TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEHERGARH: A CENTER FOR LEARNING - INTRODUCTION

STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

LEGISLATION

PROMOTING WOMEN’S RIGHT TO EARN A LIVING WITH DIGNITY

PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PARLIAMENTARIANS

RAISED AWARENESS ON HOW TO MAINTAIN ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT

EDUCATED HUMAN RESOURCE AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS ON HOW TO

EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE ACTFACILITATED PROVINCIAL

IMPLEMENTATION WATCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS

INVOLVED STUDENTS IN IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

HELPED INDIVIDUALS & INQUIRY COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN CASES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

GUARDED THE LEGISLATION

PROMOTED THE RIGHTS OF RAPE SURVIVORS TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY

SHIFTED PEOPLE’S MINDSET

Creatively Engaged Multiple Senses of People

Social Media Campaign

STRENGTHENED A DEMOCRATIC AND PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

ENGAGED YOUTH LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY BY COUNTERING MILITANCY & PROMOTING PLURALISM

USED CULTURE TO TRANSFORM SOCIETY

EMPOWERED WOMEN LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY

TRAINED TEACHERS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY & PLURALISM

USED MEDIA TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

SOCIAL MEDIA

PRINT MEDIA

MEHERGARH: A CENTER FOR LEARNING – INTRODUCTION

Mehergarh takes its name from the around 9000 years old civilization ‘Mehergarh’ that has

been found in Baluchistan. The remains found at Mehergarh site narrate the story of

ancient civilization that embodies peace and pluralism of the people of this land, which has

been lived for thousands of years. Mehergarh, the institute, believes that being the

residents of this land for thousands of years; we must own the depth and breadth of the

culture, traditions, religions and ethnic diversity with reverence.

Mehergarh: A Center for Learning is a human rights institute that seeks to inculcate the

spirit of leadership and activism in the young cadre by enabling them to think critically on

the issues surrounding them, and strategically organizing themselves to counter those

issues. Mehergarh was intensively involved in the passage of the two landmark laws against

Sexual Harassment in Pakistan in early 2010, hosted the secretariat of Alliance against

Sexual Harassment (AASHA) and in this regard, continues the work on nationwide

implementation of the legislation.

Mehergarh also works on the rights of Pakistani citizens of other faiths, bonded labour, and

promoting pluralism. Some of the achievements of Mehergarh in the year of 2016 are

briefed below.

STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

LEGISLATION

Mehergarh has worked on the implementation of Protection against Harassment of Women

at Workplace, Act 2010, since it was passed. The organization works closely with the federal

government, provincial governments, private sector, civil society and media. Hundreds of

awareness sessions have been conducted for organizations and thousands of individuals

have been trained across Pakistan, who are now working on its implementation in their

organizations and sectors. Print and electronic media is extensively used to educate people

on how to maintain zero tolerance for sexual harassment and fight for their right to dignity.

PROMOTED WOMEN’S RIGHT TO EARN A LIVING WITH DIGNITY

Mehergarh continued to work on the nationwide implementation of workplace harassment

law, helping transform work environments more suitable for women. After the first six

years of implementation, there are two indicators, showing the success of Mehergarh’s

work. One is the shift in the trend where initially we encouraged regulatory bodies and

organizations to comply with the law by adopting the Code of Conduct and now

organizations contact us to help them with the compliance process. Secondly, we have

started seeing a ripple effect. Individuals who have attended Mehergarh’s trainings and

awareness sessions in the past are now taking concrete steps towards implementing this

law, which shows that the learning stayed with them and where ever there is an

opportunity to make a difference, they do.

PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PARLIAMENTARIANS

Women Parliamentarians approach Mehergarh when they have questions regarding the

workplace harassment legislation. The organization assisted Balochistan Assembly in their

amendment to the anti-sexual harassment legislation and was instrumental in keeping out

the harmful clauses like making the law only for women. Mehergarh also worked with

members of Women Parliamentary Caucus on effective implementation of the law; giving

them an update on compliance throughout the country and where they can support the

process.

Meeting with Provincial Minister for Social Welfare, Sindh, Shamim

Mumtaz, MPA

Members of Women Parliamentary Caucus and Balochistan Assembly

Kulsoom Akhtar Chandio (MPA, PPP) receiving Dr.

