, sustainable and environment friendly growth. At the occasion, various women entrepreneurs of this region put up an impressive exhibition of their products which was highly appreciated by the visiting guest.

ICCI also collaborated with UNIDO in Global Clean Program, the world’s biggest clean technology competition to invite Pakistani entrepreneurs to come up with the best ideas to address today’s most pressing energy, environmental and economic challenges. The initiative was highly successful as Pakistan received highest number of applications, including highest number of female applicants for this competition. One of the Pakistani entrepreneurs emerged as runner up of this competition.

ICCI and UNIDO have also a Women Business Growth Centre at the

occasion of International Womens Day this year to encourage and support women entrepreneurs of this region to convert their clean technology innovations into successful business ventures. Here I would like to acknowledge the role of Mr. Esam Alqararah, UNIDO Representative in Pakistan and Dr. Shahina Waheed, National Program Coordinate of UNIDO for taking the lead to develop strong collaboration with ICCI in various initiatives.

I look forward to continuing our collaboration with UNIDO as it has yielded positive results for local industry and business ventures.

Atif Ikram Sheikh President ICCI- Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and industries

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Towards innovative industrial infrastructure and sustainability

In the new global economic scenario, the growth and development of economy of a country depends on its industrial competitiveness in the global market. One of the essential functions of Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) is to facilitate and coordinate the development of policies and strategies for integrating Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) into the national development process in all sectors of economy.

Innovation, through focused research and development (R&D), is one of the major thrust areas of the Vision 2025 of Government of Pakistan and in consonance to this, the Planning Commission has branded the year 2016 as the year of Quality, Productivity and Innovation. PCST realizes its role in fostering innovation in the country and has recently

taken a milestone initiative, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, to actualize the concept of the National Innovation Award to promote scientific mindset and catalyze a culture of innovation in the country. The organization believes that innovation in clean technology should be a key area because of its potential for spurring economic growth. For achieving this objective; PCST envisages establishing the missing link between knowledge and production platforms through government, private sector and research partnerships. A landmark example of such partnership to bolster innovation culture in the country is the key partnership of UNIDO and PCST for GEF funded Cleantech Programme for SMEs in Pakistan. PCST has been a part of the project since inception phase and extended its full support after the launch of project in September 2013 in the past two cycles of Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), right from participating in promotion campaigns to the identification of the most promising entrepreneurs and to the final judgment.

One of the major components of the GCIP is the ‘Policy Component’ which envisages reviewing and strengthening the policy and regulatory framework for promoting and scaling up of Cleantech competi-

tion, innovations and acceleration activities across Pakistan. PCST being the apex S&T policy making body of the country can play a lead role in this initiative of UNIDO. Sustainability is becoming a prime driver in organizations and projects; hence UNIDO intends to make the Cleantech Innovation Award sustainable by shifting this to one national lead agency that can act as a hub of Cleantech Innovations in Pakistan after the closure of the project. PCST has the largest database of scientists in the country and can play a momentous role in mobilizing huge number of Cleantech applicants, approaching a large number of women scientists, as well.

As Chairman, PCST, I assure full support of my organization for the success and sustainability of the Cleantech Project in future.

Prof. Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan

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focus on

Adopting modern production patterns for clean and green technology innovation

Any type of economic activity, be it industry, agriculture, or more recently, the services sector, consumes natural resources. These resources could be energy, water, mineral or biological. The process of harnessing natural resources to provide useful goods and services for human beings, however, also results in degradation of the environment. Modern production patterns and the corresponding consumption patterns involved in the satisfaction of human needs are leading to high fossil fuel and mineral resources use and excessive water consumption, leading to polluting emissions, volumes of waste generation and degradation of natural systems. It is therefore, the social responsibility of organizations as well as individuals to extend their

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support for saving the environment and for minimizing the wastes of natural resources for achieving the goal of sustainable development.

Pakistan Institute of Management (PIM) is the pioneer in management development and executives training in Pakistan and specializes in the training and development of managers from the public sector, business and industry. PIM has played a significant role in the development of managerial capability and professionalism in Pakistan.

During the last six decades, PIM has conducted over 12,000 training programs and has trained over 185,000 managers from all sectors of the economy.

PIM, being a socially responsive organization always supports the cause of saving the environment.

For example, various training programs at PIM include topics related to sustainable development like Green Productivity, Green Supply Chains, and Green Purchasing.

PIM is also a partner organization in CleanTech Project, and has played its role in spreading the seeds of innovation, encouraging & supporting entrepreneurs, and simultaneously saving the environment. PIM is ready to play any role not only for the success and sustainability of this project, but for any project aiming uplift or development of the people or the environment.

We are happy with the success of the project not only in the country but at all international levels and competitions. The success of CleanTech project in Pakistan is mainly because of the project team, its effective planning and sheer efforts. PIM is ready to give any support and be involved in the continuation of the project for making this globe a better place to live especially for the next generations.

Muhammad Abid Hussain Director, Pakistan Institute of Management

focus on

Combining green initiatives

National Productivity Organization (NPO) Pakistan is a nonprofit company owned by Government of Pakistan under ministry of Industries and Production, functioning as a liaison office of Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Tokyo-Japan.

NPO in collaboration with national and international organizations, like UNIDO and APO Tokyo-Japan, is engaged in initiatives to determine techno-economically feasible measures suitable to enhance productivity, efficient consumption of natural resources and reduction in per unit production cost.

The Green Productivity Center, National Productivity Organization Pakistan is equipped with a team of professionals trained on latest knowledge and measuring tools to disseminate knowledge and prac-

tices on Green Productivity water efficiency, material efficiency and energy savings.

Energy drives the economy, and adds convenience, comfort and enjoyment to our everyday lives.

Globally there is a move from a carbon-centric, unproductive energy system to one that emphasizes on clean energy production from sources like the sun, the current of air, the sea. In coming days, it is projected that the green process may become an integral part of global trade as end users are getting aware of problems effecting climate.

The clean tech program seems to provide a basis for new startups based on sustainable development, and offers a platform for young researchers particularly to participate in international level competitions. It was also observed that participants showed interest in converting their ideas into business models. The performance of the Pakistani team at Silicon Valley was remarkable. It is the depiction of the potential of Pakistani researchers.

The efforts of Mr. Esam Alqararah, Dr. Shahina Waheed, Mr. Hammad Bashir and all the team members are commendable. The outcomes also highlight the capabilities and commitment of the UNIDO Pakistan team.

This initiative is also in compliance

with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure and Pakistan Vision 2025. The vision is focusing on overall resource efficiency and green productivity, to cope not only with economic challenges but also environmental issues of international concerns and socio-development.

Therefore, NPO is partnering in different projects with UNDIO for TRTA, Clean-Tech and Sustainable Energy –RE&EE and is committed to continue its support in finding alternative solutions to current issues such as low level of research, low percentage of new ideas conversion to startup, greenhouse effect, sustainable and clean energy issues.

Mr. Abdul Ghaffar Khattak Chief Executive Officer of National Productivity Organization, Ministry of Industries & Production, Government of Pakistan

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focus on

Fostering entrepreneurship in clean technology innovation

UNIDO and NUST have entered into a partnership to promote clean technology innovation in the country.

It has been estimated that 50 million tons of residue/waste is produced every year from major crops in Pakistan. There is huge potential to produce power from biomass in Pakistan. A way to alleviate the prevalent energy crisis is to expedite use of indigenous fuel sources that are cheap and abundantly available within the country.

Nowadays, the world sees the need for a carbon economy driven by clean alternative energy resources to meet the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. In this regards, ‘biomass to energy’ can play a pivotal role as carbon neutral fuel source for pow-

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er, industrial and rural electrification applications. UNIDO through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded ‘Promoting Sustainable Energy Production and Use from Biomass in Pakistan’ project, has the mandate to introduce modern biomass conversion technologies in Pakistan as a means to supply energy to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and rural communities in Pakistan.

The initiative aims to promote market-based adoption of modern biomass conversion technologies through industrial scale and off-grid demonstration units. It also aims at providing policy level advisory to public sector partners and developing the capacities of relevant stakeholders. The Centre for Energy systems, NUST is assigned to execute a component of the project ‘Capacity Building and Strengthening of Technology Support Systems.’ This project component encompasses activities like training of SMEs for biomass gasification, creating linkages with International institutes, introducing curriculum on BGTs in Pakistan and ensuring coordination among the stakeholders.

There is a need for cooperation between national and international scientists and practitioners in the field of biomass gasification. For this purpose, an international conference and exhibition on Biomass

Gasification will be held in Pakistan. The conference will provide direct interaction of international biomass gasification experts, with scientific and technical personnel in Pakistan. It will bring together the world’s experts in biomass gasification to improve awareness and knowledge of representatives from SMEs, biomass gasification technology providers, financial institutes and educational institutes in Pakistan. Further, U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) at NUST in collaboration with UNIDO is holding an International Conference and Expo on Biomass Gasification Technologies on July 27-28, 2016 at its campus in Islamabad. This would be a unique activity as it would draw upon academicians, researchers, practitioners and business community from throughout the world under one roof.

Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan Professor, U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E)

focus on

Promoting clean technology in Pakistan

The world’s largest clean technology competition is supporting Pakistani entrepreneurs (SMEs and Startups) with the best ideas that deal with today’s imperative energy, environmental and economic challenges through a competition-based approach. The Programme focuses on fostering emerging and commercially viable clean technology startups to fuel green industrial, and providing training mentoring and access to investors to SMEs. Given the significance and contribution of small businesses to the promotion of job creation and overall economic development of Pakistan, UNIDO is implementing a ‘Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMEs and Start-ups’, funded by the Global Environment Facility and supported by its strategic partners, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST), Na-

tional Productivity Organization (NPO), Pakistan Institute of Management (PIM) The Cleantech Open USA, since 2014.

The Programme is currently running in six countries, including Pakistan, and aims at developing a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem. The model follows Cleantech ecosystem approach, which includes close engagement with the private sector, scaling up the momentum for sustainable industrial development and strengthening the policy framework. By working closely with all the stakeholders in the country, this Programme has established an effective awareness campaign and platform to mobilize interest among targeted beneficiaries.

The programme has completed its second cycle in 2015 with great success. It attracted 332 innovations, out of which 55 best SMEs and start-ups were supported. The five national winners of the call were awarded with prizes ranging from US$ 20,000 (National Winner) to US$ 15,000 (3 Prizes), with an additional prize of US$ 15,000 for the most promising woman-led business, in the categories of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency and waste

to energy. The winners further participated in the global competition held in Silicon Valley, USA and won ‘Global Award’ for the category of Waste to Energy. UNIDO celebrated this remarkable success by organizing a remarkable media event titled ‘Celebrating Success’ with Cleantech partners and stakeholders.

For ensuring gender mainstreaming and attracting more women to participate in the competition, a Women Business Growth Centre (WBGC) has been launched, in collaboration with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), to serve as a facilitation unit that would enhance the ability, mobility, visibility and connectivity of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

Through new collaborations across disciplines and sectors, this programme has been able to build the national capacity for clean technologies along with a supportive local entrepreneurial ecosystem for SMEs by developing clean and resource synergistic initiatives and entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

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real lives: stories that inspire us

Zaheen Machines’ energy efficient retrofit future turned on by anyone but the app user.

The GCIP 2015 competition provided a great way to publicize Jal Bujh and acquaint Zaheen Machines with other entrepreneurs in Pakistan and globally. UNIDO’s efforts in organizing such events are greatly appreciated.

Zaheen Machines embodies the spirit of the new generation of South Asian start-ups that embrace indigenous technology to provide sustainable solutions to local problems and aims to be a leader in this bright new world.

Zaheen (Intelligent) Machines Pvt. Ltd. is an Internet of Things (IoT) start-up in Pakistan that produces resource optimization devices for the national market. Its first product is ‘Jal Bujh’, a gas fired tank water heater that has the potential to save Pakistan $50 million per year in natural gas and won the 1st runner prize in the GCIP 2015 competition. The company is currently rolling out its second product, e-Jal Bujh, which allows the user to operate any electrical load according to a time schedule.

Jal Bujh is the brainchild of the illustrious Zia Imran, a keen entrepreneur and educator. The Zaheen Machines saga began in the winter of 2012 when Zia came across an advertisement by the national gas distribution company, SNGPL on natural gas conservation.

He thought this was an unreasonable

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request since it asked people to wake up 30 minutes earlier, go outside in freezing temperatures, turn on the water heater, wait for hot water, shower and then go outside to turn it off again and he wondered why better solutions were not being proposed to the natural gas crisis.

Thus the inception of Jal Bujh arose: a retrofit device that can turn to very hot or pilot your water heater via a time schedule given by a smartphone app.

SNGPL was very impressed with the product and a contract of 4,395 units has been completed for them. The next product rollout is of e-Jal Bujh, a device that almost has universal application in that it can help reduce electricity consumption (turn lights, signs, machines on/off at set times in a day) or by restricting access to certain devices e.g. the air conditioner cannot be

real lives: stories that inspire us

Clean, green, riding machine!

Burn calories, not carbon

Sick of the increasing traffic in your city? Finding it difficult to weave your way through it, especially considering the pollution, noise and exhaust smoke all around? Unsurprisingly, the main contributors to this pollution are the countless rickshaws and petrol-based motorcycles on our roads. This is a new alternative: the Bolt Bike which does not use petrol or produce toxic fumes. Using electronics and pedaling power, the bike offers a unique intra-city commuting solution.

The brainchild of two mechanical engineers based in Lahore, the Bolt bike won the Global Cleantech Innovation Program 2015 (GCIP) in Pakistan. They thanked UNIDO for helping them make their innovative idea into a brilliant and successful

business, for assisting them in promoting their product and reach the masses through different media and communication tools.

People face difficulties associated with current mechanical engine transport which include the running cost, maintenance cost, seasonal shortages, air pollution and noise pollution. The Bolt Bike strives to reduce the consumption of conventional fuels for transport, as well as provide an efficient alternative to power them. The Bike is a hybrid technology bicycle run by battery power and human muscle power.

of their targeted market segments.

The Bolt Bike offers customized versions for women, tourists, security patrollers and employees of large to medium-sized industrial units.

With a running prototype already manufactured, the company is looking for collaborative support from the local and international industry to move forward with massscale production and delivery.

Led by female entrepreneur Asra Naz, the company aims to revolutionize standard commuting by introducing their line of products into the mass market, tailored to fit each

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real lives: stories that inspire us

Bitsym Watersense promotes clean drinking water

Bitsym Watersense has created a system for the real-time detection and reporting of drinking water pollutants.

Team Watercense competed UNIDO Cleantech from the platform of Bitsym Private Limited, an Internet of Things (IoT) solutions company. Watercense solution ensures water is safe for human consumption. It sits on water tanks and periodically releases disinfectants so that water is free of any impurity hazardous for human health. It is simple to use and intelligently eliminates diarrhoea-causing bacteria, which allows water to be safe to drink.

Dr. Saad Bin Qaisar is a Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and holds specializations in Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Data Aggregation and Analytics. Leading a very success-

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ful tenure with the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Islamabad where he has been twice named best researcher, he launched the IoT venture Bitsym in 2015 focusing on Ag-tech, Health and Wellness, Supply Chain and Industry verticals.

Joined by fellow colleagues Dr. Hammad Cheema and Dr. Shahzad Younis, Bitsym made its mark being named national runner up in the UNIDO Cleantech Competition in the ‘Water Efficiency’ category with the product ‘Watercense’. Over 400 companies competed for the prestigious Cleantech awards with only four being declared the winners.

UNIDO Cleantech is an excellent program to identify clean technologies and groom talent towards inclusive and

sustainable industrial development.

From the development of the application for the competition to the selection in the program and the mentoring sessions to be among the top four national winners, team Bitsym considers the competition to be an excellent way to gain exposure and the skills to successfully take ideas to the market.

The team commented: ‘Our journey with team UNIDO has been fabulous.

We, as a team, have learnt a lot on how to identify our target markets, define the right mix of product features set in close coordination with the customers and launch the product in the target market. The connections we made during the program and the quality of training has been incomparable.’

real lives: stories that inspire us

Tawanai Solutions: dreaming of a better earth On the surface, Tawanai Solutions is a technology start-up trying to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of energy in an environmental-friendly manner, but it is actually a group of dreamers trying to contribute towards a better earth.

After I finished studying mechanical engineering, I worked in different areas but working on renewable energy was always an unquenched thirst. I met some other individuals who had the same feeling and in 2013, we decided to formally work together and formed Tawanai Solutions. It was initially launched as a subsidiary of Incito-Scientia-Meditatus (ISM) but soon became an independent start-up.

The team started off with just myself and Numan Sheikh and together we worked on Solar Thermal solutions and biomass gasification.

Our first product was a crop waste gasifier that is mounted on a tractor which reduces the tractor operating cost on average by 50% with much lesser emissions than conventional diesel. It was envisioned in 2012 when I was working in Textile processing and was informed that there was an acute shortage of Natural Gas in Pakistan.

I ended up drawing a basic gasifier schematic on the floor and asked idle workers to make it using old drums.

We were able to run the factory on producer gas for the next few months but eventually, it was not economically feasible due to the transportation costs

of wheat straw, the fuel source. Thus, when Tawanai was formed, we decided to take the gasifier to the source of fuel which not only eliminates the transportation cost but also addresses a big pain point of the farmer.

In 2015 UNIDO provided us with the opportunity to participate in GCIP (Global Cleantech Innovation Program). We participated and won our category of ‘Waste to Energy’ globally.

It was a great learning and enlightening experience and helped us not only

improve our product but also our business model. It exposed us to the Gurus of Cleantech startups - Paul deGive, Rex Northern and Kevin Braithwaite.

The training was insightful and the direction and knowledge of our Mentor, Paul deGive changed the way we were looking at our business.

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real lives: stories that inspire us

A football victory for girls’ rights in Karachi

On 25 February, UN Women Pakistan teamed up with The Diya Women’s Football Club (DWFC) to organize a football match for 35 schoolgirls from less-privileged areas of Karachi. At the sports ground of St. Patrick’s High School, team ‘Orange’’ and team ‘Colours’ played against each other, wearing orange T-shirts to create awareness of the UN’s UNiTE campaign to end violence against women and girls. The players were students from St. Patrick’s High School, Learning Tree School, Aga Khan School (Kharadar), Karachi Women’s College and Asif Government School.

In Pakistan, it is a major challenge for

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22

girls and women to find safe public spaces where they can exercise free from harassment and interruption.

The UN Women’s Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces programme aims to ensure that they are free from sexual harassment and violence when venturing outside their homes.

Sadia Sheikh, the DWFC coach said all of the girls travel in groups in order to keep safe and that it is a requirement of most of the parents.

Ms. Sheikh has visited almost all the girls’ houses in the slum areas of Karachi to persuade the parents to let them participate in her football club.

In addition to teaching football, she encourages them to study in school

and to reach for their dreams.

Before kick-off, Rukhsar, 24, a sports teacher at Learning Tree School, told the girls that she really struggled to get permission to play and had to balance her studies and career with her football practice. Consequently, she is now a sports teacher, the captain of the DWFC team and part of the female national football team.

Shumeila, an 11-year-old from the Metroville site area, has played football for 4-5 years, and is dreaming of becoming a professional player. She says that her father was initially reluctant for her to play football but after seeing her talent, he is very supportive.

Also in attendance was Zeba Bakhtiar, a well-known actress in Pakistan and Chairperson of DWFC. She gave the girls words of encouragement and applauded their hard work in a male-dominated sport. She believes that depriving young girls the opportunity to develop their talents is a form of violence against women.

Thus, she supports such events so that they may create safe spaces for women to practice the sport they love.

The principal of St. Patrick’s High School, Brother Lawrence, let the girls use the school’s sports ground free of charge in order to show support for the UNiTE campaign.

real lives: stories that inspire us

Poor hygiene is costly!

“If it was not for the Urban WASH team, I would have never realized what I was doing wrong. I am grateful to them and hope they continue to help others who face sanitation issues.”

Qurban, Brohi Muhalla, Jacobabad

Molvi Marri Mosque Mohalla’s residents were distressed by the water-borne diseases that had hampered their daily routines but did not know of any solution. Gul Khatoon, an active female from the community, was upset due to her husband’s nominal income of PKR 200 being spent on medical bills only. Thus, she decided to join the Mohalla WASH committee and her life took a positive turn. The community was taught basic hygiene standards, methods of making water safe for drinking, proper drainage and garbage disposal ways, and usage of latrines. Today, the Mohalla is cleaner, the people have become healthier, the quality of life has improved dramatical-

ly and the people, including Gul Khatoon, no longer have to spend their entire income on medicines.

