AAWAZ Program

Voice and Accountability

Project Description

    AAWAZ is a voice and accountability programme that aims is “stable, inclusive and tolerant democracy in Pakistan” with a focus result of “democratic processes in Pakistan are more open, inclusive and accountable to citizens” specially focused on women and minority religious groups. AAWAZ is 5 years funded Programme by DFID operating in two provinces of Pakistan i.e. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The project is implemented through DASTAR (Partner Organization of Aurat Foundation) in district Nowshera.
    The geographical range of AAWAZ Programme is 8 districts while DASTAR is operating in districts Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
    . AWAZ programme interventions and activities will be integrated to achieve Outputs 1, 2 and 3:

Output 1

Women better able to participate safely in politics and in public spaces at federal, provincial and local levels in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

AAWAZ programme will help to develop provincial and national gender-based legislative plans for ensuring equality of rights and status of women and other excluded groups on an annual basis in collaboration with women legislators and concerned provincial departments in Punjab and KP and key stakeholders and concerned ministries and institutions at the federal level. The programme will encourage better enforcement of existing laws that prevent VAW through building women’s capacities and increasing their participation via awareness-raising activities

 

Output 3

Women and other excluded groups better able to demand improved delivery of services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

AAWAZ Programme will facilitating networking and coalition building at the community level will be working with community groups, comprising women and minorities, to identify a shared vision for their community and define local priorities for service delivery needs. Citizen’s voice and strengthening accountability are volunteer, local-level citizen committees

 

Output 2

Citizens and communities better able to resolve disputes peacefully, and work together for common solutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

AAWAZ Programme will create a peace constituency that is built up from the grassroots level to the federal level through raising awareness and educating people on their rights, responsibilities, and how to use existing dispute resolution mechanisms to constructively work through their differences.

 

 

 

Output 4

Improved evidence generated, synthesized, and communicated/championed to political leaders

AAWAZ Programme will encourage knowledge base and understanding of programme impact through independent monitoring and evaluation of all partners organisation. The programme will expand the circulation and dissemination of relevant, evidence-based knowledge on development issues; and advocacy efforts to use Response fund and PAAR facility.

 

 

Tabs

AAWAZ Agahi Center (center for awareness) is established at each union council of the project areas. The Centre is working as a resource, information and the referral place for the local communities and dissemination on and around AAWAZ Programme and related issues. Additionally it is serving as the meeting place for AAWAZ forums and AAWAZ UC and other committees that are formed under AAWAZ Programme. .
AAWAZ Forum is comprised of 40-60 males and females. This is a basic programming tier. It includes at least 3 representatives from the School Management Committee/ School Council if there is any government school functional in the village/neighborhood/settlement. Besides a collective forum for individual participation, AAWAZ Forum is performing three fundamental tasks regarding program Output 1, 2 and 3.
AAWAZ UC Forum is next tier, comprising 25-30 individuals at Union Council level. It also includes at least 2 representatives from the Basic Health Unit Monitoring Committee. AAWAZ UC Forum elects its office bearers for tenure of 1 year through election process. The office bearers are running function of the AAWAZ UC Forum and AAWAZAagahi Centers (AACs). UC Forum is responsible for working on all the three outputs. To ensure due importance and share to each output, the TORs of the UC forum have three separate sections; one for each output.

Composition and Functions of AAWAZ Forum

AAWAZ Forum was responsible for undertaking activities and producing results concerning women’s safe and effective participation in political and public.

This role asks from the AAWAZ Forum to promote peace, tolerance and social cohesion to support peaceful resolution of disputes and collaboration within and among communities for common solutions.

This role requires from the AAWAZ Forum to voice priorities and hold government accountable for adequate service delivery, especially in health and education sectors, and other sectors that the local population wants to work on.

AAWAZ AGAHI CENTERS

AAWAZ Aagahi Centers (AACs) was established as resource centers and in ten Union Councils of the district. The center would disseminate awareness material and provide technical support to the AAWAZ village/neighborhood/ Union council Forums.

# Agahi Center Recourse Person Contact No
1 Mira Akora Khattak Mrs. Kiran Jan 0334-9466730
2 Shaidu Miss. Rahat Bibi 0331-6784901
3 Rashakai Mrs. Saeeda Israr 0345-9306780
4 Ziarat Kaka Sahib Miss Basnigah 0331-5541466
5 Shahkot Mrs. Minhas Bibi 0301-5826960
6 UC Balu Miss. Anila Ayaz 0317-1445155
7 Gandiry ٓMr. Aurang Zeb 0335-9344743
8 Khair Abad Mr. Ibne Amin 0333-9582082
9 Mohib Banda Mrs. Sameena 0331-9529577
10 Dagai Mrs. Sadaqat Bibi 0313-9283661