Fouzia Saeed’s book ‘Working With Sharks’

RAISED AWARENESS ON HOW TO MAINTAIN ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL

HARASSMENT

More than 20 awareness sessions were conducted during the year to inform employees of

different organizations and university students about the issue of sexual harassment and

how to use the law. These sessions were attended by more than 2500 participants. Some of

the organizations where these sessions were conducted are: Securities and Exchange

Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Election Commission of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal Open

University, Pakistan Human Resource Network, Postal Staff College, National University of

Science and Technology (NUST), Fatima Jinnah Women University, Coca-Cola, Habib

Metropolitan Bank, Norwegian Church Aid and University of Balochistan.

Rector of NUST giving shield to Ms. Husain at

the end of awareness session Session at Fatima Jinnah Women University

Session for the staff of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)

Faculty members and students of Fatima Jinnah Women

University

EDUCATED HUMAN RESOURCE AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE ACT

In 2016, Mehergarh conducted 15, 1-day trainings in different cities and

trained more than 435 professionals from almost 82 organizations. The

participants of these trainings included professionals from the public &

private sector, media and civil society. Some of these

organizations/departments were; Punjab Commission on the Status of

Women, (PCSW), Women Development Department Sindh (WDD), Office

of Ombudsperson Punjab, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Engro Vopak, Bank

Alfalah, LUMS, Coca Cola, DESCOM, Blue Veins and Doctors Beyond

Borders. Mehergarh also trained the employees of international NGOs

like Marie Stopes Society, Norwegian Church Aid and Deutsche

Welthungerhifle. On-going support was provided to those who either

needed it or asked for it.

TRAINED TRAINERS AND INQUIRY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON ANTI-SEXUAL

HARASSMENT LAWS

Comprehensive Three Day Trainings

In 2016, Mehergarh conducted two, 3-day residential trainings at Mehergarh Training

Center and trained a total of 45 professionals from almost 33 organizations from different

parts of the country. A few of these organizations/departments were: Sindh Ombudsman

Secretariat, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), District Bar Associations, Fatima

Jinnah Women University, Habib Metropolitan Bank, BOL TV Network, Red Crescent, Aurat

Foundation, Blue Veins and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology

(SZABIST).

INVOLVED STUDENTS

Mehergarh educated over 1000 students from Fatima Jinnah Women University, University

of Balochistan, National University of Science and Technology and Quaid-e-Azam University.

We also worked with National Students Federation in Karachi, looking at the overall

situation in universities, with a focus on Karachi University; formulated step by step

solutions and prioritized them in order to make the environment conducive for students.

Pakistan Student Federation, Karachi

Faculty members and students of National University of Science and Technology

HELPED INDIVIDUALS & INQUIRY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH CASES OF

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Mehergarh supported more than 75 individuals with cases of sexual harassment during the

year. They were guided on how to use the legislation, working either with their inquiry

committees or the ombudsperson’s offices. A number of Inquiry Committees also

approached Mehergarh with complicated cases and we helped work through them.

GUARDED THE LEGISLATION

The law to curb sexual harassment at

workplaces was passed with the

intent to actually make the work

environment harassment free.

Mehergarh not only works on

implementing this law, but also

guards it from those who want to

make it toothless by amending it, or

attach their name with it, as this is

the only law in the country that is

being implemented with such vigour.

Mehergarh was able to avert amendments

proposed to the workplace harassment law on

both provincial and federal level by working

closely with Federal Ministry of Law, Justice and

Human Rights, Senate’s Standing Committee on

Human Rights, Parliamentarians at federal and

provincial levels and relevant government

departments.

Meeting with Mussarat Jabeen, Deputy Secretary,

Women Development Department, Karachi

Working with Standing Inquiry Committee Members of SZABIST

Senator Nasreen Jalil, MQM, Chairperson, Senate’s

Standing Committee on Human Rights

PROMOTED THE RIGHTS OF RAPE SURVIVORS TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY

In Pakistani society women are blamed for getting raped and not only the victim but her

whole family is stigmatized. No one wants to marry a girl who has been raped, as she is

considered damaged goods. The stigma stays with her for the rest of her life. In order to help

rape victims live their life with dignity, it is important to shift people’s mindset so that they

start holding the rapist accountable instead of finding fault in the victim’s character, morality,

her life style or what she wears.

SHIFTING PEOPLE’S MINDSET

Creatively Engaged Multiple Senses of People

Being the secretariat of Pakistan Nari Tehreek, Mehergarh facilitated members, those who

asked for help, in conducting carefully designed sessions: starting with an introduction of the

issue, showing Shoaib Mansoor’s documentary ‘Hum Aisay Kyun Hain’, followed by discussion

around very specific questions. The idea was to have people question their thinking and start

looking at the issue objectively; help them shift their mindset from blaming the

victim/survivor to holding the rapist accountable. The new Urdu term for rape; ‘Zabarjinsi’

was also introduced.