Qurban, a young member of the Brohi Mohalla of district Jacobabad, was in a similar situation to Gul Khatoon.

Hepatitis had become a family problem for him and he was devastated by the misery this disease had inflicted upon him. He lost his father, and then his mother was diagnosed with it too. He was unaware of health and hygiene standards until the UN-Habitat Urban WASH team, upon inspection, discovered that the entire family disposed of Buffalo dung without using gloves, and stored it inside the house until thrown out. Qurban was

informed of the negative repercussions of this habit and was taught how to properly dispose of the faeces at a place outside the Mohalla. His entire family’s health levels have now improved and his medical expenditure has reduced. He thanks the UN-Habitat Urban WASH team without whom he would not have realized his mistake in waste disposal and hopes that the team continues to help others who face sanitation issues.

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real lives: stories that inspire us

Communities work together to fight with sewerage problems

Karimabad Muhalla, like every other area of Jacobabad, has inadequate drainage and sewerage mechanisms which lead to not only serious health issues, but difficulties for commuters as well. Nadeem Ahmed Behrani, a 32 year old Secretary of the City Forum and active General Secretary of the Muhalla WASH committee for the UN-Habitat Urban WASH project, participated in capacity building training and gained considerable insight of WASH services.

Nadeem recognized that Abdul Kareem Thaheem Road in Karimabad was one of the most commonly used routes but

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was disrupted by overflowing drains due to the improper drainage system and solid waste dump on the road which caused difficulty for pedestrians.

He gathered his community members and motivated them to donate a nominal sum of money towards repairing the drainage system. Nadeem said: ‘If all community members donate a small amount towards improving the drainage condition of the disrupted road, I can work with the sanitary workers to fix Abdul Kareem Thaheem Road. If we all work in unison, there is no task that we cannot achieve; we just need the right motivation.’

All the Muhalla WASH Committee members donated some amount resulting in sufficient funds for Nadeem and his sanitation workers’ team to repair the drainage system of the Road.

Now the community members can travel easily as it is free of filthy drainage water that had previously rendered the road useless. The residents of the Karimabad Muhalla are very happy with the catalysing role of the UN-Habitat Urban WASH Project team in uniting all community members and in particular, with Nadeem for his contribution towards the betterment of his Muhalla.

real lives: stories that inspire us

Women working for polio eradication in Pakistan

Women are at the centre of the polio eradication effort in Pakistan. In their capacity as vaccinators, lady health workers, social mobilizers, union council polio workers, area coordinators and polio eradication officers, thousands of women work with communities every day to deliver vital immunizations against polio and other vaccine preventable diseases.

Noorjahan was a school teacher before she joined the polio programme, a move she made to make sure her children would grow up in a polio-free Pakistan. She was recommended for the role of the Union Council Polio worker in 2013 for Cantonment 9, an area of Rawalpindhi that stretches 41 square kilometres and has a diverse population of nomadic Pashtun and Afghani refugees.

Noorjahan says she was given a seemingly insurmountable task. She credits her husband, Mr Asmatullah, for his assistance, enabling her to work with teams to reach the 22 865 children under the age of 5. Mr Asmatullah volunteered for 18 months, working with his wife on a range of tasks including routine immunization outreach to communities that missed regular vaccination due to constant

moving and searching for zero dose and missed children to ensure they received 2 drops of OPV. Male vaccinators cannot enter homes to deliver vaccines in many areas of Pakistan and Noorjahan says that women don’t face similar cultural barriers. She also mentioned that speaking the same language (Pashto) and sharing the same values and beliefs with her community has allowed her greater access to children who would otherwise miss out on vaccination.

She states that although the work is long and at times difficult, it is very rewarding. There are still some families in her area who need convincing because they are fatigued from the numerous campaigns but she is determined to not miss even a single child.

The recruitment of large numbers of female social mobilizers and vaccinators has proven to be one of the most innovative solutions to the challenges in reaching every child in Pakistan.

There are more than 177 000 vaccinators across the country and 58% are females. Additionally, thousands more women provide support as social mobilizers.

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news and events

agriculture and food security

A step towards self sufficiency

Repeated conflict has taken a toll on Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency which was once known for being a hub of agricultural activities. Families fled their homes to safer areas and abandoned the lands they used for cultivation.

Khadi Khan, like many others had to leave his land and home taking refuge in an area away from the hazards of conflict. He used to cultivate on the 6 acres of land that he owned. When he and others like him returned, they not only had to start afresh with lives but also, with little to no resources. The land that he left behind was no longer cultivable and appeared barren. Khadi had no idea how he would be able to fend for his family of 18 members.

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However, there is an opportunity in every challenge. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is playing a vital role in rehabilitating the lives of people through its Early Recovery Program, enabling an early and effective resumption of agriculture production. FAO has provided agricultural inputs to farmers such as fertilizers and helped them in land reclamation, irrigation schemes and the establishment of Farmer Field Schools.

Khadi Khan, after becoming a beneficiary of FAO’s Early Recovery Program, has a different story to tell. He is happy to receive free-ofcost agricultural inputs, oat packages, wheat, vegetable seeds and to learn about best practices at the

Farmer Fields School. He has sown the oat seeds and is able to grow fodder for his cows which has increased milk production.

Thousands of Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) are benefitting from FAO’s Early Recovery Program.

As for Khadi Khan, the results are quantifiable as he smiles and talks about the 5 litres of milk a day he is getting from his cows. He feels he is self-sufficient and is ready to look after his family the way he used to.

There is hope again.

news and events

agriculture and food safey

From sheep to shawl: wool value chain development in Balochistan UNFAO , in collaboration with the Federal and Balochistan Governments, is preparing for an Integrated Wool Sector Development Program. The roundtable consultation was held in Islamabad on 27 April to seek suggestions and recommendations about the best way forward in developing the wool sector in Balochistan. It was attended by representatives of the Provincial and Federal governments, aid agencies and the private sector. Dr. Hashim Khan Populzai, Additional Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research opened the conference and highlighted the importance of wool in developing the rural economy of Balochistan.

Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative to Pakistan informed the participants that wool has a high potential for development in Balochistan and that this important resource can be used to improve livelihoods of rural farmers, including women. He invited the participants to make practical recommendations for the development of the wool value chain in Balochistan.

Mr. Siddique Mandokhel, Secretary Livestock, Balochistan highlighted some of the problems faced by the livestock sector in Balochistan especially in marketing and getting fair prices of their produce. Experts made presentations giving insights on animal husbandry, added value activities, gender perspective and mechanical shearing.

A well functioning wool value chain in Balochistan will create employment for herders, shearers, wool washers, sorters, graders, balers, spinners, dyers, traders and transporters. Much of this work can be done by women.

The proposed program (From Sheep to Shawl) will cover all aspects of the wool value chain from improved and sustainable rangeland management to vaccination, better feeding of sheep, delivery of shearing services and added value activities such as carpet making.

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news and events

agriculture and food security

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donates dates for relief assistance The World Food Programme (WFP) has received a contribution of 396 metric tons of Dates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The dates will be distributed as part of WFP’s relief assistance programme to approximately 148,000 registered families between April and June 2016.

The Ambassador of KSA stated: ‘I

nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and their consumption contributes towards ensuring diet diversity and helps reduce micronutrient deficiencies,’ said Lola Castro of WFP. ‘WFP welcomes this donation and we are looking forward to furthering the partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre in a joint effort with the Government of Pakistan to improve food securi-

will avail this opportunity to cherish the time-tested history of close fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The two nations have observed exemplary relations at political, religious, cultural and economic fronts. The wellbeing of the people of Pakistan carries very special importance for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.’

‘Dates provide a range of essential

ty and nutrition in the country,’ she added.

Between 2016 and 2018, WFP, in close partnership with the Government, is aiming to assist 7.7 million people. The organization seeks to ensure the improvement of food security and nutrition among displaced and returnee populations, reinforce the resilience of communities living in the most hazard-prone

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areas, address malnutrition among the most vulnerable segments of the society, particularly pregnant and nursing women and children under the age of five, as well as support a favourable environment for women to achieve social and economic equality.

news and events

agriculture and food safey

Pakistan supports food security of displaced and returnee families The Government of Pakistan has confirmed yet another in-kind wheat contribution of 124,000 metric tons to the World Food Programme (WFP) to improve the food security of displaced and returnee families through relief and livelihoods interventions in the country’s north-

west. Having previously made available 519,000 mertic tonnes worth PKR 20 billion in in-kind wheat (10.4 million 50 kg bags) to WFP between 2013 and 2015, the Government of Pakistan ranks first as host government donor to WFP and the second largest donor to WFP in the country, after the US. The in-kind support by the Government of Pakistan in 2016 is further enhanced by international donors,

USAID, the Government of Germany and the Government of Japan.

Their contributions are partially covering the associated costs of milling, fortification, transportation, distribution and monitoring.

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news and events

agriculture and food security

Damaging effects of climate change

In 2015, 196 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the Paris Agreement at the conclusion of UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in France. It is the first-ever universal, legally binding climate deal that promises a global action plan to save the world from the effects of climate change by limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. Developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change because of their dependence on agriculture and socioeconomic dynamics. In 2008, more than 100 million people fell below the poverty line largely due to food price hikes and low agriculture yields. Pakistan is the eighth most vulnerable country to climate change though it produces less than 0.5pc of global emissions.

To combat climate change, the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP)

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of 2012 outlines mitigation and adaptation actions. Pakistan is one of the few countries to have undertaken a Climate Public Expen¬diture and Institutional Review (CPEIR) and has established public expenditure and institutional benchmarks. Post 18th Amendment, climate change has largely become a provincial subject and provinces must now take the lead. It is encouraging to note that some of the provinces have already started initiatives such as the ‘Billion Tree Plantation’ initiative.

However, the deficit of vision and action remains widespread. The INDCs put forward by Pakistan for the COP21 were considered limited and devoid of quantitative commitments and investment requirements for adaptation and mitigation. Pakistan could have spelled out in detail its vulnerability to

climate change which would have afforded an opportunity to plead climate change-related needs in front of lobbyists, donors and negotiators across the globe. Given the global shortfall in financing, Pakistan requires an overarching climate change financing framework which can help streamline budget allocations and ensure holistic response to the challenge.

So far the evidence affirms that no one will remain untouched by the consequences of climate change and developing countries will be the most affected. It is time to act together. As the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, ‘there is no plan B, because there is no planet B’.

Marc-André Franche, Country Director, UNDP Pakistan

news and events

agriculture and food safey

Relief and livelihood interventions in Pakistan’s north-west United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) has confirmed a contribution of GBP 1 million to WFP for twining the in-kind wheat donations provided by the Government of Pakistan.

WFP is complementing the Government of Pakistan’s reconstruction efforts in the country’s north-western areas by providing relief and recovery support to displaced populations and six-month food packages to recent returnees during the critical period of resettlement in their areas of origin.

In 2015, the Government of Pakistan donated 219,000 metric tons of wheat with an estimated value of USD 85 million to WFP, for support-

ing IDP and returnee populations in KP and FATA through relief and livelihood interventions. The Government of Pakistan’s in-kind donation in 2015 has been the largest in-kind contribution in a single year, making it the largest host government donor to WFP operations globally. In 2016, the Government of Pakistan has confirmed a further in-kind wheat contribution of 124,000 metric tons with an estimated value of USD 49 million to WFP operations in the country.

DFID’s contribution will enable WFP to meet the associated costs including transformation, fortification, bagging, transportation, handling and distribution of wheat to the beneficiaries, donated by the Government of Pakistan, also referred to as ‘twinning’. The concept of twinning is known for creating a

‘win-win’ partnership mechanism between the Government of Pakistan, WFP and the international donor community.

WFP’s relief food assistance interventions have been designed with the objective of saving lives and averting hunger through the conduct of unconditional relief food distributions to the affected families. With the support of the Government of Pakistan’s in-kind wheat donations coupled with contributions received from international donors such as DFID, WFP’s assistance serves as a foundation upon which people can begin rebuilding their livelihoods and communities.

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news and events

cultural heritage

Reactive monitoring mission to World Heritage Site, Makli Necropolis

A unique ensemble of monumental tombs and mausoleums, the historical monuments of Thatta Makli were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1981. The site is located in Sindh, Pakistan. This necropolis is one of the largest burial quarters in the world with graves, tombs, canopies and mausoleums of saints, poets, noblemen, governors, princes, kings and queens. Dating back to 14th century, the monuments and mausoleums in Makli were built from high quality stone, brick, and glazed tiles representing the civilization of Thatta of that time.

Keeping in view the importance and the universal value of the site, the World Heritage Committee in collaboration with UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and ICOMOS, sent a Reactive Monitoring Mission

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to Makli to observe and assess the state of conservation and other issues at the site. The mission was led by Ms. Junhi Han, Programme Specialist, World Heritage Committee and comprised of Dr. Jonathan S. Bell, representing ICOMOS and Mr. Kazi Ayaz Mahessar, Provincial Coordinator, Sindh, UNESCO, Islamabad. The mission held important meetings with the Secretary Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Department, Director Archaeology, representatives of the Endowment Fund and the Heritage Foundation.

The Culture Department updated the mission on its conservation work at the site and its detailed plan of conserving 12 monuments of the site during the fiscal year 2016-17. The mission also paid a field visit to the World Heritage Site

on 20th April and held important discussions with the conservators and curators of the site. The mission was warmly welcomed by the Government of Sindh and was met

by Ms. Sharmila Farooqui, Special Advisor to the Chief Minister for Culture and Tourism. The mission will report to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of this important WH site in Sindh, Pakistan and would, in the meantime, advise the Government of Sindh on its recommendations and technical guidance for its preservation and protection.

news and events

disaster risk management

Better disaster risk reduction plans and initiatives in KPK UN-Habitat, in close collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in partnership with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (APDC) and Community Resilience Initiative (CRI), held a one-day workshop that shared the findings of the Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MHRVA) done in Chitral and DI Khan.

The MHRVAs were carried out with the involvement of the government, academic, and science-based institutions. There was significant community engagement during the project implementation that allowed grassroots expertise to be utilized. Dissemination of information and transfer of knowledge to relevant National, Provincial, and District officials was undertaken.

Ms. Bella Evidente, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Pakistan, said that, ‘UN-Habitat is pleased to extend our technical advisory support to the provincial Government through PDMA to strengthen the policy and planning process at provincial and district levels. The findings of this MHVRA study can be utilized for master planning and improvement of socio-economic conditions of the area’. Mr. Wajid Ali Khan, Assistant Director DRM, PDMA said that he appreciated the efforts of everyone in-

volved because undertaking the study in the two districts is very difficult as they are the farthest and have different hazards which are neglected. Mr. Ehtisham Khalid Khan, Project Director and MHVRA Focal Point stated that: ‘I commend the vision of KPK, UN-Habitat, ADPC and CRI for their efforts, and I hope that it is a continued support programme as the final product should be a part of planning and initiatives and should not end here with this project.’

Ms. Sumera Izhar from UN-Habitat, and Dr. Marqueza Reyes, Dr. Hari Prasad, and Dr. Irfan Maqbool from ADPC gave valuable information regarding the project’s technical findings and results. Dr. Amir Khan from CRI gave recommendations and suggested ways forward to scale-up the benefits at the National and Provincial level. Notables from other districts and communities from divisional

headquarters (Abbotabad, Mardan, Swat, D.I. Khan) not only actively participated in the discussions and commended the innovative approach of the partners towards disaster preparedness, but also provided valuable contributions and suggestions from their experience.

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news and events

disaster risk management

Pakistan benefits from expertise in risk reduction and rehabilitation UN-Habitat has extensive experience and technical expertise in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and the management of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Immediately following the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, UN-Habitat undertook post-disaster reconstruction work to support over 3.5 million people who had to be moved from the affected areas to safer, improved homes.

UN Habitat, with the assistance of the Government of Japan, also provided integrated Shelter and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to the Temporary Dislocated People (TDPs) in Bannu, Laki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following military operations against militants in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

With local partners including National, Provincial, and Frontier Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA, PDMA and FDMA) as well as local authorities, UN-Habitat successfully provided shelter to 1,800 TDP families and better access to safe water and improved sanitation facilities for 3,846 families.Mr Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan lauded this project and the Government

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of Japan for addressing the needs of both host communities and TDPs. Mr. Junya Matsuura, ChargÊ d’affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan commended the project since there is normally an issue of accessibility of the project areas due to security reasons and said that he hoped that the partnership between Japan, Pakistan, and the UN agencies will be strengthened through Japan’s contribution to peace and prosperity in Pakistan.

Developing effective Disaster Risk Reduction is critical in ensuring disaster-preparedness. A UN-Habitat initiative carried out Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessments in districts Chitral and D.I. Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Community engagement and participation was significant, facilitating transfer of

skills to community members.

Mr. Amer Afaq, Director General for the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority said that having proper and updated information regarding the vulnerability of an area to natural and man-made disasters is very important.

The strategic alliances developed

by UN-Habitat with the Government of Pakistan and other humanitarian partners at different levels since 2005 have made it the focal agency in implementation of initiatives to help the country meet Sustainable Development Goal 11, targeted at making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

news and events

disaster risk management

International cooperation on management of transboundary floods UNESCO, together with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and with financial assistance from the Government of Japan is working to improve and strengthen the flood early warning system. To this end, UNESCO and PMD organized a two-day international workshop in Lahore which is part of UNESCO’s ‘Strategic Strengthening of Flood Early Warning and Management Capacity of Pakistan’ Project, Phase II. The first phase was launched in July 2011 and completed in 2014 in response to the 2010 devastating floods.

The Chief Guest, Mr Abid Sher Ali, Minister of State for Water and Power commended the efforts of UNESCO, PMD and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He highlighted the need to reduce damages from intense rains and flashfloods, which will happen more frequently due to climate change. Dr. Ghulam Rasool, Director General PMD said that the project has enhanced the technical capacity of PMD, which enabled engineers to develop state-of-the-art Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in Pakistan.

Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO Representative to Pakistan stressed the important of co-operation on water issues in South Asia in the context of

global climate change and mentioned that UNESCO is supporting international cooperation on flood management with neighboring countries.

Mr. Teppei Nakagawa, First Secretary, the Embassy of Japan said that Japan is a disaster prone country like Pakistan and thus, the Japanese can assist in disaster risk reduction using their experience.

Mr. Hiromu INOUE, Representative of JICA said that he is pleased that Japanese technologies are benefiting Pakistani people. He mentioned that the project also involves JICA working closely with UNESCO, Pakistan and Afghanistan, to train Afghan engineers in Pakistan.

The workshop was attended by representatives from national and inter-

national partner organizations such as the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), Federal Flood Commission (FFD), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), universities, provincial irrigation departments and international experts from Australia, France, Indonesia, Korea and Japan and their expertise will further enhance river modelling and flood forecasting models for Indus and the Eastern Rivers.

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news and events

drugs and crime

Addressing the challenges of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Pakistan The UNODC Country Office in Pakistan has signed onto a one-year project with the Australian Government aimed at strengthening responses to human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Pakistan. The project will be implemented under the UNODC Country Programme for Pakistan (20162019) with the Australian Government providing financial support of approximately USD550,000.

Mr. Cesar Guedes, UNODC Country Office Representative in Pakistan, highlighted the importance of building the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan to detect and disrupt trafficking and smuggling networks that are financially benefitting criminal syndicates and causing untold suffering. This project would enable the UNODC to further raise awareness amongst vulnerable populations and protect individuals, especially women and children, from becoming victims.

The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Margaret Adamson, said that the Australian Government was pleased to work with the Government of Pakistan, through the UNODC, in strengthening border controls and combatting transnational crimes including people

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smuggling and human trafficking.

Ms Adamson stressed that these are issues of global concern and require a strong, coordinated response. This project demonstrates the commitment of all three partners to addressing the scourge of transnational crime.

Mr Guedes added that the involvement in the project of senior law enforcement officers from the Federal Investigation Agency signals the Government of Pakistan’s strong commitment to overcoming the challenges posed by irregular migration.

