Immediate Support Needed for Earthquake in Balochistan 29Oct08
Dear Friends
A powerful earthquake has hit Northern areas of Balochistan at 5:15 this morning (October 29, 2008). The reports are still coming from the devastated areas of Ziarat, Pishin and adjoining districts. The very initial estimates of deaths is around 200 and 10,000 people being displaced/ homeless. Due to restricted mobility and communication channels, God forbid the casualties could be higher!
The winter in Balochistan has set-in. The earthquake prone areas under extream cold weather and people need immediate support. IDSP’s assessment teams have moved to the areas and we are constantly coordinating with other organizations which are active in the area.
The people desperately need tents, blankets, medicine, food, water & other necessities of daily life. Relief Operation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation will definitely take time & money.
Your contributions can make a lot of difference. Please come forward & help for the welfare of humanity. Our little help can reduce the miseries of these affected people.
Waiting for your support in-kind or cash!
Contact Person: Ghulam Rabani (Mobile 0343-8000181)
Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari
IDSP-Pakistan
7-A Al Mashriq Street, Arbab Karam Khan Road Quetta, Pakistan
Ph#. 92-81-2471776, 2470243
Fax#. 92-81-2447285
idsp@idsp.org,pk
www.idsp.org.pk
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Understanding and celebrating the Women Leadership in Traditional Societies 15Jul08
Understanding and celebrating the Women Leadership in Traditional Societies
July 14th – 18th 2008
Introduction
Mainstreaming Gender and Development in Balochistan (MGDB)
Mainstreaming Gender and Development in Balochistan (MGDB) is one of
the vital practices of Institute for Development Studies and Practices
(IDSP) in which 220 young Balochistan women, mainly from the
7-traditional districts are engaged to assert their human position, to
contribute in the social development as activist, thinkers, workers and
educators. IDSP has conducted 45 weeks long theory and practice based
courses for the groups of these motivated women, who are now
contributing in their families and communities while valuing the
repressed knowledge and valued folk literature for social cohesion and
integrity. The groups have truth about enzyte established 4-district campuses in District
Pishin, Khuzdar, Sibi and Mastung. They are now linked with local
government and educational institutions to understand and respond the
challenge of globalization which severely affects the local livelihood,
linguistic, cultural and environmental ecology and mechanisms of peace
and accountability. IDSP has planned five days gathering from July 14th
to 18th for consolidating the experiences of this program.
The Purpose
The purpose of this Gathering was to celebrate and analyze the
practices of IDSP working with traditional women in Balochistan and explore
venues of engaging women in a process of leadership development
Objectives
• Consolidating IDSP’s practices in gender and development in Balochistan
• Exploring venues and spaces for alternative mainstreaming gender
Major Theme of Gathering
“Women leadership in Traditional Societies; opportunities and Potential”
Day 1 – 14th July 2008
First day of the event included the activities to formally start the
event. Day also included the activity of “Expression through Art” for
the participants of the program. This day was chaired by the Cheif
Guest, Minister for Information Technology, Ms. Parveen Magsi, Director
IDSP Dr. Quratulaine Bakhteari, Ms. Naureen Lehri (MGDB
representative) and Local Government representatives from 4 districts
of Balochistan.
First Session:
Opening: Welcome note and Presentation
Day started with the welcome note by Director IDSP Dr.
Quratulaine Bakhteari followed by the presentation from Ms.
Naureen Lehri on
project’s introduction, history, need & objectives of the
event.
Experience sharing by Local Government representatives
Local Government representatives from 4 Districts of Balochistan
province and District Nazim Khuzdar shared their thoughts about their
experience with Mainstreaming Gender and Development in
Balochistan program and its activities.
Chief Guest Speech
Chief guest of the event Ms. Parveen Magsi, Minister for Information
Technology Balochistan, appreciated the initiative
of Mainstreaming Gender and Development in Balochistan and
requested IDSP to expand this program to other districts as well. She
also ensured her support for this initiative.
Shields Distribution
Shields were presented to Chief Guest, Director IDSP and Local
Government representatives by program team to recognize their
commitment and support to the program and its cause.
Second Session
Expression through Art
Participants of the program participated in the interesting activity
of Expression through Art. In this activity participants expressed
their experiences in the project and their interpretation of the
event’s theme (i.e. Understanding and celebrating the Women Leadership
in Traditional Societies) through drawings & sketches
Day 2 – 15th July 2008
First Session:
Day opening and Introduction:
Day formally started after the recitation of verses form Holy Quran by
Mr. Sohail Ahmed. Ms. Abida Dehpal, who was the moderator for the day,
gave an overview on the day’s activities and thematic areas going to be
discussed.
Group discussions on thematic areas:
Thematic areas for the day were “Self awareness and Gender development”
and “Self Awareness and Literature”. Resource persons of thematic areas
were Dr. Quratulaine Bakhteari and Mr. Raziq Fahim.
Groups discussions were held where participants discussed Hurdles,
Solutions and Opportunities for the each thematic area.
Second Session:
Session by Mr. Ishaq Lehri:
Mr. Ishaq Lehri, an artist and professor at University of Balochistan,
presented his paper and discussed with audience the topic of
“History of human in the perspective of Art and Literature”. He
discussed the process of social evolution and the factors which
compelled human beings towards change. Furthermore he discussed that
how this change is reflected in the art and literature.
Art exhibition:
Paintings and sculptures were displayed in the art exhibition which
highlighted the thematic areas of the day and gave an insight into the
topics through the medium of art.
Day 3 – 16th July 2008
First Session:
Day opening and Introduction
Verses form Holy Quran were recited by Mr. Sohail Ahmed to start the
proceedings of the day. Ms. Shahida Yousaf was the day’s Moderator.
After recitation, moderator gave an overview on day’s activities and
introduction of resource persons for the activities.
Group discussions and presentations
Thematic area of the day was “Importance of family in development
process” and Mr. Ashraf Kaisrani and Ms. Kausar S.K were the resource
persons. Group discussion activity started with the questionnaire where
three questions were asked from the audience.
1.What are the restriction in your family for the women in working
outside and education?
2.What recommendation do you propose to get away from these
restrictions?
3.What reasons do they give for these restrictions?
Answers to these questions provided basis to the group discussion
activity for which participants were divided into the groups on the
basis of their ethnicity. These groups were : Baloch, Pashtoon, Siraiki
& Sindhi and Punjabi & Urdu speaking. After the group
discussion session, groups presented the outcomes of the discussion in
front of the audience. |