Social Media Campaign

Mehergarh engaged with people through a well-

designed social media and also engaged with

them in public places to educate them on the

issue of Zabarjinsi. A few

strategies used were;

1. Posters were

designed, circuited to all Nari

Tehreek Members to share on

social media.

2. All Nari Tehreek

members were asked to send in a brief message against ‘Zabarjinsi’

with their picture to be shared on social media.

3. Placards were prepared with messages to hold the rapist

accountable and people in public places were asked to get their

pictures taken holding those placards, which were then shared on

social media, as people were getting their pictures taken, it was a

good opportunity to talk about the issue.

STRENGTHENED A DEMOCRATIC AND PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

Mehergarh believes that for a truly democratic society, it is important to reclaim pluralistic

spaces that have been taken away by the wave of militancy in recent decades. Reconnecting

with and promoting democratic and pluralistic aspects of society has been remained an

essential part of Mehergarh’s programs. Mehergarh has been making efforts to promote a

democratic society that ensures peace, religious harmony, pluralism, social justice and

equality. We use different mediums like human engagement through trainings and talks and

audio visuals like documentaries to transform people so that they can play their role in

making a difference.

ENGAGED YOUTH LEADERS TO COUNTER MILITANCY & PROMOTE PLURALISM

Youth Leadership is one of Mehergarh’s core programs where we work with youth leaders

from across the country to bring democratic and pluralistic norms back in our society. This

year a diverse group of 34 youth leaders from different provinces and remote areas of

Pakistan were trained in an eight day training, May 9 to 15. There were 12 participants from

Sindh, 7 from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 2 from Punjab, 1 from Islamabad,

6 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3 participants from Gilgit Baltistan.

A rich panel of resource persons like Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Zafarullah Khan, Paul Lundberg, Dr.

Kamran Ahmad, Dr. Khadim Hussain, Amir Rana and Maliha Husian worked with the group.

The participants were given local, national and international perspectives of democracy and

democratic systems.

USED CULTURE TO TRANSFORM SOCIETY

Bringing culture and creative expression back

into people’s lives is one way of countering

militancy. Cultural activities have always been an

integral part of all Mehergarh’s programs.

Participants get to showcase the culture of their

provinces with traditional clothes, dance, music,

poetry etc., which helps them appreciate and

celebrate the diversity of faiths and cultures of

Pakistan and beings them closer to one another.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankvani, MNA, PMLN, actively engaged with youth leaders Youth leader from FATA

Youth leaders from Gilgit Baltistan

The colours of Pakistan

TRAINED COLLEGE TEACHERS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY & PLURALISM

Mehergarh has developed a partnership with the University of Education, Punjab, to train

college teachers on how to teach peace and pluralism in a democratic society. College

teachers are in an ideal position to inculcate values of peace, pluralism, equality and dignity

among our youth. Ensuring our college teachers know how to incorporate these messages in

whatever subjects they are teaching, can play a very important role in creating a democratic

society. This will be a part of their regular teacher’s training program. This year, these

sessions were offered to more than 100 teachers in two cohorts from different colleges in

Punjab.

EMPOWERED WOMEN LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY

Mehergarh trained over a hundred women leaders from Islamabad and Rawalpindi area,

about half of whom were elected representatives of local government, on the democratic

system of governance at the national, provincial and local levels and how do they fit into the

picture. The training also included sessions on peace and pluralism and equal rights of citizens

of all faiths.

USED MEDIA TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

Mehergarh works closely with both print and electronic media to educate people on the

importance of a strong democracy in which the rights of all its citizens, including vulnerable

groups like women and those belonging to other religions, are protected. Social media is

also used for this purpose.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

Mehergarh participated in several TV and radio shows to aware people about their rights

and relevant legislations. These programs were aired on major television channels like PTV

News, PTV World, Neo TV, ARY News, Geo News, News One, AAJ News, 92 News, Waqt

News, BBC world news TV, 24 News, Channel 24 and Capital TV.

PRINT MEDIA

Mehergarh made an effective use of print

media to create awareness for the rights of

women and citizens of other faiths,

simultaneously upholding and endorsing

pluralistic and democratic ideals in the

society. Roznama Jinnah, The News

International, Roznama Samaa and Pakistan

Observer continued to publish our stories,

which helped gain momentum in the

process of changing the mindset of society.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Mehergarh effectively engaged with people through social media. Campaigns were

designed to curb sexual harassment, rape, and promote pluralism.