The UNODC Office in Pakistan will implement the project in collaboration with the Federal Investigation

Agency over the next 12 months.

news and events

drugs and crime

Pakistan at the Special Session on the World Drug Problem Pakistan is a main transit country and is confronted with various challenges associated with the World Drug Problem, notably the issue of illicit drug trafficking. Thus, Pakistan is an important stakeholder in the policy discourse and concerted efforts at the sub-regional, regional and global levels to counter the scourge of illicit drug.

ment and criminal justice interventions to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and contributes to international policy-making and norms-setting on different aspects of the World Drug Problem.

Since November 2013, H.E. Ambassador Ayesha Riyaz leads the Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna. Ambassador Riyaz is currently Chair of the Asia Group in Vienna and also represents the interests of the Group in UNODC matters. The Mission seeks to foster close international collaboration on a diverse array of cross-cutting issues such as counter narcotics, crime prevention and criminal justice, transnational organized crime and anti-corruption, among others.

At the recent 59th regular session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the Permanent Mission played an active and constructive role in the preparations for the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem. The Mission represented Pakistan at the inter-governmental negotiations on the outcome document for UNGASS, guided by Pakistan’s national priorities and interests vis-a-vis the Special Session including the goal of achieving a ‘society free of drug abuse’.

Traditionally, the Permanent Mission has maintained a prominent profile at the Commission. As part of its portfolio, the Mission effectively articulates Pakistan’s perspective on different aspects of drug-related issues ranging from law enforce-

In 2014, Pakistan actively participated in the mid-term review of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an integrated ‘2009 Political Declaration’ and the ‘Plan of Action’ on the World Drug Problem.

The recently concluded UNODC Country Programme (2016-2019) will bring these activities under sharper focus.

The UNODC Country Office in Islamabad is carrying out various capacity-building initiatives in the country aimed at; inter alia, strengthening law enforcement, promoting prevention and treatment of drug use.

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news and events

drugs and crime

United Nations Special Session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem in 2016 (UNGASS) In order to address the World Drug problem and find mutually agreeable solutions, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) was convened at the UN Headquarters in New York City from 19 to 21 April 2016. The previous UNGASS on the World Drug problem was held in 1998, in which the Member States agreed on a ‘Political Declaration on Global Drug Control’. In March 2009, Member States evaluated the progress made since 1998 and agreed on a new ‘Political Declaration and Plan of Action’ on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem.

The UNODC conducted a high-level review of the progress made in the implementation of the 2009 Plan of Action, the results of which were included in the Joint Ministerial Statement. It was during this session that the Member States identified achievements, challenges and priorities in order to further achieve the objectives by 2019.

The UNODC Country Office Pakistan (COPAK), based in Islamabad, facilitated the Government of Pakistan’s high-level participation at this landmark event in New York City. The office has been working in

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Pakistan for over 35 years.

During his statement at the UNGASS opening session on 19 April 2016, His Excellency Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Government of Pakistan, expressed Pakistan’s resolve and strong operational ability to combat drug trafficking, highlighting that 342 tonnes of illegal narcotics were seized by the country during 2015.

He said that Pakistan has devised a comprehensive policy and administrative structure to overcome the menace of illicit drugs.

This strategic event of UNGASS in New York City was an important milestone, which led to the adoption of the outcome document: ‘Our Joint Commitment to Effectively Addressing and Countering the World Drug Problem’, the goals of which need to be achieved by 2019. It served as a ground-breaking opportunity that changed the course of the international drug control system, providing an opportunity for the Member States to reaffirm their commitment to a drug free society as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

news and events

drugs and crime

Capacity building for effective law enforcement A special event titled ‘Capacity-Building for Effective Law Enforcement’ was jointly hosted by the Government of Pakistan and UNODC, on the margins of the 59 the Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Several country delegates and representatives of international organizations attended the event.

In his opening statement, Mr. Yury Fedotov, Under Secretary General and Executive Director UNODC, thanked the Government of Pakistan for closely collaborating with UNODC on all matters of mutual interest. He emphasized the importance of building effective international and regional cooperation, with a focus on integrated, multidisciplinary, mutually reinforcing, and balanced approaches aimed at reducing both the supply and demand of drugs emanating from the region.

In his keynote address, Mr. Ajaz Ali Khan, Secretary Narcotics Control Division, Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, thanked the participants and UNODC, and stated that ‘Today’s event is an important opportunity for the international community to learn more about the challenges the ANF and the Narcotics Control Division face, as

well as the advances Pakistan has made in increasing drug seizures and strengthening precursor control and international cooperation. ‘ Brigadier Basharat Tahir Malik, Deputy Director General Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) made a comprehensive presentation covering the Government of Pakistan’s narcotics control strategy, focusing on ANF’s operational achievements and its strong commitment to maintaining a close relationship with international partners including UNODC. Concluding the event, Mr. Cesar Guedes, Representative UNODC Country Office Pakistan, reaffirmed UNODC Pakistan’s own commitment to the maintenance of close partnership with the Government of Pakistan and recalled the human toll of Pakistan’s strong resolve against drug trafficking and transnational organised crime, and the sacrifices

in the line of duty of those law enforcement officials who were killed or wounded during various operations against armed traffickers.

The ANF seized 360 tons of narcotics during 2015, a record achievement since the organization’s inception. The recovered drugs and precursors were worth approximately USD 2.5 billion in the international market. The attendees of the event commended the joint efforts of UNODC and ANF in combating this scourge affecting the region as well as the world at large.

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news and events

drugs and crime

Fighting against human trafficking in the Gujranwala region The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Pakistan (UNODC) are organizing a series of sessions for police and civil society representatives across Pakistan. These sessions are intended to raise awareness regarding the undesirable impacts of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Mr Sajid Akram, Deputy Director FIA Punjab Zone, stated that the Gujranwala region has become the hub of human trafficking across Punjab, with 36 of the most wanted human traffickers named in the FIA Red Book belonging to the region. The early arrest of these fugitive human traffickers has become a major challenge for the Agency.

These traffickers have spread their organized criminal networks across Gujranwala, Gujarat, and Mundi Bahauddin districts. Through this infrastructure, they send innocent people abroad illegally by extorting large amounts of money from them, said Mr Masood Naseem, Deputy Director (Law) FIA Punjab, during his presentation on human trafficking and its legal aspects.

Mian Muhammad Sabir, Assistant Director FIA Gujranwala, highlighted the importance of the Police in

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both the prevention and control of human trafficking since taking internal human traffickers into custody, and registering cases against them under the Pakistan Penal Code is the responsibility of the Police.

In his presentation, Major Amir described UNODC’s role and appreciated FIA’s seeking active cooperation of Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies in ensuring the early arrest abroad of fugitive human traffickers/proclaimed offenders (POs).

FIA has a continuous and long-term affiliation with the UNODC Country Office in Pakistan, including the Research and Analysis Centre (RAC), a joint venture of UNODC and FIA, wherein research is being undertaken to identify gaps and provide tenable solutions.

In the community awareness session, a large number of represent-

atives from civil society and NGOs, opinion makers, judges, legal experts, and journalists attended and actively participated. They put forward many suggestions towards the improvement of FIA’s activities against human traffickers.

The event in Gujranwala proved another useful and productive step in the series of sessions being organized throughout the country to sensitize the police on HTMS and internal trafficking, and bring awareness thereon to civil society.

news and events

drugs and crime

Strengthening border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime The UNODC Country Office in Pakistan and the Embassy of Japan have signed onto a project aimed at strengthening border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime. The event, held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, was attended by high officials from the Ministry of Interior and Narcotrics Control and the Economic Affairs Division. The envisaged project is to be implemented under the UNODC Country Programme for Pakistan (2016-2019) and the generous contribution of the Japanese government for the duration of the project will amount to about 6.5 million USD. During his opening remarks, Mr. Cesar Guedes, the UNODC Country Office Representative, stated that the project would contribute to the vision of creating ‘a safer community, free from the threats posed by illicit narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime’. He mentioned that it aims to strengthen the capacity of the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and other law enforcement agencies to halt the flow of drugs entering or leaving the country through the ‘provision of essential operational equipment, positioning the ANF more strategically, imple-

mentation of specialist training programmes and other capacity building measures.’

Mr. Muhammad Hafeez, Joint Secretary of the Narcotics Control Division (Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control), thanked the UNODC for its broad-based capacity-building initiatives in Pakistan. He mentioned that counter-narcotics and law enforcement officials will greatly benefit from the project and the Government of Pakistan (GoP) will have another platform to draw the attention of the international community on the many existing and emerging challenges posed by drugs in the country and the region.

His Excellency, Mr. Junya Matsuura, Charge d’Affaires and Interim Minister of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to helping Pakistan eradicate all types of transnational

organised crime. He noted Japan supports border security projects between Pakistan and Afghanistan since stability of the overall region is essential to the national stability of Pakistan. He added that Japan is also funding other UN agencies assisting FATA returnees and with the rehabilitation of FATA, complimenting the efforts of the GoP to bring peace and stability to the border region.

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news and events

drugs and crime

Unplugged Programme The Unplugged Programme is an initiative of the EU-DAP (European Union, Drug Abuse Prevention), which educates teenagers on the dangers of substance abuse and promotes positive and healthy behavior in general. The programme was developed, piloted and evaluated in the EU and is based on a social influences approach, which aims to relate to its audience in a meaningful way. The programme has achieved successful results in delaying the onset of drug use and reducing overall usage.

As a result of the programme’s success, the UNODC has adapted its material in accordance with Pakistani culture. The programme consists of a training handbook for educators containing effective teaching skills on drug use prevention and healthy behaviour and it provides helpful insights on how to constructively engage with students on the issue.

A workbook for students is also provided containing educational material regarding illicit drugs (including case studies and personal stories), and scientific information on drug use and its harmful effects on the human body. As this programme has already been suc-

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cessfully tested and evaluated in the EU, it will be an invaluable addition to drug awareness efforts in Pakistan. Its young audience will undoubtedly find the material informative, and it will empower them to make informed decisions.

The Unplugged Programme has already been implemented in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in consultation with provincial educational departments. Eight schools across two districts (two schools from each district) are presently engaged, and the results have been impressive.

The sixteen teachers instructing the participants were themselves trained during a five-day long seminar conducted by an international Unplugged Programme trainer.

In total, 699 secondary students, from grades 8-10, have completed their primary drug abuse prevention

training through the programme.

The process and effectiveness of the programme were assessed through pre and post intervention evaluations.

news and events

drugs and crime

The Families and Schools Together (FAST) Programme The Families and Schools Together (FAST) Programme is an after-school, multi-family group programme offered for eight weeks to children, ages 6 and 7 along with their families. It is an early intervention programme which brings together parents, children, teachers and the wider community in order to strengthen family units, promote bonding between parents and children, equip children to succeed at school, and reduce drug abuse, family stress and social isolation. The FAST training manual is locally adapted and has been translated into the Urdu language.

Through advocacy and consultation with the provincial education ministries of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three schools were identified for the FAST programme intervention. In total, fifty-five teachers, parents and community representatives participated in a five-day training course in Islamabad, which was conducted by the internationally certified trainers of the FAST Programme. The fifty-five trainees went on to conduct FAST Programme sessions with approximately eighty families per school for a period of eight weeks, or roughly 25-30 families per week.

The programme sessions take place after-hours in the schools and include

various family activities followed by a shared meal. The trained personnel work with the families in the hopes of increasing the children’s respect for their parents, to strengthen familial bonds between parents and children, reduce inter-family conflict, build friendship networks between parents to link children with peers from similar age groups at their school, and increase the involvement of parents in school and community activities.

These activities have the benefit of improving social environments, strengthening the resilience of children and reducing their temptation to use drugs. As a certificate of accomplishment, all families who complete the FAST Programme’s eight week sessions shall be awarded programme certificates.

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news and events

drugs and crime

Launch ceremony of drug awareness campaign The drug awareness c a m p a i g n ’s launching ceremony was held on 18 August 2015, at the Governor’s House in Karachi, and was chaired by H.E. Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan, the Governor of Sindh. Mr Muhammad Ghalib Ali Bandesha, Secretary Narcotics Control Division; Mr Shahid Khan Afridi, Goodwill Ambassador UNODC; Mr Cesar Guedes, Representative UNODC Pakistan Office; Ms Jennifer K Nilson, Counter Narcotics Program Officer INL participated in the event as well. Media personnel, civil society organisations, and various secretaries, and senior officials from the provincial health, education and home departments of Sindh also attended the launch.

According to the National Drug Use Survey of 2013, it is estimated that six per cent of the population of Pakistan, aged between 15 and 64, used drugs. The Province of Sindh had the second highest prevalence of cannabis use in the country and almost 100,000 drug users in Sindh are estimated to be injecting drugs, primarily opiates.

Based on the findings of the National Drug Use Survey, UNODC, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Division (NCD), Government of Sindh and the Bureau of

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International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), determined that Sindh was the second most vulnerable province in Pakistan after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and designated it a priority for drug awareness interventions through various initiatives targeting youth, students, teachers, parents, religious leaders and the general public.

The proposed activity for selected cities in Sindh province has been developed in close cooperation with the Government of Pakistan (GoP) to undertake an effective drug awareness campaign through the use of billboards at strategic locations, awareness massages (in local languages) on FM radio and local TV stations, community based activities in school and colleges, and the establishment of a hot line. The activity forms an integral part of the UNODC Country

Programme’s (CP) Sub-Programme 3 ‘Drug Demand Reduction and HIV/AIDS’. The campaign has targeted nine cities across Sindh: Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad.

news and events

education

SDG-4 consultations in Pakistan The Asia-Pacific Meeting on Education 2030 (APMED 2030) in November 2015 in Bangkok led to a shared vision on the engagement of national governments for implementation of the SDG 4 - ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life‐long learning opportunities for all – in the region. It was unanimously endorsed that organization of national and regional consultations is critical for preparing national roadmaps and strategies for implementation of the SDG-4 or the 2030 education agenda.

In line with this shared vision, UNESCO Islamabad Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FE&PT) and UNICEF Pakistan spearheaded an extensive national and provincial/ area consultations on the SDG-4. Given the devolved context of education in Pakistan under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, engagement with the provincial governments was crucial to operationalize the new education agenda. The four provinces together with the four key geographical areas were fully taken on board to steer the consultations in their respective areas.

The consultations primarily aimed at developing a clear understanding of the education sector stakeholders on: (i) the SDG-4 targets and the Framework for Action, (ii) the SDG-4 global and thematic indicators and corresponding data needs, and (iii) roles and responsibilities of governmental and intergovernmental organizations and development partners to achieve SDG 4 targets. The duration of each consultation was of two days.

A wide range of education officials, national and international development partners, parliamentarians and representatives of academia, civil society and media participated in the consultations. While the Ministry of FE&PT was in a lead role with the Minister of State for Education participating in each event, all consultations were held in close partnership with provincial education departments. UNESCO and UNICEF had a coordination and support function. Other UN agencies, e.g. UNHCR, WFP and UNFPA contributed financially.

presented to Inter-Provincial Education Ministers’ Conference (IPEMC) in mid-2016 for approval.

The province and area specific roadmaps will feed into a national roadmap or a strategic country document for SDG-4 implementation. The draft will be further discussed and finalized at the national level validation conference in July 2016. The final document will be

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news and events

education

Government of KP takes initiative in implementing SDG-4 After the successful organization of national and provincial consultations in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, UNESCO, UNICEF, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in collaboration with the Provincial Elementary & Secondary Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and UNHCR, organized the third provincial consultation workshop on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) ‘the Education 2030 Agenda’ in Peshawar.

Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, said that the Government of Pakistan has adapted a proactive approach for implementing the new Education Agenda 2030 in the country. The Government has established the National Curriculum Council (NCC), revived the National Education Assessment System (NEAS), established 6000 non-formal schools under the auspices of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), established 14000 schools under the Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) framework and at the federal and provincial levels, budget allocations for education have been substantively

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enhanced. Mr. Mushtaq Ghani, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Higher Education highlighted certain initiatives of the provincial governments for decreasing drop out, increasing retention and improving the quality of education in the province Mr. Afzal Latif, Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education, Government of KP shared that the education sector plan of KP province, which is almost finalized, is in line with the new education agenda.

our collective responsibility to ensure that education caters to the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized children and youth, especially refugees, internally displaced children, stateless children and those belonging to regions of conflict and insecurity.

During the workshop, the inaugural and plenary sessions were followed by group work which focused on awareness raising and familiarization with the SDG-4 agenda,

Muhammad Humayun, Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training reminded of the need to revisit this education sector plan from the SDG-4 perspective to identify missing links and to formulate the required strategy for their integration.

Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO’s Representative to Pakistan, described the development process of the SDG-4 and said that the new education agenda addresses the unfinished business of the EFA targets and the education related MDGs. It also reminds us of

integration of the SDG-4 with the provincial sector plan along with coordination and M&E mechanism.

The main outcome of the two-day consultation was a strategic document for the integration of the SDG-4 with the provincial education sector plan, which will feed into an overall national strategic framework.

news and events

gender equality and empowerment

Punjab Women’s Protection Bill: a giant step for humankind UN Women welcomes the passage of the Protection of Women against Violence Bill 2015 by the Punjab Assembly on 24 February 2016. The introduction of this bill is an important step ahead of International Women’s Day and demonstrates the political will of the Government of the Punjab in addressing the issue of violence against women and girls. The Bill includes a broad definition of violence, steps to make complaint submissions easier, establishment of committees at the district level to investigate complaints, and other built-in implementation mechanisms through the establishment of one-stop Violence Against Women Centres (VAWC) in all districts, court orders, and introduction of GPS tracked electronic devices on perpetrators to enforce protection orders.

According to the data gathered by Aurat Foundation, an NGO working for women rights, as many as 7,010 cases of violence against women were reported in Punjab in 2014.

Similarly, 1,707 cases of kidnapping were reported during the year, while those of rape and gang rape numbered 1,408. Honor killings too were highest in Punjab compared to the other provinces, coming to

around 340 reported cases. Considering the troubling statistics regarding the prevalence of violence against women in Punjab, it has become all the more important to legislate effectively to curb this societal menace.

In countries like Pakistan where some customary laws co-exist alongside codified law, international bodies have been concerned about the use of discriminatory customary law and practice, despite laws enacted to protect women from violence. UN Women advocates for the continued adoption and enforcement of national and provincial laws to address and punish all forms of violence against women and girls in Pakistan. This is in

line with Pakistan’s obligation under CEDAW, consistent with international human rights standards, and is one of the five key outcomes which the UN Secretary-General’s campaign ‘UNiTE to End Violence against Women’ set out to achieve in all countries by 2015.

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news and events

gender equality and empowerment

Call for a bigger role for women in Pakistani media

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) and the British High Commission in Pakistan paid tribute the outstanding female journalists working in Pakistan at a ‘Women in the Media’ roundtable, taking place to mark International Women’s Day. The event featured women journalists with different backgrounds talking about their jobs, their commitment and the specific challenges and dangers they face in the course of their work, especially while reporting on development issues.

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Mr Thomas Drew CMG, the British High Commissioner-Designate to Pakistan lauded the new generation of quality female journalists who are picking up the baton to fight the most important battles and cover some of the most pressing issues including human rights violations, corruption, development or other subject that are off-limits in their society. He also reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the education of women in Pakistan, mentioning how over seven million girls in primary and secondary schools

of Pakistan benefit from the UK’s largest education programme in the world.

Mr Vittorio Cammarota, Director UNIC highlighted the fact that reporters have access to very large audiences and can contribute to disseminating information on peace, tolerance, education, gender equity and many more topics relevant to development. While the situation is improving, the number of women in media is still too low.

He reaffirmed UNIC’s commitment to increasing the number of wom-

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en engaged in key positions in the media industry. He reminded everyone that inorder to allow for women to access opportunities, they need to have access to education around the country.

Speaking at the event renowned

women. However, she reminded everyone to not forget the challenges that women are facing and that there is a scary misogynistic approach rampantly prevalent in the country against all empowered women like Malala, Sharmeen and

TV anchor and journalist, Fereeha Idrees said that it is indeed a happy time in Pakistan for women with new laws being proposed and passed for their protection and female issues being highlighted on the international level by Pakistani

anyone who stands up to defend them. ‘We must make a resolve to curb these’ she said.

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gender equality and empowerment

The real ‘game changer’ for Pakistani women There has been considerable media spotlight and expert analysis on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). What makes CPEC crucial for Pakistan’s development is its potential to use public works to promote inclusive economic growth, ensuring equal opportunities and benefits for all citizens especially women who are more disadvantaged than men.

With only 22% female labor force participation (LFS 2014-2015), Pakistan ranks the lowest in South Asia. A recent study conducted

by ILO shows that women’s under-representation in the labor force can be attributed to a combination of social constraints and a hostile working environment including unavailability of women friendly transportation, which affects their mobility & thus productivity. It is therefore important to develop inclusive growth policies and targeted interventions to promote women’s economic empowerment.

Another critical factor that affects women’s quality of life and productivity is their access to energy services. Policies do not always account for gender differences in demand and use of energy services, which may increase women’sburedn. A strong link has been estab-

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lished between access to electricity and income generation therefore well-designed electricity projects can expand economic opportunities for women.

Since transport & energy infrastructure expansion is a key objective of CPEC, a more inclusive impact can be ensured through catering to women’s concerns and priorities such as easy access to safe transport, enforcement and regular monitoring of gender quotas for employment, decent working conditions including mechanism to prevent and deal with sexual harassment at the workplace, toilets at railway stations/bus terminals, well lit roads/streets to minimize the risks to physical security. Women’s specific concerns are not always fully understood or prioritized in the design and execution of mega projects predominantly led by men.

The encouraging news is that the leadership in both China and Pakistan have stepped up their efforts and commitments towards gender equality both in the economic sphere and other domains.

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‘Women Business Growth Centre’ launched on International Women’s Day 2016

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized a ceremony to celebrate International Womens Day 2016. Esam Alqararah UNIDO Representative, Sheikh Pervez Ahmed, Senior Vice President, Sheikh Abdul Waheed Vice President ICCI, Ms. Amina Malik, PML(N) Women Wing Punjab and Vice President Chairman FPCCI International Trade & Investment Committee, Ms. Nasira Ali Executive Member ICCI & Chairperson ICCI Women Affairs Committee, Ms. Zeenat Ayesha, Chairperson ICCI Women Entrepreneurship Committee, Dr. Shahina Waheed National Program Coordinator UNIDO and many other women entrepreneurs were present in the event. Gender mainstreaming is one of the major focuses of the UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), which employs a competition-based ecosystem approach to identify the most promising entrepreneurs across the country. It works as a local business acceleration programme that supports, pro-

motes and ‘de-risks’ the participating companies and connects them to the potential investors, customers, and partners.

ICCI & UNIDO has launched ‘Women Business Growth Centre’(WBGC) which was the first initiative of its kind the private sector and focuses on the promotion of women entrepreneurship. At this occasion, UNIDO in collaboration with ICCI also launched the ‘Women in Cleantech Campaign’ aimed at encouraging women entrepreneurs to embrace clean technology products that offered immense potential for business growth.

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Amina Malik said women have a vital role in the economic development of the country and assured support in e-training and capacity building programs for women. She said she

would try to achieve better funding from the government for projects aimed at women empowerment.

Esam Alqararah, UNIDO Representative said that cooperation between UNIDO and ICCI was achieving positive outcomes for business community as the two organizations have launched many successful initiatives including Global Cleantech Program for SMEs and Start Ups. He said the launch of ‘Women in Cleantech Campaign’ from the platform of ICCI was another step in the right direction to inculcate the importance of clean technologies in women entrepreneurs that have a bright future. He assured that UNIDO would continue to collaborate with ICCI in initiatives aimed at industrial and entrepreneurship development.

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Gender inequality remains in the global labour market

The ILO theme for International Women’s Day 2016 is ‘Getting to Equal by 2030: The Future is Now’.

The 2030 Agenda represents a universal consensus on the crucial importance of gender equality and its contribution to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Nearly all of the agenda’s goals have a gender component.

Shauna Olney, Chief of the ILO’s Gender, Equality and Diversity branch stated that sustainable development means that no one is left behind and ensures that the future of work is decent work for all women and men.

As part of the ILO’s Women at Work Centenary Initiative, the ILO has prepared a new report titled ‘Women at Work: Trends 2016’. The report examines data from 178 countries and concludes that inequality between men and women persists across a wide spectrum of the global labour market. Despite some modest gains in some regions of the world, millions of women are losing ground in their question for equality in the professional world.

The ILO Director-General Guy Ryder stressed the importance for im-

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mediate, effective and far-reaching actions on this front and stated that the 2030 Agenda is an opportunity to develop coherent, mutually supporting policies for gender equality.

Among the observations, it was mentioned that the employment gender gap has closed by only 0.6 percentage points since 1995, that women work longer hours in both paid & unpaid work, women are still spending significantly more time on childcare and housework than men, women receive lower pensions and the wage gap has not been eradicated with women still earning 77 percent of men. Further, while there has been significant progress by

women in terms of education, this has not translated into comparable improvements in their position at work. Indeed, the report finds that women are entering skill-based technological work at a much lower rate than men.

More jobs – and quality jobs – for women, universal social protection and measures to recognize, reduce and redistribute unpaid care and household work are indispensable to delivering on the new transformative agenda.

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Briefing on the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment by Ms. Fiza Farhan The inaugural meeting of the first-ever High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment kicked off on 15 March 2016 during the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. Operating under the aegis of the UN Secretary-General, the panel intends to put women’s economic empowerment at the top of the international agenda, including by defining actions to speed up progress under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ms. Fiza Farhan, a Pakistani woman, was one of eighteen High-Level Panel Members who will be providing innovative solutions to the challenges faced by women UN Women, hosted a briefing session with Fiza Farhan in Islamabad, Pakistan on 29 March 2016 to present the outcomes of some the deliberations at the global level with specific relevance to policy and programmatic interventions in Pakistan and the region more broadly.

In her presentation Fiza Farhan shared a three-point agenda to: (i) Formalize informal women workers as formal workers including them in the formal labor force participation of the country; (ii) Incentivizing women to take up jobs in the private; and (iii) Inclusion of women in non-conventional sectors especially renewable energy and technology. Fiza also urged the Government

of Pakistan to establish a ‘Women Empowerment Council’ within the federal and provincial constitutions. Fiza also deliberated on the importance of taking academia on-board to establish mentoring and counseling systems for girls to make career choices, and called for investing time and effort in media houses to promote tailored and targeted social equality campaigns to bring about a positive change in mindsets and conservative cultural norms.

Fiza made the most important ‘Call for Action’ to the women themselves; ‘As for the women, the nexus of women empowerment

and economic justice can only be achieved if ‘we’, the women start believing in the strengths that reside within us.’

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interview

This International Women’s Day, “Celebrate womanhood, Celebrate your strength” With your new appointment as the first National Ambassador for UN Women Pakistan, what does ‘feminism’ and ‘gender stereotyping’ mean to you?

We still live in a world where people think that women are weaker than men both physically and emotionally.

People still believe that men should not cry. This is the time we need to tell our sons that strength has no gender.

We can’t judge a person by his/her gender. It’s the courage, determination and hard work that makes a human empowered not the gender.

Muniba Mazari, 29, is Pakistan’s first National Ambassador for UN Women and was appointed in December 2015.

Your artwork on women carries powerful messages for social change. Some show obstacles and struggles, while others show peace and accomplishments. Is there any parallel between your art and your personal story?

My artwork tells my own life story and that story is everyone’s story. It’s about a constant struggle for survival and an untiring effort to follow one’s dreams. This is why a viewer can relate to each and every art piece that I make. People ask me that why do I paint women only? I always say that being a woman, womanhood is the subject I know the best.

Every art piece gives the message of strength and the big eyes depict hope.

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We come across many people who inspire us and want the best for us.

Who has made the most impact on you – why and how?

A true mentor always tells you not to follow anyone. Sarmad Tariq, my very dear friend and mentor (who is sadly not with us any more – may he rest in peace) is the one who inspired me to be a motivational speaker. He was a quadriplegic and achieved so much on both national and international levels. He touched so many lives and I’m one of those. He once said ‘Problems are never too big, sometimes we are too small!’ During the last telephonic conversation we had he said, ‘Muniba, don’t follow anyone because if you’ll follow someone you won’t be the first one to reach to the destination.

Choose your own way and be your own leader!’ These are his precious words which I follow to this day.

Everyone wants to feel accomplished and proud of something.

What do you feel most proud of and why?

The most proud moment for me is the time when my mother reads my interviews, appreciates when I achieve something and smiles.

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A recent report has highlighted that ‘over half of Pakistan’s teenage girls believe domestic violence is justified.’ What would your words of advice be to a young girl suffering from violence that could result in her physical injury or even death?

a way that they never see a woman as a weak individual. To them both men and women are strong, determined and they both have equal rights. I feel proud when my four years old son says ‘Mom, I’m as strong as a girl!’ To him strength has no gender.

Nobody can empower a woman but a woman herself. Girls need to know their worth. Here mothers can play a vital role in raising strong girls/women.

A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. Girls should take the charge of their own lives. They should decide things for themselves. Getting respect is not a favor, it’s the basic right of a human being, be it a man or a woman.

How can we ‘Step it Up’ for gender equality and make ‘Planet 50-50 a reality by 2030?

Gender equality and women’s empowerment is not just a women’s issue - it is as much the responsibility of men and boys. How can we raise boys to become a stronger voice for women and girls’ rights?

If we want to eliminate gender discrimination completely, we want men to support this cause. We need to work together for gender equality. Each one of us can be an example. Wherever I go, my brothers always accompany me. They know my strength, they know what I’m capable of and they support me. My mother raised them in

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all need to work as a team. Take the charge of your own life and tell people how strong you are because you are beautiful, you are a woman. Let’s eliminate all kinds of discrimination and let’s support each other. After all we are all humans! Celebrate womanhood, celebrate your strength and happy International Women’s Day.

We have to change the mindsets which still think that women are weaker than men. Planet 5050 will be an unreachable reality unless and until both men and women work together as a team. We want men to support women and respect them for who they are, without gender discrimination.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day on 8 March, what message would you give to women and girls, and to men and boys?

We all are different from each other and we all are unique in our own ways.

Do not judge anyone’s abilities on the basis of their gender or appearance.

No one can empower a woman but herself; and when you empower yourself you empower your whole generation. We are here to make this world a better place for ourselves and for our future generations and for that we

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Q&A with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, pakistani journalist, activist and film-maker With your new appointment as the first National Ambassador for UN Women Pakistan, what does ‘feminism’ and ‘gender stereotyping’ mean to you?

UN Women, along with the High Commission of Canada and the British High Commission co-hosted the country’s second screening of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar winning documentary ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’. The event held was held on 11 March 2016 in Islamabad.

UN Women, along with the High Commission of Canada and the British High Commission co-hosted the country’s second screening of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar winning documentary ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’.

The event held was held on 11 March 2016 in Islamabad.

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Your Oscar winning films have which have touched on two real and very moving stories – an acid crime victim and a survivor of honor killing - what has been your inspiration to make such films?

‘Saving Face’ and ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’ both focus on important issues and they, in their own way, speak volumes about the kinds of choices women have in the world and how our lives are impacted by the decisions taken by others.

I am always looking to bring the stories of marginalized communities to the forefront, and feel strongly about making such narratives accessible to a larger audience.

Of all the women you have come across in your film-making, whose story has had the most impact on you – why and how?

I was very inspired by the story of Zakia from ‘Saving Face’, a woman who was attacked by her husband when she asked him for a divorce.

Zakia took the brave step of pressing charges against her husband and took the risk of moving out of his home with her daughter and son.

Aided by her children, Zakia underwent treatment and fought her court case simultaneously. Her resolve when facing such unimaginable circumstances motivated me both as a filmmaker and as a mother. I feel lucky to have met Zakia, and am grateful that I had the opportunity to be with her as she moved through some of the most trying times of her life with poise and ease.

Your documentaries reflect untold ‘gender-based’ violence stories from Pakistan, but the issues are global. As a female film-maker who is ‘shaking the status quo’ on crimes that violate women’s human rights, have you ever faced any backlash?

My films hope to highlight the efforts and struggles of marginalized individuals who are caught in difficult

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circumstances, and this is not just isolated to women. In my career, I have focused on human rights and the plight of children in war torn areas as seen in ‘Pakistan’s Taliban Generation’. I have had the privilege of highlighting the stories of the transgender community in ‘Transgenders: Pakistan’s Open Secret’, Iraqi refugees in ‘Jordan and Syria in Iraq: The Lost Generation’, and harrowing stories of women undergoing illegal abortions in the ‘Philippines in City of Guilt’. All these stories are united in the fact that their struggles have been neglected or voices have been hushed – for reasons varying from illiteracy to extremism.

I welcome criticism because, as a documentary filmmaker, I feel that it is my duty to address issues that people do not want to discuss. I’ve always been interested in topics about human rights and women’s issues that many people find controversial. I choose to film subjects that spark difficult conversations and make people uncomfortable.

Change only comes about when people are forced to discuss an issue, and that’s what I hope my films do by highlighting the issue.

Domestic violence is not a justified crime in any form or action.

What are some of the key messages from your documentaries

that should reach out to women and young girls suffering from abuse and violence?

Domestic violence affects women across the globe so it is important to know that you are not alone, there is help out there. It’s a repetitive cycle and unfortunately, once it begins, it rarely ever stops. According to the World Health Organization, 35% of women worldwide have experienced violence at the hands of their partners in their lifetime. It is important to talk about it with someone you trust and make a decision that’s right for you and/or your children.

It’s important to think about yourself in this case and leave. Never blame yourself – the only thing to blame is a man’s insecurities.

In 2014, one of the episodes that we launched as part of a twelve-part series called Aghaz-e-Safar for Pakistani television, focused on the issue of domestic violence in the country. We took an in-depth look into the lives of women who have been physically and mentally tormented at the hands of domineering family members. We interviewed victims, perpetrators and activists in an effort to penetrate deeper into the causes and consequences of such abuse.

Many Pakistani women including yourself are breaking gen-

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der barriers and stereotypes in a patriarchal society. Do you think men are also being confined by gender stereotypes – why and what can they do to ‘break free’?

Stereotyping any gender, religion, class or ethnicity is very dangerous because it feeds into inequality, and the same is true when it comes to stereotyping men. That being said, over the last few decades, it has been much easier for men to break free from stereotypical gender roles.

You see more and more men entering the field of fashion, theatre and arts but women are still sidelined when it comes to education, job opportunities, public spaces and perhaps most dangerously, their homes.

Every year, hundreds of women are killed in the name of honor: she is killed because ‘she ran away from home’ or ‘she fell in love’ or because ‘she wanted a divorce’ and these cases receive scant attention from the media, politicians, lawmakers and even civilians (all of which exist with women in minority amounts).

I fear that a healthy and necessary conversation about gender will get swallowed by what is often posed as ‘more important and more pressing’ matters. Conversations in Pakistan, whether they are occurring in the drawing room or in the parliament, are almost exclusively about the po-

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litical turmoil in the country. We are a nation that is currently fighting a number of civil insurgencies, in addition to dealing with rising levels of bigotry and intolerance. In the past, nations that have gone through similar bouts of unrest such as Afghanistan and Iraq, have bartered the issue of women’s rights for what was posed as the greater political good.

I fear that the same will happen in Pakistan.

The very fact that women are currently unable to make their own policy decisions in certain parts of the country is an alarming reality, and pushes us further away from being the owners of our own stories and fighters for our own rights.

How best can we engage boys and men in our shared struggle against gender-based violence?

We have to start from the very beginning and raise our sons to respect women. It has to start from the home and continue through in schools and colleges where it is important to incorporate talks about gender equality – only then will we see the fruits of what we reap on a national policy level.

Your second Oscar documentary film winner ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’ has caught the personal attention of the Prime Minister of Pakistan with a commitment to amend honour killing and rape laws.

Other than ‘women friendly’ legislation, what would you say are the biggest obstacles for victims

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of violence to get justice without delay and exploitation?

‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’ has won an Academy Award and now, with the world watching, the film has elevated the issue of honor killings to the national sphere. It has spurred more support for the victims of honor killings and sends out a strong message that this practice is a stain on our society.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has vowed to eradicate honor killings after the Oscar win. As a father and a grandfather, it is important for him to make that gesture, not only to the women of Pakistan, but also to the women of his own family.

The prevalence of such attacks stem partly from structural inequalities that make it difficult for women to access the judicial system in addition to longstanding cultural practices that support gender discrimination.

The perpetrators know that they will only serve a few years in jail if they are found guilty. The lack of liability coupled with an embedded patriarchal system allows for honor killing crimes to run rampant – and this is exactly what we need to tackle in order to get justice for the victims of honor killing.

What is your message to young girls and women who think living a life free of discrimination and violence remains a ‘mirage’ in Pakistan?

I think the most important message that I can give to young girls and women is to never lose hope.

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There have been many times during the course of filming when I have felt emotionally overwhelmed, but I have found hope and inspiration in my subjects and their ability to pursue life-altering decisions under the toughest of circumstances. Let their courage motivate and inspire you to become change-makers yourselves.

The last few decades have seen many challenges for Pakistan but it is our home. It is our responsibility as Pakistanis to unite and find solutions. If we don’t then who will?

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Empowering women through food tech Recently UN Women organized a skills development workshop in Lahore on ‘Women and Food Tech Sharing Economy: Employability and Empowerment’ to enable Pakistani women to focus on self-efficiency and resourcefulness through innovation. The workshop was supported by the Danish Embassy in Pakistan, Pakistan Innovation Foundation, WeCreate, Lahore College for Women University, School of Leadership, Million Kitchen in India and implementing partners.

Vimlendu Jha and Pratik Kumar, social entrepreneurs from India conducted training sessions based on their pioneering social venture called ‘Million Kitchen’, a techbased home food ordering platform that enables home cooked meals to be delivered home or at work.

UN Women’s initiative aims to introduce and replicate this innovative approach for women homebased workers in Pakistan and make way for enterprise development and women’s economic empowerment.

A diverse array of stakeholders discussed, experimented and tested their prototypes throughout the workshop. Participants received training on administration, budgeting and ICT, all leading up to a

practicum on Thursday 28th of January where women home based workers successfully sold their home cooked food online.

At the closing session, all participants shared their experiences, and UN Women’s Country Representative Jamshed M. Kazi said that UN Women thanked the Government of Denmark for their support and allowing them to bring together diverse partners from civil society organizations, the private sector, universities and the Punjab government for the successful test run of the ‘Million kitchen’ model.

Tehzeeb Baqar, Programme Officer of HomeNet Pakistan said the workshop had been different since usually training for women focus on traditional skills, while this workshop taught them skills like how to budget, buy raw material, garnish the food, and then sell it online.

Zehra Khan, Secretary General of the Home-based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) stressed that it is important to ensure that women are not left behind in technological development and they can emspower themselves through this platform.

Closing remarks were given by the chief guest Amna Imam, Secretary for Women and Development Department (WDD), Government of Punjab. She applauded the women for taking the opportunity to learn

about economic empowerment and encouraged the participants to use these skills for income generation.

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Stop labelling women, freeze the tease: #LabelvsYou Women and girls across the world are, at some point in their lives, negatively and even sexually labelled. UN Women’s ‘Stop labelling women - freeze the tease’ is a simple yet powerful initiative that aims to send out a message to stop labelling women with a negative, sexual or outcast status and casually writing them off.

Labelling and teasing, if unwelcome, may be regarded as harassment, humiliation or bullying, especially if car-

ried out in public places, at the work place and in educational institutions.

The campaign was launched on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2016 and is supported by and featuring Muniba Mazari, National Ambassador for UN Women Pakistan. It encourages women and girls to share their #LabelvsYou struggle and urges people to stop, think and end the culture of teasing and offensive labelling.

The initiative is created together with Ali Gul Pir (a Pakistani entertainer, rapper, comedian and writer) and www. bensound.com, and aims to open a larger conversation on women’s rights

and gender equality in Pakistan and the world.

Acknowledging Pakistani women change-makers on International Women’s Day Pakistani women from different spheres of life were recognized and honored across the country in numerous events commemorating International Women’s Day 2016. Over the years Pakistan has witnessed many women and young girls break stereotypes and overcome gender biases in the face of adversity. This year, UN Women acknowledged local Pakistani women ‘change-makers’ for their remarkable work in the fields of politics, education, medicine, law and judiciary, public security (police), social activism, health, business, journalism and media.

These women ‘change-makers’ were acknowledged through UN Women held/co-hosted events in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,

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and in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. They belonged to a diverse range of fields including politics, journalism, sports, education, health, business, media and the judiciary.

Additionally, Najma Balock, survivor of acid throwing burns was also acknowledged for her strength and spirit in re-building her life as an educationalist.

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Purple balloon walk and pledge for a “Planet 50-50 by 2030” Pakistani women and men walked side by side in a Purple Balloon Walk, with a call to ‘Step It Up for Gender Equality’ and make ‘Planet 50-50’ a reality by 2030. The walk was organized by UN along with key partners.

The uphill walk took place on 8 March 2015 in Muzaffarabad, State of Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) and nearly 100 people holding purple and blue balloons participated, including representatives from the Government, civil society, development agencies and the UN. The rally for women’s rights was co-led by Farzana Yaqoob, the State Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development and Shaheen Dar, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly.

Ms Yaqoob conveyed that the government is taking special measures to safeguard the rights of women in the state. Ms Dar recognized that women’s participation was critical to the development process and called for increased State level initiatives to promote women’s development. She went on to say that if women and girls are not able to fully realize their rights in all aspects of life, they will not be able to make decisions for a better future.

On behalf of UN Women, Bushra Shams, Gender Adviser mentioned that women are striving hard to find new opportunities and a better

life for themselves and their families. She lauded the establishment of institutions such as the Women Development Directorate, Women Parliamentarian Caucus and the State Commission on the Status of Women since they will support and advocate for women’s access to education and economic independence.

This event was part of a series of activities commemorating International Women’s Day and was followed by a seminar which highlighted the importance of women’s rights in the Country and region.

During the seminar, around 50 members representing government

departments, the judiciary, youth, civil society, NGOs, the UN and media outlets, held placards and pledged their support for a ‘Planet 5050 by 2013’ and committed to ‘Step It Up for Gender Equality.’

The seminar was organized by ACT (Aiming Change for Tomorrow), the State Government of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, WFP and UN Women.

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UN Women and the Aurat Foundation step it up for gender equality On 8 March 2016, a joint event was held

by UN Women and the USAID supported Gender Equity Program (GEP) of the Aurat Foundation. The UN Women theme for the International Women’s Day ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality’ fit well with the accomplishments of the outstanding women who participated at the event.

Mr. Naeem Mirza, Chief Operating Officer, Aurat Foundation expressed admiration for the immense resilience and potential of Pakistani women, and discussed their struggle for equality within the context of global women’s movements. UN Women Country Representative Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi said that the year 2015 was the start of the newly endorsed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by all nations with an even more urgent and accelerated drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Beneficiaries of GEP and UN Women gave testimonies of their experiences, followed by a powerful theatrical performance that touched the audience by showing how a woman facing gender based violence found strength to empower herself.

A panel of Pakistani women who

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have broken gender barriers discussed what needs to be done to obtain gender equality in Pakistan.

The need to create safe public space for women so that they can feel free of harassment and disturbance was raised by Ms. Sana Mahmud, Captain of the Women’s Basketball Team. The first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Everest, Ms. Samina Baig, pointed out that gender equality starts at home and that mothers have a responsibility not to favor boys.

Ms. Nazish Brohi, a researcher and consultant, said that Pakistani women’s choices have increased over the last 30-40 years. The veteran TV director, producer and actress, Ms. Misbah Khalid highlited the need for men to be included

in the struggle for gender equality while Ms. Bina Sultan, a wellknown clothing designer highlighted her struggle to be accepted as a single mother and business woman. Ms. Humera Azam Khan, Joint Secretary Administration at the Ministry of Human Rights, stressed that women need to come forward in the public sector and in policy making decisions.

Concluding remarks were given by Senator Razina Alam, Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Development, who stressed that more needs to be done to create awareness of women’s rights.

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Pakistan at the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women The 60th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the single-largest intergovernmental gathering on women and girls, took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14 to 24 March 2016. The CSW is a global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The Commission addressed as its priority theme ‘Women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable development’ and evaluated progress in the implementation of the agreed conclusions from the 57th Session (2013) on ‘The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls’.

Pakistan’s delegation comprised of women and men parliamentarians, women’s rights advocates and youth activists and actively engaged in dialogue to implement the 2030 Agenda at the country level and expressed their determination for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals targets of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Proving that young women and young men are a force to be reckoned with, Pakistan’s delegation including Ms. Aamna Qureshi

joined 300 global participants in the first-ever Youth Forum held on 11-12 March. Ms. Fiza Farhan and Ms. Saadia Zahida, participated as panel members in the inaugural meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment on 15 March. At a side event of CSW organized by Pakistan’s Mission to the UN and co-sponsored by UN Women in conjunction with Equality Now, a screening was held of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Academy Award-winning documentary film on honour killings ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’.

Speaking at the occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi said Pakistan believes that violence against women is a key concern in the overall agenda of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Pakistan’s National Day coincided with the second last day of the CSW session and for the first time in history, this day was celebrated in the UN General Assembly with ambassadors and representatives from over 125 countries. Renowned Pakistani Sufi artist, Mr. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, performed at ‘Sufi Night; Music of Peace’, a concert under the theme of global peace and harmony.

On the occasion, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon greeted the crowd

in Urdu in a video message, congratulated Pakistan on the national day and said: ‘Tonight, the halls of the General Assembly will resound with the Sufi message of oneness, a message of peace and compassion, of understanding and harmony’.

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news and events

gender equality and empowerment

Women’s participation and leadership - a game changer to current political paradigms Pakistan’s Inter-Agency Gender and Development Group (INGAD) under the co-chairship of the Australian High Commission and UN Women, brought together a number of influential Pakistani women and men to discuss challenges and opportunities for women’s political leadership and empowerment in the country.

Pakistan currently has 20.6% female participation in the National Assembly. Pakistan has had its first and only female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, it’s first female speaker of the National Assembly and in the Muslim World and presently has four female speakers or deputy speakers in the Provincial Assemblies of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and in Pakistan Administered Kashmir.

The panel discussion, ‘Women’s Leadership, Voice and Political Participation’ held on 21 April 2016 at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services in Islamabad focused on women’s political empowerment issues and challenges and explored opportunities for reform, advocacy and engagement. Influential panelists included Ms. Shaista Pervez Malik, member of the National Assembly and Secretary-General of the National Women’s Parliamenta-

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ry Caucus, Dr. Bushra Gohar, member of the National Assembly and women’s rights activist, Ms. Shaza Khwaja, member of the National Assembly and Secretary-General of the Young Parliamentarians Forum Pakistan, and Mr. Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services.

Recommendations from the event included: (i) Affirmative action be taken to address the issue of disenfranchisement faced by women in electoral and political processes; (ii) Legislation should be introduced to declare elections null and void in constituencies where the turn-out of women voters is less than 10%; (iii) An amendment should be made to the Political Parties and Rep-

resentation Act to support women to contest direct elections on both reserved and general seats; (iv) Political parties should not only give tickets to women to contest election on direct seats but also ensure that party tickets are issued for winnable seats; and (v) Women’s representation and leadership should be encouraged and increased in public roles.

news and events

health

Canada supports polio eradication efforts in Pakistan The Government of Canada has announced a contribution of $40 million CAD to support polio eradication in Pakistan over the next 3 years. Ms Heather Cruden, High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan stated that the polio virus can spread across national borders and by making a joint effort and combining resources, the fight against the virus can be won.

The contribution will allow UNICEF to strengthen community support for eradication, raise awareness and support recruitment and training for a community-based vaccinators’ project while WHO will strengthen supplementary immunization operations, surveillance and monitoring efforts to detect and track the poliovirus.

At a ceremony at the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination, the Honourable Minister Saira Tarar thanked the Government of Canada for being a generous support and said that the support and leadership extended will go a long way to helping the children of Pakistan be free from this crippling disease.

Pakistan is making significant progress in the fight against polio, this according to international oversight

bodies, such as the Independent Monitoring Board for Polio Eradication, the Pakistan Polio Technical Advisory Group and the World Health Assembly. Last year, Pakistan achieved an 82% reduction in the number of children affected by polio, down to 54 cases compared to 306 in 2014.

Dr Lamia Mahmoud, acting WHO representative in Pakistan said that Pakistan is the closest it has ever been to eradication and that a robust surveillance system is critical to the effort. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Pakistan said that the number of vaccinators has already been significantly increased and real progress has been made in reducing the number of new infections. The contribution by Canada will ensure that future generations in Pakistan will no longer have their lives blighted by this crippling disease.

including Pakistan.

The polio eradication programme in Pakistan has undertaken a key strategic shift from quantity to quality campaigns, moving the focus to children who are being consistently missed in campaigns. Canada is one of the leading supporters of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s goal of eradicating polio by 2018, and contributing to the fight against polio in several critical countries,

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health

Pakistan progressing on immunisation efforts A high level mission to Pakistan led by Anuradha Gupta, Deputy CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK’s Department of International Development, USAID, the Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation, UNICEF and WHO, visited Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to inspect the progress made, understand the challenges that lie ahead, and encourage leaders to reinforce their commitment to end childhood vaccine preventable deaths.

Ms Gupta stated that she was very encouraged by the visit and that coordination at federal and provincial level has improved. The WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr Michel Theiren stressed the importance of accurate and timely information in ensuring that children are being reached and highlighted the need to engage in these efforts on a larger scale. The UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Angela Kearney emphasized that access to lifesaving vaccines should be available to all children in the country irrespective of location, whether it is a remote area or an urban slum. To this end, new approaches are being taken to facilitate the process such as the use of mobile phone technology and real-time data to monitor vacci-

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nators, identify children missing out on vaccinations, and strengthen accountability.

There is also great disparity between provinces, districts and communities with regards to the coverage rate of the most basic vaccines. The 2013 Pakistan Demographic Health Survey showed that Punjab had 76% coverage while Baluchistan only had 27%.

Recently, however, the Chief Minister of Sindh, Dr Qaim Ali Shah has made a decision to better support immunization efforts by including operational costs in the province’s recurrent budget.

Pakistan is the largest recipient of

Vaccine Alliance funding having received US$1 Billion from Gavi between 2001 and 2019. Gavi has been assisting Pakistan provide a five-in-one pentavalent vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and also provides support for measles campaigns and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

Pakistan is also currently preparing an application to Gavi for the introduction of rotavirus vaccine, which is a significant step to protect children from dying of diarrhea.

news and events

health

Global competition to raise awareness on early childhood development Lions Health and UNICEF launch the 2016 Young Lions Health Award.

The competition, now in its second year, challenges young creatives and marketers to develop an integrated marketing toolkit that will raise awareness among caregivers about the importance of play in fostering children’s cognitive, social and emotional development in the critical first years of life. The ideas will be used as part of UNICEF’s overall communication outreach on Early Childhood Development.

Louise Benson, Festival Director, Lions Health, said, ‘as well as driving young industry talent, our partnership with UNICEF will raise crucial awareness to help improve the wellbeing of young children across the world.’

Submissions, which must contain a digital activation, print ad and video, will be judged by a team of industry experts and special guests including UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Shakira Mebarak, Alexandra von Plato, Group President, Publicis Healthcare Communications Group and Josh Prince, President, The CDM Group.

Shakira stated that she was very pleased to join the Young Lions Health Award jury to help shine a

spotlight on the importance of early childhood development and talked about the importance of development in the early years of a child and how it can empower them to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners.

During the first years of life, in the right environment, a child’s brain has the potential to connect 1,000 brain cells every second. These connections serve as the building blocks of a child’s future, determining their health, learning ability, and emotional wellbeing.

‘Together we are calling on young marketers from across the world to propose creative assets that will raise awareness of the importance of early nurturing care and protec-

tion for children’s development.’ said UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development Pia Britto.

The winner of the Young Lions Health Award will be invited to attend Lions Health on 18-19 June in Cannes, France, where they will receive their award during the official ceremony attended by close to 1,000 experts from the healthcare communications industry.

Communication and marketing professionals under the age of 30 are invited to submit their campaign concepts online at www. canneslions.com/lions_health

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health

Prevention and management of diabetes is crucial Diabetes is a pandemic that remains hidden throughout most of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading acute of the death by 2030. On World Health Day, 7 April, WHO is calling for a twopronged approach: interventions to prevent diabetes, and interventions to manage diabetes for people who have already developed the condition.

‘There were over 7 million cases of diabetes in Pakistan in 2015. According to the reports of Pakistan National Diabetes Survey there is a considerable increase in prevalence rates with increasing age, the single most important determinant of risk’ says Dr Michel Thieren, WHO Country Representative in Pakistan. As life expectancy increases in Pakistan, projected prevalence rates of Diabetes will increase significantly. The urbanization of the population and adoption of increasingly sedentary lifestyle and westernized diets may also contribute to the increasing rates noted.

Diabetes is one of the four main non-communicable diseases and together with cancer, heart attacks and strokes and lung disease, is responsible for 1.7 million deaths in the Region every year. ‘Efforts to address the diabetes burden should

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be considered within the context of the overall efforts to combat the four main non-communicable diseases’, says Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Western Mediterranean.

He also stressed that both individuals and governments need to play their part in combatting diabetes.

Governments can take the following actions: conduct national public awareness campaigns on diabetes, create and protect physical environments that promote physical activity, regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children, subsidize the production and marketing of healthy food options and ensure free access to acceptable standard for health care for

people with diabetes.

Early detection and appropriate management can prevent or slow the progression of the condition, and the development of complications. Ineffective management of diabetes can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, impotence, amputations and infections.

On World Health Day and beyond, everyone can take action and make change. Everyone can play a role in preventing and managing diabetes, and reducing the escalating burden.

news and events

health

UN-Habitat’s key contribution to polio eradication in Pakistan Extensive conflict and extremism, political instability, inaccessible population, and poor infrastructure continue to be a challenge for entities fighting against polio in Pakistan.

Gadap Town (Karachi, Sindh) is one of the areas where polio cases are found and is characterized by unplanned growth and an influx of registered and unregistered refugees and temporarily displaced/dislocated population, making it difficult for authorities to provide basic services. With UNICEF’s funding, UN-Habitat became the only UN agency in Pakistan to directly work inside this high security risk area and provide improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Gadap Town. Prior to this, the conditions were very unhygienic and safe drinking water was highly expensive, and mostly unavailable. UN-Habitat formed environmental WASH clubs in schools/madrasahs to brief the children about health and hygiene standards. With the confidence derived from successful Behavioural Change Campaigns (BCC), UN-Habitat arranged for safe drinking water by installing reverse osmosis water purification plants, overhead water reservoirs, and water coolers with water purification system in schools/madrasahs. A new water supply scheme was installed in Junejo Colony UC 4, construction and repair of sewerage

manholes and water supply lines was undertaken, ablution places, and latrines were constructed along with a Basic Health Unit for the area. Waste bins were installed and the community was informed on proper disposal of solid waste. Moreover, UN-Habitat undertook the extensive task of cleaning the Layari river and constructed a retaining wall along it, in order to improve the environmental hygiene of the area.

The programme has received great acclaim from community residents, donor, and authorities. The District Coordinator of Malir said, ‘People are afraid of working in our community, but our children direly needed training on

health and hygiene standards, and we are thankful to UN-Habitat for their initiative and trust in our community’. To date, a total of approximately 250,000 residents of Gadap Town have benefitted from UN-Habitat’s support. These interventions have proven that addressing the need for essential water, hygiene and sanitation increased the acceptance of polio vaccination and addressed critical underlying determinants of the continuing circulation of wild polio virus in the high priority areas

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news and events

human rights

Initiative to protect girls from child marriage

The UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage will help protect the rights of millions of the world’s most vulnerable girls, UNICEF and UNFPA said on International Women’s Day. The programme is being supported

by Canada, the European Union, Italy, Netherlands, and the UK and will involve families, communities, governments and young people. This is part of a global effort to prevent girls from marrying too young and to support those already married as girls in 12 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East where child marriage rates are high.

Child marriage is a violation of the rights of girls and women. Girls who are married as children are more likely to be out of school, suffer domestic violence, contract HIV/AIDS and die due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Child marriage also hurts economies and leads to intergenerational cycles of poverty.

‘Choosing when and whom to marry is one of life’s most important decisions. Child marriage denies millions of girls this choice each year,’ said Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA. The new global

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programme will focus on five proven strategies, including increasing girls’ access to education, educating parents and communities on the dangers of child marriage, increasing economic support to families, and strengthening and enforcing laws that establish 18 as the minimum age of marriage.

‘The world has awakened to the damage child marriage causes to individual girls, to their future children, and to their societies’, said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. ‘If current trends continue, the num-

ber of girls and women married as children will reach nearly 1 billion by 2030 – 1 billion childhoods lost, 1 billion futures blighted.’

The global community demonstrated strong commitment to end child marriage by including a target on eliminating it and other harmful practices in the Sustainable Development Goals. UNICEF and UNFPA call on governments and partner organizations to support the new Global Programme to help eliminate child marriage by 2030.

news and events

human rights

Picturing freedom: UN Human Rights Office announces young Pakistani as winner of children’s poster competition The UN Human Rights Office has announced the two winners of a poster contest for children to illustrate what freedom means to them.

The competition was organized as part of a year-long campaign by the Office to mark the 50th anniversary of two core human rights treaties, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

UNIC Islamabad conducted the competition in Pakistan. The qualifying entry won the global competition; Eiza Abid, a 15 year old Pakistan girl, used powerful imagery, dark tones, and bright colors to represent freedom of thought. The winners were announced in March in Geneva. Eiza wrote in the poster’s description, ‘My painting personifies the darkness and confinement within a person’s life and once the person is set free from the pressures and judgment of others, one can freely express their thoughts.’Fabian Salvioli, Chair of the Human Rights Committee mentioned that it is very important for children celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Covenants and to be aware of their rights. Waleed Sadi, Chair of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights said ‘I am impressed by the dedication and resourcefulness of the winners and the quality of the

posters that they submitted’ and that by turning rights into pictures, we can all understand and appreciate the Covenants and their relevance to all.

‘We are very proud of Eiza Abid’s achievement, she succeeded with expressing the concept of freedom through a very positive and inspiring artwork.’ said Vittorio Cammarota, Di-

rector UNIC Pakistan. ‘We will exhibit Eiza’s poster together with those from other 55 Pakistani children and young adults who participated in the competition in April in Islamabad.’

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human rights

interview

Interview of Eiza Abid, winner of the “Celebrating Freedom” poster competition

Eiza Abid is a 16 year old Pakistani girl who won the Global ‘Celebrating Freedom’ Poster Competition. Her entry was sent by UNIC Islamabad as the qualifying submission from Pakistani in the secondary school age category. She is currently doing her Alevels and has a passion for Arts, photography, music and travelling.

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Why did you decide to participate in the competition?

Why did you use this particular form of imagery?

I decided to participate in this competition because it gave me an opportunity to express my ideas and experiment and create a confined yet inspirational and artistic image on the topic ‘Freedom of Thought.’

Along with this being a fascinating and challenging experience, I had not imagined such a great achievement.

I used this particular form of imagery to show that when a person isn’t allowed to think freely, experiment and express them selves, they become dull and confined. Hence, I used dark colors to make the body of the human with his/her visions and imagination trapped inside. I used the head as an explosion to show the hidden state of an imaginary mind with unique ideas and thoughts bursting out, prompting emotions in mixed, bright and lively colors.

What themes does your poster portray? Why did you pick this theme particularly?

My poster portrays an imaginary hidden state of mind of the theme ‘ Freedom of Thought ‘. I picked this theme because I wanted to shed light on how there is a problem of reception, acceptance and appreciation of Art in our society which discourages people from being their true selves and from expressing themselves. I am of the opinion that everyone has a right to what they believe in. Absence of freedom of thought restricts others from their beliefs and prevents them from expressing their views or opinions.

What message did you want to put across in your poster?

Given a choice and an opportunity, one can express freedom of speech and belief simply through an ‘inner light’ which I have voiced through my poster. My painting personified the darkness and confinement in a person’s life and once freed from the judgments of other people, one can freely express their true selves in their true colors. For me, Art is an expression of imagination, emotion and a global view.

news andon events focus

human rights

Pakistani documentary screened at the International Film Festival and Forum in Geneva How do you as a young Pakistani, perceive the issue of freedom of thought in Pakistan?

Be it an ‘inner voice’, an emotion, a belief, or conscience, I deeply believe and respect that one is free to think.

Many people in our society have a vague and uninterested view about art but in my opinion art is a way of communicating, exposing and giving a piece of our selves yet having the constant dilemma to hide ourselves too. If only ones views could be broadened and appreciated amongst us while being encouraged and supportive would make an immense change to society, after all we are the future of Pakistan.

Vittorio Cammarota, Director UNIC Islamabad spoke at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, Geneva 2015 and presented a very powerful documentary focusing on the right to education in Pakistan.

The screening was followed by a lively QandA session with the film’s directors and discussed the current situation in Pakistan, including access to education.

UNIC and the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, Geneva partnered last year on the occasion of Human Rights Day 2015 and organized the first human rights film festival in Pakistan titled ‘Human Rights

through cinematography’. Other partners include the European Union, Goethe Institut, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Af Karachi and the Swiss Confederation. The festival held screenings of movies focused on topics related to human rights in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Faisalabad. The films addressed issues such as migration, women’s rights, corruption, poverty and human trafficking.

All the partners believe that film is an extremely powerful medium that can touch and inspire audiences to make a difference. Human rights films reflect, inform on, provide an understanding of human rights, and portray aspirations to redress violations of these rights.

What is your message for the youth of Pakistan?

No matter how many people deter you from becoming yourself and following your true passion, do not allow them to undermine you in anyway. We should always be grateful, do our best, and believe in ourselves. As quoted by Van Gogh, ‘I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.’

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news and events

industrial development/ economy

Promoting export-led development of employment and growth The Federal Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) organized a two-day Consultative forum with assistance of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to compile recommendations on the ’Export-led development of Employment and Growth’. The forum was conducted under the auspices of the European Union funded ‘Trade Related Technical Assistance’ (TRTA-II) Programme, implemented by UNIDO in association with the International Trade Centre and the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

The Federal Secretary for Industries & Production Mr. Muhammad Arif Azim said that it is very important to discuss the gaps and issues faced within the Dairy, Horticulture, Fisheries and Light Engineering sectors so that necessary steps can be taken to overcome them. European Union Delegation to Pakistan’s representative, Mr Johan Sorensen, highlighted the positive impact on the economy if the issues were effectively resolved. Mr Esam Alqararah, UNIDO representative to Pakistan, shared UNIDO’s vision on Export-led development and the efforts that UNIDO is making to promote employment and growth in Pakistan.

The forum also highlighted the key

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achievements of the TRTA programs since 2004 and as they approaches closure in May 2016, the further steps can be taken to build on the successes. These interventions would be in line with the Government’s Vision 2025 agenda.

SMEDA CEO Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry gave a presentation on SMEDA sector studies, which was followed by overviews on Vision 2025 and TRTA achievements. The speakers were of the unanimous view that export-oriented sectors of the small and medium industries should be provided with the necessary support to fill in the gaps in production and marketing so as compete export market. They recommended applying SMEDA’s SME Development strategy, targeted to generate 10 million new jobs with an addition to ex-

ports worth US$ 36 million within five years. The forum also recommended making the SME sector more competitive through common facilities and training centres.

The key output of this 2-day forum is a concept note, strategic paper on key areas of intervention in specific sectors, that may be used as a template for development of project documents that the government can then use mobilize both national and international funds.

news and events

industrial development/ economy

Trade related technical assistance through the years 2010-2016

The Trade Related Technical Assistance II (TRTA) program, funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO concluded this year. At the closing ceremony, the Minister of Commerce, Mr. Khurram Dastigir Khan acknowledged the contributions made in enhancing trade, improvising conformity assessment and improving competitiveness in selected industrial sectors. It was also mentioned that the program resulted in a substantial increase in export revenues, improved business performance in terms of productivity, quality, provided institutional strengthening support to Government organizations, and helped Pakistan institute key regulations in food safety, quality, competitiveness and trade dispute resolutions.

Through the support of TRTA, Pakistan today has a recognized capacity for trade policy training and advice, a national quality policy, an accreditation body, as well as more than 40 product-testing and metrology laboratories to test product compliance. The NAPHIS Bill for the establishment of a National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority has been approved by the Prime Minister and is ready for submission to the Parliament

for enactment. TRTA also strengthened the IP regime in Pakistan by strengthening the IP Legislative and Policy Framework. Another accomplishment is that after 7 years, Pakistan is again exporting an increasing number of fisheries products to the European Union and other global markets without any rejections.

After six years of implementation, TRTA has made a significant contribution to the development efforts of private sector and public institutions, reducing costs of trade and enhancing consumer protection. At the same time, workers in agro and industrial sectors have access to good practices, skills improvement and thus, have access to better jobs resulting in higher incomes.

UNIDO Representative in Pakistan, Mr. Esam Alqararah highlighted the impressive results that have been achieved in promoting exports from Pakistan to the International markets, in particular fisheries products, mangoes, Kinnow, fans, surgical equipment, protective gloves and boots.

The EU Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Mr Jean Franรงois Cautain highlighted some of the key successes of that TRTA II programme and stated that the Programme had made an impressive contribution to Pakistani companies and institutions.

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industrial development/ economy

Increasing productivity to revive economic growth and support the 2030 Agenda in Asia-Pacific

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) said in its flagship publication Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific 2016 that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will require higher, targeted fiscal spending, enhanced skills, better infrastructure, and improved agricultural productivity.

Launching the Survey in Bangkok, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary emphasized that steady growth in real wages and supporting domestic demand ultimately depends on productivity growth. Noting that the Asia-Pacific region has the means and dynamism to revive economic growth, he acknowledged that: ‘Improving the quality of this growth by making it more inclusive and sustainable will

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be especially demanding.’ The Survey highlights that despite emerging challenges. the region’s economic outlook is broadly stable and forecasts a moderate pickup in economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific to 4.8 per cent in 2016 and 5 per cent in 2017.

The Survey further notes that progress in reducing poverty is slowing and inequalities are rising in much of the region. According to ESCAP, a productivity-driven, wage-led approach would enable countries to increase their aggregate supply and demand, thereby enhancing well-being. The survey points out that several countries in the region are deindustrializing too early in their development, by shifting from agriculture-based economies to ones in which services play a dominant role. With more than half of the region’s population living in rural areas, and four out of ten workers engaged in agriculture, efforts should instead be strengthened to boost agricultural productivity and foster rural industrialization and urban-rural linkages.

Given the Asia-Pacific region’s diversity, the Survey also highlights specific policy issues, such as improving female labour participation in South and South-West Asia, enhancing resilience to natural disasters in the Pacific, dealing with population ageing challenges in East and North-East Asia, economic diversification and

services sector development in North and Central Asia, as well as tax policy and administration reforms in SouthEast Asia.

The Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific 2016 is being launched simultaneously in 24 countries around the Asia-Pacific region.

The year-end update of the Survey will be released in November 2016.

news and events

industrial development/ economy

Providing support to cutlery manufacturers in Wazirabad The inaugural ceremony was held for the provision of cutlery polishing machines to cutlery manufacturers in Wazirabad. This intervention was carried out under the EU funded TRTA II Programme implemented by UNIDO. In his welcome address Mr. Khalid Mughal, Chairman PCSUMEA said the TRTA II program would help in increasing exports for the Cutlery and Knives Sector and praised the high quality artisan abilities in Wazirabad.

A wide range of products including, swords, daggers, knives kitchen ware and kitchen utensils are being manufactured here. The total export of this industry is around 90 US$ Million and it provides employment to more than 25000 personnel.

H.E. Mr. Jean Francois, EU Ambassador to Pakistan, assured future support to Pakistan’s industrial sectors to exploit the full potential of the GSP Plus scheme awarded by the EU. Mr. Esam Alqararah, UNIDO Representative to Pakistan, applauded the contributions made under TRTA II Programme. He said that the benchmarking study revealed that the major impediments of the sector were identified as low levels of productivity, inadequate technology upgradation, poor performance management systems and shortage of skilled staff and labour. The sector is

facing an acute shortage of labour due to the unsafe working conditions and the associated health hazards.

Subsequently, the TRTA II programme selected two cutlery manufacturing units on a cost-sharing basis to upgrade technology in cutlery polishing sections. The beneficiary units have built new production halls or refurbished the existing ones to accommodate installation of polishing machines.

They have complied with the recommendations made by TRTA experts in terms of redesigning layouts to rearrange their equipment and machinery in order to maximize the efficiency and reduction of wastages due to non-value added activities like, travelling, work in process, workers’ sitting positions, etc.

Mr. Abdul Ghaffar Khatak, CEO, NPO Pakistan, congratulated the TRTA II Programme team in bringing about the much needed intervention in the cut-

lery sector at pilot level and highlighted the capacity building exercise carried out for the local institutions under this programme.

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news and events

labour

Paralegal training provided to trade unionists

28 members from different trade unions of Pakistan completed a 14day paralegal training course jointly organized by the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Dr Muhammad Ishaq, Zulfiqar Ahmed and Shehr Bano from the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) conducted different sessions of the training and the regional leadership of PWF Karachi and Baluchistan monitored and gave its feedback. Those present on the occasion included PWF President Ajab Khan, Karachi Region General Secretary Qazi Tanveer Ahmed and Central Finance Secretary Ejaz ul Haq Siddiqui.

The audience was informed that the variety and complexity of labour laws

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in Pakistan have contributed adversely to the industrial relations system in the country. It was also shared that the trade unions and workers at the factory level face a lot of litigation and have to take recourse to immediate judicial relief which is not forthcoming. Another reason for this delay in getting justice is that trade unions do not have the financial means to hire lawyers to represent them.

Mr Razi Mujtaba Haider from ILO’s ‘Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE)’ project, mentioned that the workshop aimed to develop the capacity of the second line emerging leadership of trade unions to help them contest the cases themselves without hiring expensive legal services. The PWF realized that

there must be an alternative cost effective mechanism at the disposal of the workers to provide them with legal relief. The federation ultimately reached a conclusion that the trade union members should trained and provided with basic education to enable them to represent their fellow workers in the courts and thus enable them to have access to justice.

Instead of hiring trainers from the market, the PWF utilized the newly trained young trainers who had been trained by the PWF supported by the GE4DE Project. One new emerging male trainer and one new emerging female trainer conducted each of these four trainings. A senior trainer would also be present at the venue to provide pre and post session feedback and guidelines to these trainers.

news and events

labour

Occupational Safety and Health Day 2016 The 2016 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) day focuses on the negative effects of stress on the health and wellbeing of workers worldwide.

Target 8 of Goal 8 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for ‘safe and secure working environments for all workers’. Safe and secure work places not only include the protection of workers’ physical safety but also their mental and psychological wellbeing.

Work-related stress affects workers in all professions in developed and developing countries alike. It can gravely harm not only workers’ health but also, the wellbeing of their families.

Globalization and technological change have transformed work and employment patterns in ways that sometimes contribute to work-related stress. High unemployment levels, particularly in the absence of adequate social protection measures can also have undesirable consequences for the mental health of workers.

Enterprises are not spared and they face the consequences of work-related stress on their overall performance with increased absenteeism, staff turnover and difficult labour relations.

More data and analysis is needed to fully quantify the financial costs of workplace stress but it is already clear that

the burden is considerable. A recent study cited in the ILO report,Workplace stress: a collective challenge indicates that more than 40 million people are affected by work-related stress within the EU and that the estimated cost of work-related depression is €617 billion a year.

In recent years there have been welcome developments in understanding the issue. Awareness has increased and in most countries, policymakers, social partners and professional networks are becoming more involved in the design of legislation, policy, strategies and tools for the assessment and management of work-related stress.

It is clear that the protection of workers’ mental health must focus on preventive strategies. Assessing and managing psychosocial risks at their origin will help craft the collective and individual measures needed to improve the quality of working life for women and men.

The ILO is committed to working with governments, workers, employers and organizations around the globe to design and implement effective national, regional and enterprise level policies to prevent and minimise work-related stress.

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labour

interview

Workplace stress is a collective challenge and we need to do something about it We often hear we live increasingly stressful working lives but what does recent experience tell us?

As the world marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Valentina Forastieri Senior Specialist, Occupational Health, Health Promotion and Well-being for the ILO, outlines the findings of the latest research on the impact of stress in the workplace.

The relationship between workplace stress and poor mental health is well established. In our recent publication, Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge, the ILO’s Safety and Health at Work team surveyed the most recent studies on workplace stress from around the world including Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, Australia and Europe. We found that work related stress costs global society untold billions in direct and indirect costs annually.

Additionally, there is the human price paid in misery, suffering and even, according to some of the reports we looked at, in suicide.

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Well, let’s begin with globalization.

Global competitive processes have transformed work organization, working relations and employment patterns, contributing to the increase of work-related stress and its associated disorders. With the pace of work dictated by instant communications and high levels of global competition, the lines separating work from life are becoming more and more difficult to identify.

An appropriate balance between work and private life is difficult to achieve.

And the phenomenon is indeed global in its impact.

For instance, we note a study from Japan that found 32.4 per cent of workers reported suffering from strong anxiety, worry and stress from work in the previous year. In Chile, 2011 data shows 27.9 per cent of workers and 13.8 per cent of employers reported that stress and depression were present in their enterprises. Similar figures were found in practically every country we considered for this report.

And then, there is the hangover from the recent global economic crisis and recession that forced many enterprises to scale down their economic activity in order to remain competitive. This includes an increase in restructuring, downsizing, merging, outsourcing and subcontracting, precarious work and a higher likelihood of massive layoffs of workers, unemployment, poverty and social exclusion.

These working practices are a source of what is known in the field as ‘psychosocial hazards’. Within the workplace they contributed to increased competition, higher expectations as regards performance, fast-paced and intensive work, irregular and longer working hours, higher job demands and job insecurity and a lack of control over the content and organization of work and reduced work opportunities. Add to that the fear of losing their jobs, reduced motivation of staff, decreased satisfaction and creativity, and decreased financial stability and you end up with serious consequences for workers’ mental health and wellbeing, with a significant financial bottom line.

These related direct and indirect costs are only beginning to be quantified. Still, some developed countries assess the economic

news and events

impact of work-related stress, associated behavioural patterns and mental health disorders. For example, in Europe the estimated cost of work-related depression is €617 billion a year, which includes the costs to employers of absenteeism and presenteeism (€272 billion), loss of productivity (€242 billion), healthcare costs (€63 billion) and social welfare costs in the form of disability benefit payments (€39 billion).

What measures can we take to reduce the toll of workplace stress on our societies and businesses?

Here are five ideas that we believe can have a profound impact: Continued focus: awareness of these issues is growing. In most countries, policymakers and social partners have become involved in concrete interventions to tackle psychosocial hazards, which are the causes of work-related stress.

Social partners have been active, awareness-raising campaigns have proliferated and many research networks and professional associations have become involved.

Prevention: the protection of mental health at work has more impact if it focuses on preventive strategies. It is essential to handle the

causes and the consequences of work-related stress with a combination of both collective and individual measures.

Inclusion: greater opportunities for participating in decision-making are associated with greater satisfaction and a higher feeling of self-esteem. In the long-term, even small amounts of autonomy in the execution of tasks are beneficial for the mental health and productivity of workers. Participation in decision-making in the workplace moderates the effects of psychosocial hazards such as job demands and leads to reduced psychological strain.

Management: a comprehensive OSH management system would ensure improved preventive practices and incorporation of health promotion measures. This should include psychosocial risks in risk assessment and management measures with a view to effectively managing their impact in the same way as with other OSH risks in the workplace. Workers’ participation in this process is crucial.

Organizational Culture: ILO experience shows the importance of the social environment in shaping work behaviours and valuing them; human resource policies play a role in ensuring working relationships based on trust, authenticity and partnership.

labour

Today workers all over the world are facing significant changes in work organization and labour relations; they are under greater pressure to meet the demands of modern working life. For our health, our wellbeing and our livelihoods we must continue work collectively to reduce the impact of stress in the workplace.

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labour

Workshop on “Gender Mainstreaming”

The National Business Education Accreditation Council – Higher Education Commission (NBEAC-HEC) and ILO jointly collaborated and successfully conducted the second Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in the disciplines of Media Studies and Business Management. It was held at the Lecture Hall, Higher Education Commission on 21 April, 2016.

Mr. Ahtesham Ali Raja, Program Director NBEAC recited some verses of The Holy Quran, gave the opening speech and welcomed all the guests. He invited Dr. Sania Nishtar, Foundation and President, Heartfile as the Chief Guest and Ms. Naima Ansari, Former Vice President FRCCI and IWCCI as the Guest of Honor to share their success stories with the audience.

Mr. Razi Haider, Program Coordinator, ILO explained and enlightened the guests regarding the role ILO is playing towards gender mainstreaming. Mr. Mobashar Sadik, Lead Consultant, Pangea Growth Pvt Limited explained the best practices in gender mainstreaming

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adopted by business studies. Mr. Zaigham Khan, Executive Director, Civic Action Resources explained how media studies is helping and contributing towards gender mainstreaming.

Participants gave valuable suggestions about the way forward for Gender Mainstreaming in Business Education and Media Studies. It was a very successful and thought provoking workshop with over 40 guests attending from different institutions around the country. despair, and bleakness.

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migrants

Pakistan’s first ever Migrant Resource Centre inaugurated in Islamabad

Recognizing the need to combat the abuse of migrants, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) established the Migrant Resource Center (MRC) in Islamabad in 2015 with the support from the ILO-EU funded ‘South Asia Labour Migration Governance Project’ (SALM) and the ICMPD-EU funded project ‘Silk Routes Partnership for Migration’. While MRCs already exists in other labour sending countries in South Asia, the center in Islamabad was the first ever to be established in Pakistan. The MRC provides a range of support services to (potential) migrants, migrant workers, and their families including information, counseling, referral and pre-departure orientation.

In his presentation,Mr. Manzoor Ahamd Kayani, Joint Secretary Emigration (MoOP&HRD) emphasised that ‘the main purpose of the MRC is to provide accurate and timely information on safe and legal migration, referral and counselling, as well as raising awareness on irregular migration and the related serious risks’. Ms. Sedef Dearing, Senior Regional Advisor, Silk

Routes, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) mentioned in her speech that providing correct information to the right people is crucial when smugglers attempt to fill in the deficit of information.

Mr H.E. Jean-François Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan said that ‘while migration can benefit societies in many ways, it can also pose problems, in particular if it takes place illegally. Illegal migration is not only a problem for the recipient country but also pose a serious threats to migrants themselves, therefore we look forward an effective partnership with the government of Pakistan to combat this menace.’ H. E. István Szabó, Ambassador of Hungary to Pakistan said that people often migrate for employment and study so they can support their families but unfortuatenly, the well-organized human smugglers and traffickers group take advantage of this, and trap them.

Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director, ILO congratulated the OPHRD for the successful establishment of the MRC and highlighted that the ILO is the only UN agency with a constitutional mandate to protect migrant workers. She urged the government of Pakistan to consider the ratification of international

standards relating to labour migration, including the two ILO Conventions Nos. 97 and 143.

In his closing remarks, the Secretary of OPHRD Mr Khizer Hayat Khan stated that ‘the objective of the Government of Pakistan is not only to increase the number of people going abroad for employment but also ensure their welfare and protection’. He thanked the EU, ILO and ICMPD for their support to set up this first ever MRC. He together with the speakers of the event unveiled the inaugural plaque of the MRC.

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refugees and displaced persons

Rehabilitating FATA and assisting returnees The Government of Japan has been supporting the sustainable return of Temporally Displaced Persons (TDPs) and FATA rehabilitation and has announced a contribution of US$16 million in total to UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WFP to support Returnees in FATA and Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Japanese Embassy in Pakistan, Mr. Junya Matsuura, and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Neil Buhne, made the announcement at the WFP office in Islamabad.

UNDP will help increase the local governance capacity to manage the recovery process by providing direct assistance to the affected people in the return areas of FATA, creating livelihood opportunities through vocational and business management trainings, undertaking small scale ‘cash for work’ activities to help rehabilitate community infrastructure and improve access to basic services and offering technical support to returning communities to ensure safe rehabilitation practices.

Pakistan has been the home to millions of Afghans for over 35 years.

More than 3.9 million Afghan refugees have returned since 2002.

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Some 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees still live in Pakistan. UNHCR will provide protection assistance and support the returnees to FATA, education, livelihoods and vocational training opportunities for Afghan refugee youth, protection and legal assistance interventions and health programmes.

The UNICEF interventions aim to provide an improved and equitable delivery of multi-sectoral interventions to support the needs of returning population with a special focus on women and children. The assistance will ensure that there is reliable access to safe drinking water and sanitation, knowledge of appropriate hygiene behavior, enrolment and retention of out of school children, and that the nutritional status of girls, boys and women (pregnant and nursing) is protected from the effects of humanitarian crises.

WFP will assist FATA returnees during the initial stage of resettlement to enable a rapid start of livelihoods and nutrition activities for sustain-

able food security and to avoid nutrition deterioration. It will also support children’s access to education, especially of girls, which will contribute to an increase in literacy rates in FATA. The assistance will further contribute to the re-establishment of communities thus creating social stability, a prerequisite for lasting peace in the region.

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refugees and misplaced person

Essential infrastructure provided for the crisis affected people of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In 2008–2009, Swat district, Malakand division, was badly affected by security threats which lead to mass population displacement and the situation was further aggravated by the 2010 floods.

Consequently, basic infrastructure was damaged, livelihoods severely affected, and communities were deprived of access to services.

The first phase of the Community Infrastructure Restoration and Rehabilitation project to improve community resilience in crisis-affected areas of Malakand division was celebrated by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the opening of the Dop Jabba Link Road in Swat district. Over 800,000 people in Malakand have benefitted from access to essential services and improved agriculture following the rehabilitation of 639 infrastructure schemes by UNDP, with an investment of US$ 6.7 million from SFD. This phase involved working with local communities and provincial government to rehabilitate link roads, street pavements, irrigation and drainage channels, small bridges, and culverts. These have enabled communities to easily access essential services and rebuild livelihoods through better irrigation for agriculture

and improved access to markets. In view of this success, the partners announced the second phase of the project, with an investment of US$ 5 million from SFD, to rehabilitate 192 additional schemes.

The project involved local communities in the oversight of the rehabilitation process, ensuring that it met local requirements. The leadership of the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was instrumental in designing and monitoring the project. Marc-AndrĂŠ Franche, Country Director UNDP Pakistan mentioned that together with the SFD, UNDP has helped re-connect the crisis-affected communities of Swat. Community infrastructure has been considerably restored and rehabilitated in Swat in collaboration with the local communities.

Abdullah Mohammad Al-Shoaibi, Chief Engineer and leader of the SFD delegation stated that they will continue this community infrastructure restoration initiative. He said they aim to address the needs of vulnerable people by connecting them with more social and economic opportunities for sustainable development and prosperity. He highlighted that the 9,270 feet long Dop Jaba Link Road in village Manai that will provide more than 11,000 people with an easy access to schools, hospitals, and markets in Kabal, Mingora and other areas of Swat.

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refugees and displaced persons

Improvement and extension of the Balochistan Institute of Nephro-Urology Quetta

Balochistan’s Provincial Ministry of Health and UNHCR marked the groundbreaking ceremony for the improvement and extension of the existing Balochistan Institute of Nephro-Urology Quetta (BINUQ).

The project is part of the United Nations’ Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative and will be carried out jointly by the provincial health department, BINUQ management and UNHCR through the Society of Collective Interests Orientation Pakistan (SOCIO Pak). RAHA is a multi-year joint initiative launched in 2009 between the Government of Pakistan, represented by the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Statistics, a consortium of UN agencies, a number of Government organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Since its inception, more than 10 million people including Afghan refugees and Pakistani citizens have benefited RAHA projects.

The existing BINUQ is the only facility in the province that treats 60 cases of patients suffering from re-

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nal diseases on a daily basis. Access of patients is limited due to inadequate infrastructure and dearth of modern equipment especially dialysis units. With the construction of a new dialysis unit under the project, on average 45 additional patents who require haemodialysis will be treated free of cost which is currently very expensive. Other changes include the construction of a ramp, installation of an elevator, centralized oxygen system, centralized suction system and the provision of 15 modern beds. The project’s soft component focuses on the formation of a youth management committee, establishment of 3 blood camps and the training to eligible candidates for dispensers.

The Provincial Minster of Health, Rehmat Saleh Baloch appreciat-

ed the efforts of UNHCR and said that Pakistan takes great pride in hosting the world largest protracted refugee situation despite its own challenges. He added that refugees are a collective responsibility of all stakeholders and thus the International community should continue to support Pakistan in assisting refugees until they are able to return to Afghanistan. Dinesh Shrestha, head of UNHCR in Quetta noted that the upgrading of BINUQ is among the high-impact projects UNHCR is undertaking to enable host populations to have access to essential services like health.

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sports for development

Celebrating sport for development and peace

UNIC Islamabad, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Pakistan Olympic Association and NUST joined hands to celebrate the International Day of Sports for Peace & Development on 6 April.

The ceremony, which was part of a series of events held across different cities, aimed to empower Pakistani youth through education and sports and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to healthy lifestyles, peace, tolerance and partnership.

The celebration opened with a friendly badminton match and was followed by a panel discussion on sport for development and peace with a focus on gender equality and people living with disabilities. Panellists included Shamsa Hashmi, Head of Women’s Cricket at Pakistan Cricket Board and Additional Director Sports at the University of Punjab, Sana Mahmood, captain of the Pakistan National Women’s Basketball Team and former captain of the Pakistan National Women’s Football Team, Suleman Arshad, a visually impaired athlete who estab-

lished the first para-climbing club of Pakistan and Fisa Hussain, Director General Sports at the Higher Education Commission.

Vittorio Cammarota, Director UNIC, moderated the discussion and stated that sport is a powerful tool for driving change in societies and an effective platform for bringing forward the SDGs. He encouraged all young people to use sports as a platform for promoting peace, dignity and equal rights for all human beings.

Sana Mahmood highlighted the crucial role of sport in creating a third space for women and girls outside of the home and school, therefore providing an extended platform for self-discovery, community engage-

ment and an entry into the public sphere. Suleman Arshad added that sport can contribute to establishing peace between conflicting nations as well as empower people with disabilities.

The debate was followed by an award ceremony presented by Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asghar, Rector NUST and General Arif Hasan, Chairman Pakistan Olympic Association, who said that sports helps young people understand key core values and life lessons in a healthy environment and that it can be used for the promotion of human values, and addressing issues of health, education, social inclusion and inequality.

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sports for labour development

interview

Q&A with Suleman Arshad, founder of the Pakistan Para Climbing Club

Suleman Arshad is a partially blind young Pakistani Climber and the founder of the Pakistan Para Climbing Club. He recently participated in the International Day for Sports for Development and Peace Celebration hosted by UNIC and HEC Sports board at NUST. In this interviewm he talks about his experience at Young Leadership Camp in Japan and the importance of inclusive sports.

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Tell us about your experience at the YLC in Japan?

Why have you picked climbing as a physical activity?

I attended Young Leadership Camp (YLC) arranged by United Nation Originations Sports for Development and Peace (UNOSDP). My experience of that camp was great, there were 30 participants from 9 countries, all belonging to different religions and cultures but the common thing was humanity and love for each other. Before this camp I had reservations about Indians but after my experience from that camp is that Indians are the same as us.

This camp was about sports for development and how sports can bring peace. I saw many things in that camp which I had never seen in Pakistan. As I am visually challenged, in my country there are only a few types of sports for Persons with disabilities (PWDs) but in Japan I saw that they play blind football, blind table tennis and a lot of different kinds of sports. I learned a very beautiful concept; SMILES, s for safety, m for maximum participation, I for involve every one, l for learn, e for enjoy and through all that you can achieve success.

From the beginning, I wanted to do something different from everyone in my country. People usually don’t consider climbing activities appropriate for PWDs. That is why my interest in adventure activities grew.

Keeping this fact in mind I established a club: Pakistan Para Climbing Club for PWDs. I believe that a blind person can do anything, when there is a will there is a way.

What steps are you taking towards making sports more inclusive in Pakistan?

After this camp I realized the importance for inclusive sports in Pakistan. Now I am trying to connect with sports organizations in Pakistan to plan for arranging sports events which will involve everyone in these activities especially the PWDs. So far this attempt to engage with theses organization is going fine. But it could be better.

Plus I am also using my own platform i.e. my club for encouraging inclusive sports.

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sports for development

Q&A with Sana Mahmud, Captain of the Pakistan National Women’s Basketball Team What motivated you to go into sports?

What are the key challenges you are facing in this Endeavour?

The first challenge is the lack of overall acceptance; it is a common belief that PWDs cannot play sports therefore the overall environment is not conducive to inclusive sports. The second is that the general population is not aware that sports can be inclusive.

What are the steps institutions can take to make spaces more accessible?

When Sports Institutions (e.g.

HEC and Sport Board), schools and colleges conduct sport events they should pay special attention in involving PWDs. At every level children with disabilities must be encouraged to take part in sports.

What is your message for the youth of Pakistan?

My message for youth is please know the importance of sports.

Sports is the most easy and inexpensive tool for the development of our country.

Sana Mahmud is the Captain of the Pakistan National Women’s Basketball Team and recently led the team to the South Asian Games in India in February 2016. She is also the former Captain of the Pakistan National Women’s Football Team having led the team to their first international victory at the 1st SAFF Women Football Championship in Bangladesh in 2010. Sana was also selected to participate in the Sports Envoy Program in 2009, for a two-week exchange program to Washington D.C, U.S.A, to explore the various aspects of how sport is practiced in the American community. Sana is a Fulbright Alumna and returned to Pakistan in 2015 with a degree in International Development Studies and a certificate in Women’s and Gender studies. Currently she works at Muslim Aid Pakistan on a UNFPA project on sexual and reproductive health. Most of her voluntary and research work involves working with the youth and women to unleash the power of sport for development and peace.

I think I have always been an outdoorsy kind of person- very athletic and full of energy. I don’t think I could ever imagine doing anything else but sports! Plus, it helped that my school really encouraged sports; I remember being the Captain of the House, and actively participating in annual sports days etc. As I grew older and realized I not only enjoyed it, but I wasn’t half bad, I decided to take it further. I don’t think it was ever a conscious decision - eventually it became such a big part of my life that continuing it became the motivation itself. Now I am motivated to continue as I see my team and all the other young talent that is coming up. It means we changed the sport landscape in some way, paving ways for others.

I’ll keep playing till I can.

You are the current captain of the Pakistan Women’s Basketball team and former captain of the Pakistan football team. Why did you pick two sports?

I always enjoyed playing both basketball and football (As a kid you play anything you can get your hands on, but table tennis, badminton or cricket never left a last-

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ing impression on me) Football and basketball just stuck.

Basketball has always been my first love. It’s just that the opportunities for it on the national level never existed. So coincidentally I got a chance to pursue football at the national level first. And then I stayed with it. The minute I saw a chance in basketball, I tried out and whatDoYouKnow - I made it!

It may also be helpful for you to know that in Pakistan, sports function very differently. If you are part of a National Team, odds are (unless you play cricket) you will not be playing all year round and will only be called when there is an international tournament that your federation decides they want to participate in. Due to this reason, the athlete is not playing all year round, and then most girls will end up playing two sports so that they can do one while the other isn’t happening - if you get what I mean.

In what ways is sports being used to promote development in Pakistan?

To be honest, sport is not really being used to its full potential as it could be. Some individual and scattered efforts exist but I think they need to be more institutionalized so they really make a difference.

For instance, we have Right to Play - an international NGO working in Pakistan , using the power of sport and play for child development; we have a Sport Development Foundation in Islamabad that does ad hoc projects from time to time; I know of Karachi United (the football club)

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sports for labour development

who do outreach projects with children in Layya; and then I know a bunch of people who in their own varying capacities either work with Special Children, or the youth, using sport as an extra curricular activity or means of education. However, I think much more could be done in this regard.

What are the key challenges towards increasing participation of women in sports?

Access to Safe Spaces! I can not stress on this enough. There are not enough public, easily accessible and free for all spaces in Pakistan-even in Islamabad - the capital city! Where we do have space - is our schools. We should really utilize that. We have space in schools, but no girls using them. There is a major disconnect.

How can these challenges be overcome?

We need things to move concurrently. Sport to become a part of our educational curriculum, so that girls who have never stepped foot on their school’s sport facilities are required to try it out. Some will like it, some won’t - but unless they try it , they will never know.Unless they realize that this cricket pitch or basketball court is not JUST for the boys, they will never what they are capable of.

What is your message for the youth of Pakistan?

interview

The youth of Pakistan.... hmmm.....

Don’t waste your life...find something you are crazy about, and stick to it, that will be the thing that helps you when other things seem bleak- find a passion (whether its your work or otherwise). Your passions, and the things you love will stay with you forever, so make sure you chase the right things in life- because it will be worth it. Those are the things that will help you sleep well at night. Everything else will come. It all works out.

Work hard and have fun - its a simple formula.

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sports for development

Football: changing young women’s lives in Pakistan On 10 April, UN Women teamed up with Serena Hotels and hosted a football match day in which young women and girls from Pakistan’s National Football Team, Rawalpindi’s Young Rising Stars (YRS), and Ambassadors, Diplomats and UN dignitaries participated in the friendly matches.

The International Day of Sports for Development and Peace was celebrated under the banner of the Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative and UN Women’s ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’ campaign and the matches were played at the Total football facility, the only FIFA certified football pitch in Islamabad.

An exhibition match between the Pakistan National Team and YRS kicked off the event, showcasing the dedication, skills and passion that exist within female football in Pakistan. The match was followed by a football tournament with 16 minutes matches between four mixed teams of players from the national team, YRS, Ambassadors, Diplomats and UN dignitaries.

Team HeForShe and Team Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) qualified for the final. The nail-biting final match saw team HeForShe emerge victorious.

Mr. Jamshed Kazi, Country Representativem UN Women Pakistan, who successfully scored one of the crucial penalty kicks for the winning team mentioned the lack of safe public spaces as a key challenge for women and girls who wish to participate in sports. He stated: ‘UN Women aims to create greater awareness and implementation of legislation and adoption of practices that ensure that women’s rights to safe spaces are safeguarded.

Sport helps breaks down gender stereotypes of girls as being weak and physically inactive and investing in enabling opportunities for women and girls to participate in sports is investing in a healthier, equitable and more productive and

harmonious nation.’

Mr Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels closed the games and tournaments and said that Serena is proud to collaborate with UN Women to raise awareness about inclusion in sports and celebrate development and peace through sports. The event gave the uplifting message that football is no longer a male-dominate sport and that sport is a powerful tool for developing confidence, team spirit, skills and leadership, and for spreading messages of peace and driving social change.

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water and sanitation

Climate change and lack of sanitation threaten water safety for millions

On the eve of World Water Day, UNICEF said the effort to bring safe water to millions around the world is going to be even more challenging due to climate change. Data from newly available testing technology show that an estimated 1.8 billion people may still be drinking water contaminated by e-coli, meaning there is faecal material in their water, even from some improved sources.

‘Now that we can test water more cheaply and efficiently than we were able to do when the MDGs were set, we are coming to terms with the magnitude of the challenge facing the world when it comes to clean water,’ said Sanjay Wijeserkera, head of UNICEF’s Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programmes. ‘With the new Sustainable Development Goals calling for ‘safe’ water for everyone, we’re not starting from where the MDGs left off, it is a whole new ball game.’

When water becomes scarce during droughts, populations resort to unsafe surface water. At the other end of the scale, floods damage

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water and sewage treatment facilities, and spread faeces around, very often leading to an increase in water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. Higher temperatures brought on by climate change are also set to increase the incidence of water-linked diseases like malaria, dengue – and now Zika – as mosquito populations rise and their geographic reach expands.

Starting on World Water Day and ending with the signing of the Paris Agreement on 22 April, UNICEF is launching a global Instagram cam-

paign to raise awareness of the link between water, the environment, and climate change. Using the #ClimateChain hashtag, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft, UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres, and other prominent figures will figuratively join hands with members of the public in a chain of photographs intended to urge action to address climate change. The images will be presented at the signing of the Paris Agreement.

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water and sanitation

‘Water for Pakistan’ football tournament held on World Water Day 2016 UN-Habitat and UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Girls Sports Society, organised a football tournament in Karachi as part of their awareness campaign for better water, better jobs in celebration of the World Water Day 2016 and its theme ‘Water and Jobs’.

The tournament was an excellent platform to motivate the young footballers from IBA, NUST, IoBM, and Sir Syed University. NUST and Sir Syed University reached the finals where Sir Syed University emerged victorious. A formal dinner for the finalists was arranged where the importance of World Water Day was discussed and the finalists were urged to take measures in their personal capacity and as an institution. Meanwhile, a selfie contest was initiated for the wider audience to give social media coverage to the cause. Surveys were also conducted before and after the matches to gauge the willingness of the young people to pay for safe drinking water and various speeches were delivered to disseminate the World Water Day messages.

A representative from UN-Habitat stated that the provisions of safe drinking water Sustainable Devel-

opment Goal 6 and is a core part of UN-Habitat’s mandate. UN-Habitat Pakistan has implemented various projects for water, sanitation, and hygiene and continues to spend time, effort, and resources to spread awareness and bring a positive change in the lives of the Pakistani people.

Ms. Faiza Shafqat, Manager IBA Girls Sports Society, stressed the importance of the youth of Pakistan as catalysts in the awareness movement regarding safe drinking water. ‘I can already think of ways in which we can contribute to the water industry and improve conditions for people whose lives depend on it, the youth has the power to not

just trigger change, but ensure its effective delivery’ she concluded.

World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues. Water for Pakistan Football Tournament was a platform to engage youth to serve as facilitators in spreading awareness about the importance of safe drinking water and willingness to pay for it.

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water and sanitation

Seminar to commemorate World Water Day 2016

The Sindh Agriculture University and ILO organized a seminar to commemorate World Water Day with the theme ‘Better Water, Better Jobs’. Dr Mujeed ud Din Memon Sehraj, Vice Chancellor of the University stated that students would conduct research to find out how water bound disasters and the mismanagement of water resources was affecting human resources in rural Sindh, which would support the provincial government in understanding the problems.

The seminar was attended by more than 250 people including water sector researchers, experts, think tanks, deans of various faculties, civil society activists, media personnel, students and the rural communities of Sindh.

ILO Project Coordinator, Abid Niaz Khan explained the horrendous joblessness created in the Sindh province due to water-related problems such as over exploitation and mismanagement of mangroves and wetlands, water logging and salinity and a lack of clean drinking water. He mentioned the One-UN Livelihood Restoration Project that responded to the 2010 floods and was implemented jointly by the ILO, FAO and

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UN Women. The project improved the irrigation efficiency, bettered the drainage system, created short-term employment for the poorest communities and sustainably improved their income levels through increasing their agriculture and livestock productivity.

Mr. Irshad Ahmed Bohyio, General Manager, WAPDA South (Water & Power Development Authority) mentioned that although Pakistan remains a water surplus country, mismanagement of water resources has resulted in the country’s in the list of water scarce countries. Mr Nazeer Essani, General Manager, SIDA (Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority) admitted that inefficiencies in the irrigation system as well as the poor

drainage of saline water are resulting in the increased water logging and salinity, thus reducing the on-farm employment opportunities for the farming communities.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted that Sindh was the most severely affected province of the 2010 floods with close to 970,000 households suffering agricultural losses estimated at USD 2,301.6 million. He pledged his university’s support in incorporating recommendations, drawn on the basis of the known challenges that Sindh facing regarding water, into the agriculture policy, which is currently being drafted.

news and events

water and sanitation

UN-Habitat plays catalytic role in improving access to urban basic services

UN-Habitat’s programme in Pakistan prioritizes the expansion of equitable access to Urban Basic Services, especially for the poor through policy and technical support to the Government of Pakistan and by strengthening policies and institutional frameworks. Heavy flooding in 2012 devastated the Jacobabad District causing widespread displacement, disrupting the education system, increasing expenditures in healthcare and damaging drainage systems. In response, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided a USD35 million grant to UNICEF to support the Government of Sindh through their Municipal Services Development Program (MSDP) for the development and upgrading of municipal infrastructure in Jacobabad town. UNICEF selected UN-Habitat as the leading implementing partner for the project. In

addition to providing badly needed WASH facilities, UN-Habitat and its implementing partners also undertook rehabilitation of existing facilities.

‘Before this project was implemented, we never had a platform for community mobilization to improve our Muhalla, but with the guidance and support of UN-habitat and its partners, today the Muhalla is neat and clean’ said Abdullah Magsi, leader of the Darkhan Muhalla. He diligently ensures that members of his community are aware of the challenges facing them, such as environmental pollution and poor disposal of liquid and solid waste, and that they are motivated to participate actively in finding solutions.

UN-Habitat received acclaim from the donor, provincial authorities, and programme beneficiaries for the successful implementation of its ‘Community Mobilization for Improved

WASH Services and Hygiene Behaviour in Jacobabad City’. In addition to its initiatives at the grassroots level, the UN-Habitat programme in Pakistan has been a catalyst in the integration of policies and practices aimed at improving access to basic urban services into federal policy and practice. In the context of climate change, UN-Habitat has developed Pakistan’s first Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) in Sector G-15 in Islamabad with funding support from UN-ESCAP and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC). The IRRC converts 3 tons of municipal solid waste from surrounding local communities and vegetable markets into compost and biogas each day, through composting, recycling, and bio-digestion while simultaneously creating employment opportunities..

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water and sanitation

Proper maintenance of sanitation and hygiene needed among Jacobabad residents

A new survey has revealed that Jacobabad residents are willing to pay for safe drinking water but not sanitation and hygiene services despite being aware of associated health risks.

Conducted by UN-Habitat, with funding from USAID through UNICEF, the ‘Willingness to Pay for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services’ study was launched at a ceremony in Karachi today.

The survey sought to determine the factors that influence people’s willingness to pay more for improved WASH services and aims to support the Government of Sindh in taking necessary steps to ensure the effective running of the Municipal Service Development Programme (MSDP) by taking public’s opinion into account in devising necessary actions. ‘Any public service delivery system cannot be successful in isolation, unless the people who are to benefit from such a system are aligned with its objectives, and feel part of the entire process. ‘ said Jannat Durrani, WASH Officer, UN-Habitat.

Sindh mentioned that in some municipalities, the facilities for water supply, sewerage and solid waste management are dysfunctional and require major remedial interventions.

He believes that such complexities are better solved through strategic partnerships and thus, thanked USAID, UNICEF and UN-Habitat for continuing to support the program for improved municipal services. He was confident that with the help of the findings and recommendations of the survey, the concerns of the masses will be alleviated by setting up an effective and modern WASH services structure. Khalid Hyder Shah, Program Director, MSDP agreed that the findings of this survey are critical to designing an effective and sustainable municipal services delivery mechanism.

Muhammad Waseem, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of

Dr. Nargiza Khodjaeva, Chief of the Sindh Field Office, UNICEF men-

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tioned that the 2030 agenda for sustainable development talks about universal access to WASH services and that target 6.1 in particular, mentions universal, equitable, safe and affordable access to drinking water.

She said that the focus is not only on the provision of improved water but also on accessibility and availability and that ensuring safety concerns will also enhance the willingness to pay levels.

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news and events

gender equality nations and women’s empowerment

Who should lead the United Nations?

This year, the United Nations will choose its next Secretary-General.

We need the best possible candidate for the job.

It is often spoken of as the most impossible job in the world.

And given the files that the next United Nations Secretary-General will take over on 1 January 2017, it is easy to see why: appalling conflicts and human suffering in parts of the Middle East, Africa and Europe; violent extremism that is threatening us all; continued discrimination against women and girls; a worrying rise in xenophobia; over 800 million people struggling to escape extreme poverty; close to

60 million displaced around the world; a unique window-of-opportunity to address Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals before it is too late; and an Organization that needs to adapt to the challenges and new Goals the world is facing.

In its 70 year history, the UN, for all its flaws, has demonstrated that it can rise to such challenges. But to do so today, it must secure the best possible candidate through this year’s process of selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General.

The role of the UN SecretaryGeneral.

Many have suggested that the UN’s most senior official should either be a Secretary or a General. This is too simplistic, for the Secretary-General must be both and more.

A person with strong moral courage and integrity; he or she – and I do not see why the best candidate should not be a woman – must be a voice for the world’s most vulnerable people and embody the very ideals and purposes of the United Nations.

The world’s top diplomat; the Secretary-General must use her independence, impartiality and good offices to prevent conflict, broker peace and stand-up for human rights.

A person with political stature and

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strong leadership skills – with the authority to bring to the attention of the UN Security Council any matter which in her opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.

As the chief administrative officer of the UN, the Secretary-General must create a culture of integrity, fairness, competence and efficiency right across the UN family and oversee a huge Organization with a budget of approximately $10 billion, a staff of over 40,000 and 41 peace operations worldwide.

The Secretary-General must be a person with strong inter-personal and communication skills – able to navigate smoothly in our increasingly multi-polar world and drive a global transition to sustainable development.

An archaic selection process.

One might think, therefore, that the process for choosing the Secretary-General would be as vigorous, inclusive and transparent as possible.

But to date this has not been the case.

Previously, there has been no clarity on when the selection process actually started or, somewhat unbelievably, who was actually running for the job.

Also, there has been no formal job description and no real opportunity for substantive and open engagement with the candidates – neither for the full UN membership nor the public.

The result: Recommendations negotiated behind closed doors – primarily by the five permanent members of the Security Council; eight Secretaries-General, not one of whom has been female; and a mostly symbolic appointment by the UN General Assembly. Therefore, Secretaries-General have, not always rightfully, been

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perceived to be beholden to the very powers that they must be most independent of.

A better way to choose the next SG. The UN Charter is clear on the respective roles of the Security Council and the General Assembly in the selection and appointment process and it must be adhered to.

But recent changes to the process itself, agreed to by all 193 members of the General Assembly, provide us with a genuine opportunity to make it more transparent, more robust, more inclusive and ultimately, more effective.

As President of that Assembly, it is my job to ensure that those changes are implemented.

So here’s what’s happening.

Last December, the President of the Security Council and I set the selection process in motion by issuing a call for candidates to be presented as early as possible.

We outlined the central features of the process. We pointed out some of the key criteria for the position and, in light of seven decades of male dominance, we encouraged member states to present both female and male candidates.

To date, seven candidates have been presented and their biographies and related information are now publicly available on my website.

But perhaps the greatest opportunity to truly break from the past comes in the form of open dialogues that I will hold with the candidates. These dialogues – referred to by some as the ‘SG hearings’ – will begin on April 12.

Each candidate is expected to prepare a vision statement on the challenges and opportunities facing the UN and

the next Secretary-General. They will present themselves for two-hours of questions from the full UN membership as well as from civil society and each dialogue will be streamed live online.

The dialogues will continue with new candidates until the Security Council makes its recommendation. And I expect everyone who is serious about becoming the world’s next chief diplomat to engage openly and directly with the full UN membership and the people that he or she will ultimately serve.

An opportunity for change.

Of course, these innovations will not directly transform our world and discussions continue on issues such as the length and renewability of the Secretary-General’s term and whether the General Assembly should vote on an appointment or not.

But they do have the potential to establish a new standard of transparency and inclusivity in international affairs.

They can increase our chances of securing the best possible candidate to lead the United Nations. And they represent, I believe, a moment in history when the General Assembly – the world’s most representative and democratic decision-making body – reasserts itself.

Given the global challenges we face today, this could be a real game-changer.

So, please, go online, participate on social media, make yourself heard and help us find the best possible candidate for UN Secretary-General, that our world needs.

Mogens Lykketoft President of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly

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International drug policy is not an end, it is the means to put people first

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once famously said that consensus was ‘the process of abandoning all beliefs.’ I beg to disagree.

Recently, I sat in a packed Vienna auditorium in the early hours of the morning as countries raced against the clock to reach agreement on an outcome document on drug policy.

The document now goes to the UN General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem—UNGASS— in New York in April. Before the Vienna meeting, a series of other events were held in international capitals involving scientists, academia, other organizations, as well as civil society. The overall process, driven by countries, was open, transparent and inclusive in embracing experiences and lessons learned. Given the different histories, cultures and traditions of countries, reaching agreement on such documents was never an easy proposition. But the United Nations has always striven to build accord and amity.

It is necessary. There are around 27 mil-

lion individuals in the world dependent on the drugs they use. This includes 12 million people who inject drugs. Elsewhere, the challenges are equally severe. Opium production in Afghanistan creates serious problems not just for West and Central Asia, but across the world. Deadly new psychoactive substances, the ravages of cheap heroin in North America, increased cocaine consumption in West and East Africa, show there are more hotspots than bright spots globally. Then there is the pervasive violence associated with illicit drugs that bludgeons countries and communities, especially in Central America. Possible links between criminals, including drug traffickers, and terrorists are also the cause of growing anxiety. Produced over several months of high level negotiations and broad discussion, the outcome document is the best attempt to craft solutions to these dramatic problems. In doing so, it seeks to turn fine words into bold operations that can impact lives for the better.

The document stresses that the international drug control conventions have the necessary flexibility to confront the challenges of drug use and abuse.

What does this mean in practical terms.

It means exploring alternatives to incarceration for minor offences of possession, and ensuring access to drugs for medical purposes.

Just as importantly it promotes health, including efforts against HIV, within a comprehensive and balanced ap-

proach that also enhances law enforcement to deal with the illicit drug supply.

Behind the document, however, lies a much deeper purpose: an acknowledgement that our policies support people and communities. That we must put people first. Children facing pressure to take drugs, vulnerable women compelled to act as drug mules, and impoverished farmers growing illicit crops who seek an alternative livelihood, are the outcome document’s true constituency. Conference room negotiations are not the end, they are the means. The UNGASS process is strongly connected to the real lives of people. We should not lose sight of this fact. One of the key principles of the international drug control conventions is the need for shared responsibility. No country can solve this problem alone, no country can exempt itself from the search for solutions.

The outcome document to be presented in New York is directly linked to this principle; it is a statement that, while it is difficult to please everyone, promotes cooperation and partnership. The world can benefit from such unanimity.

Consensus may not be pretty, but it is the best way of progressing against a global threat that desperately needs unity of action.

Yury Fedotov Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime

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Pakistan’s Humanitarian Country Team celebrates International Women’s Day The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Pakistan began its celebrations of International Women’s Day (IWD) on 4 March 2016. The observance reflected on UN Women’s theme ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’ with a reminder that parity in humanitarian actions has yet to be achieved for women and girls affected by disasters and emergencies.

Over the years, Pakistan’s humanitarian leadership (both UN and Government) has stepped up its commitments and efforts to ensure humanitarian planning, strategies and capacities are responsive to the concerns of all genders.

In his IWD message, Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan said that humanitarian responses to crisis often leave women worse off since humanitarian agencies mainly work with traditional community leaders- almost always men- who rarely address the

guest in town

needs of women. In order for sustainable and human development, it is crucial that humanitarian agencies help give women a louder voice.

George Khoury, Country Head of OCHA, shared: ‘Over the past years, OCHA and its humanitarian partners have been working hand in hand with Government partners to ensure that women affected by disasters or displacement have equitable access to relief and social services in both displacement and upon their returns, and are empowered with livelihood opportunities. OCHA and UN Women have a uniquely enjoyed a partnership for over five years, in which dedicated gender services to the Humanitarian Country Team were provided, enabling the maintenance of a high standard of gender integration in humanitarian planning and processes.’

Heather Macey, Representative of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum, reiter-

WFP’s Global Nutrition Director, Lauren Landis visits Pakistan Lauren Landis, WFP’s Global Nutrition Director, met government officials and nutrition partners during her 4 day visit to Pakistan which concluded on Friday 19 February.

She also took part in the 6th Provincial Steering Committee meeting in Karachi as well as a visit of high level government officials from Balochistan, FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Thatta to witness the

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ated: ‘Humanitarian partners, both national and international are committed to improving their outreach to meet the needs of Pakistani women and girls.’

Sangeeta Thapa, Deputy Representative of UN Women: ‘Women must be represented equally at all levels of disaster related institutions, and in decision-making processes in communities and at the national level. We continue to encourage and build the capacity of women for them to play a leadership role in disaster response and management and ensure that they are adequately supported to shoulder future leadership of their communities.’

stunting prevention programme, implemented by the Sindh Department of Health in collaboration with WFP, in order to replicate the model in their provinces.

news and events

gender equality on air and women’s empowerment

Diplomatic Enclave interview with heads of UN agencies on nutrition and food security WFP Representative and Country Director, Ms. Lola Castro, WHO Country Head, Dr. Michel Thieren, UNFAO Country Representative Mr. Patrick T. Evans, UN Women Country Representative, Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi and UNICEF Pakistan Deputy Representative, Ms. Cris Munduate appeared in a PTV Headquarter, Islamabad Programme, the ‘Diplomatic Enclave’ on Sunday, 10 April. The Representatives shared key facts pertaining to the nutrition scenario in Pakistan.

They also discussed various nutrition issues including malnutrition, stunting, wasting and obesity, especially among the mothers and children in Pakistan.Acknowledging the support of the Government of Pakistan, the United Nations Representatives voiced their commitment to addressing the prevailing nutrition situation in the country through the provision of technical, financial, policy as well as advocacy support for the implementation of multi-sectoral nutrition specific interventions such as Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), salt iodization, wheat flour fortification

etc. WFP, WHO, FAO, UNICEF and UNWOMEN are working closely with the Government of Pakistan to achieve SDG2: ‘End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.’

Radio interview for International Day of Sports for Peace and Development Vittorio Cammarota, Director, UNIC Islamabad appeared on Radio Pakistan to discuss the International Day of Sports for Peace and Development on 6 April. He shared that UN Pakistan, in partnership with the Pakistan Olympic Association and the Higher Education Commission, organized a program of sports events all over the country. The program involved both young male and female athletes and involved a range of sport activities such as badminton, football, rock climbing and table tennis. He also shared the Secretary-General’s message for the Day and mentioned that the aim of the nationwide celebration is to foster cultural understanding

and promote the Sustainable Development Goals related to healthy lifestyles, peace, tolerance and partnership.

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messages from secretary general

World Wildlife Day 3 March Global efforts to protect wildlife are gathering force. Last year, United Nations Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, which include specific targets to end poaching. The General Assembly also unanimously agreed a resolution to limit illicit trafficking

in wildlife. These powerful expressions of political determination to end these highly destructive crimes are now being translated into actions on the ground through collective efforts by countries around the world. On this World Wildlife Day, I call on all citizens, businesses and

governments to play their part in protecting the world’s wild animals and plants. The actions taken by each of us will determine the fate of the world’s wildlife. The future of wildlife is in our hands!

International Women’s Day 8 March On this International Women’s Day, I remain outraged by the denial of rights to women and girls – but I take heart from the people everywhere

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who act on the secure knowledge that women’s empowerment leads to society’s advancement. Let us devote solid funding, courageous ad-

vocacy and unbending political will to achieving gender equality around the world. There is no greater investment in our common future..

messages from secretary general

International Day of Happiness 20 March This year’s International Day of Happiness is focused on Climate Action for a Happy Planet.

Everyone can be part of our campaign: governments, civic groups, the media and individuals. This year, even cartoon characters have joined in as the United Nations teams up with a group famous for lacking good cheer: the Angry

Birds.These animated ambassadors are helping to raise awareness about the importance of climate action for our common future. You can join them by sharing your own climate actions using the hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet.

At this time of grave injustices, devastating wars, mass displacement, grinding poverty and other

manmade causes of suffering, the International Day of Happiness is a global chance to assert that peace, well-being and joy deserve primacy. It is about more than individual contentment; it is an affirmation that we have a collective responsibility to humanity.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 21 March The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action remains the most comprehensive framework for international, regional and national actions against racism. Yet I am concerned that the collective determination that enabled such a far-reaching agree-

ment is being undermined by political expediency. The international community acknowledged in Durban that no country could claim to be free of racism.

This remains the case today. We must keep foremost in our minds the countless victims of racial discrimination. By

implementing the Durban agreements, we can uplift not only those who suffer most profoundly but humanity as a whole. Let us unite to ensure dignity, justice and development for all.

International Day of Nowruz 21 March I am delighted to offer best wishes for a happy Nowruz to all those celebrating around the world – and to the many others who can benefit from

this rich cultural heritage. Let us enable all people who celebrate Nowruz to celebrate with joy and meaning – and let us spread its essential mes-

sage of hope and renewal around the world.

World Down Syndrome Day 21 March On this World Down Syndrome Day, let us resolve to support the autonomy and independence of persons

with Down syndrome, including their freedom to make choices, as part of our broader efforts to usher

in a life of dignity for all.

World Water Day 22 March On this World Water Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to improve the quality, management and protection of water resources as part

of our historic campaign to achieve a life of dignity for all people.

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International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 24 March Across the world, every victim has the right to know the truth about violations that affected her or him.

But the truth also has to be told for the benefit of all people and communities as a vital safeguard against

the recurrence of violations. The right to the truth is closely linked to the right to justice. On this day, I urge States to adopt measures to promote truth, justice and reparations for victims, which is so crucial

to ensuring that gross human rights violations are not repeated. Let us all do more to protect human rights and human dignity.

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 25 March The theme of this year’s observance is ‘Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots’.

The dynamic culture and traditions of Africa continue to enrich life in the countries that were once involved in

the Transatlantic slave trade.

Tested to the limits of their spirit and endurance, slaves from Africa left their descendants a wide range of invaluable assets, including fortitude, courage, strength, tolerance, patience and compassion. On this

Day, let us renew our resolve to fight racism and celebrate the heritage of Africa that enhances societies around the world today.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 25 March On this International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff, I urge intensified efforts to bring all perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice,

and to end impunity.

I call on all parties to respect the rights, privileges and immunities of United Nations personnel. I also remind national

authorities of their responsibility for protecting all UN personnel and preventing violations against them.

World Autism Awareness Day 2 April This year marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

On this World Autism Awareness Day,

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I call for advancing the rights of individuals with autism and ensuring their full participation and inclusion as valued members of our diverse human family

who can contribute to a future of dignity and opportunity for all.

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International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 4 April Mine action is critical for an effective humanitarian response in conflict and post-conflict situations.

This is a central message of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

I am pleased that, in December 2015, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution underlining the need for mine action to remain at the top of the international agenda, especially in hu-

manitarian crises. On this International Day, let us work together to advance the goal of a world free of the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 6 April On this third International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, I urge Governments, organizations, businesses, and all actors in society

to harness the values and power of sport to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

By working – and playing – together,

we can create the future we want.

International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda The theme of this year’s observance is ‘Fighting Genocide Ideology’. It is essential that Governments, the judiciary and civil society stand firm

against hate speech and those who incite division and violence. We must promote inclusion, dialogue and the rule of law to establish

peaceful and just societies.

International Mother Earth Day 22 April On this day, representatives of more than 170 countries are gathering at UN Headquarters in New York to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

This landmark pact, in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, holds the power to

transform our world. The momentum achieved by so many signatures on one day sends a clear signal of solidarity and resolve. Now we must unleash the full force of human ingenuity and ensure low-emission growth and improved climate resilience.

As each tree plays its part in the biosphere, so should we as individuals who care about our planet and every living creature on it. A new future can be ours if we respect and invest in Mother Earth.

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 29 April This year’s Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is more significant than ever as it marks the 100th anniversary of the first time chemical weapons were deployed on

a large scale in battle. On this tragic centenary, I stress again the importance of the Chemical Weapons Convention and strongly urge those few countries that still remain outside this

framework to adhere to it without further delay. We will need to maintain our common vigilance until universal membership is attained.

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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 Editors: Fatima Rauf, Myrah Butt Producer (photography): Umair Khaliq Producer (content): Anna Saksagon Graphic Designer: Mirko Neri Contributors: Sajid Abbasi, Ghulam Abbas, Qaiser Khan Afridi, Mahira Afzal, Esam Alqararah, Muhammad Ajmal, Rizwana Asad, Alfredo Pérez de Armiñán, Jawad Aziz, Muhammed Benyameen , Syed Saghir Bokhari, Justin D. Brookes, Henriette Bjoerge, Cayelan C. Carey, Belinda Chanda, Jannat Durrani, Muhammad Nader Farhad , Kendra Gregson, Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Naveed Hussain, Basharat Hussain, Fatimah Inayat, Zara Jamil, Vibeke Jensen, Lucie Kanova , Abid Niaz Khan , Duniya Aslam Khan , Riaz Karim Khan, Steffen Kaeser, Abdul Sami Malik, Mashhood Ahmad Mirza, Zubair Muhammad, Leena Nishtar, Edward Rees, Zikrea Saleah, Emma Sykes , Faria Salman, , Muqaddar Shah, Asif Shahzad, Gita Sen, Hiba Siddiqui, Tabida Siddiqi, Qian Tang, Javaria Tareen , Md. Aktar Uddin, Maryam Yunus, Midhat Zaidi.

Photographers: Basharat Hussain, Atif Mansoor Khan, Henriette Bjoerge, Faria Salman, HBO, Asad Zaidi, A Sami Malik, J Carrier, Delphine Schacher.

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.

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