Our Work
We protect girls from child marriages, promote education, and advocate for their rights. Through grassroots activism and community engagement, we’re creating a brighter future for girls in Pakistan.
Girls Go Back to School
Empowering Education for All
Introduction:
The Girls Go Back to School campaign, led by Hadiqa Bashir, is a transformative initiative aimed at re-enrolling out-of-school girls and ensuring their right to education. In many regions, cultural, economic, and social barriers prevent girls from continuing their studies. This campaign tackles these challenges through advocacy, community engagement, and direct support, empowering girls to reclaim their education and future.
Objectives:
– Increase School Enrollment: Support girls in re-enrolling in schools by addressing the challenges that force them to drop out.
– Advocate for Girls’ Right to Education: Engage with parents, religious leaders, and policymakers to shift societal perceptions and encourage educational access.
– Provide Essential Resources: Offer scholarships, mentorship, and safe learning environments to ensure sustainable education for girls.
Key Strategies & Activities
Community Awareness Campaigns:
– Conduct workshops, dialogues, and awareness sessions with parents and local leaders to emphasize the importance of girls’ education.
– Utilize radio, social media, and local storytelling to reach a broader audience.
Policy & Advocacy Efforts
– Work with policymakers and education authorities to strengthen laws and policies promoting girls’ education.
– Advocate for the implementation of girl-friendly school environments, including safety measures and sanitation facilities.
– Direct Support for Girls
– Provide scholarships, school supplies, and mentorship programs to help girls transition back to school smoothly.
– Establish safe spaces where girls can discuss their challenges and receive guidance.
Impact & Achievements:
– 2,000 girls successfully re-enrolled in schools through advocacy and direct support.
– Increased community acceptance and parental support for girls’ education.
– Strengthened partnerships with educators, civil society organizations, and policymakers to create long-term solutions.
Sustainability & Future Goals
– Expand the initiative to reach more girls in underserved regions.
– Strengthen legal advocacy efforts to ensure policy enforcement.
– Develop mentorship and vocational training programs to provide long-term educational and career opportunities.
Conclusion
The Girls Go Back to School campaign is more than just an education initiative—it is a movement toward gender equality, empowerment, and breaking the cycle of poverty. By ensuring that girls have the opportunity to continue their education, we invest in a future where every girl can thrive, lead, and contribute to her community.
One Girl, One Tree Campaign
Empowering Girls, Protecting the Planet
Introduction:
The One Girl, One Tree campaign is a transformative initiative that links climate justice with girls’ rights, ensuring young girls have access to education, health resources, and environmental sustainability. Led by Hadiqa Bashir and Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR), this campaign highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on girls, particularly in underserved communities. By empowering girls through education, advocacy, and environmental action, this initiative fosters long-term solutions to climate and gender inequalities.
Objectives:
– Raise Awareness: Highlight the connection between climate change, gender inequality, and barriers to girls’ education and health.
– Promote Climate Action: Encourage girls to plant trees as a symbol of resilience, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
– Ensure Girls’ Education & SRHR Rights: Advocate for better school facilities, including access to clean water, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene resources, ensuring that climate change does not hinder girls’ education.
Key Strategies & Activities
1. Tree Plantation Drives
Girls plant trees as a symbol of empowerment and commitment to environmental sustainability.
Schools, communities, and local leaders are engaged in reforestation efforts to combat deforestation and climate change.
2. Education & Advocacy
Awareness sessions are conducted to explore the intersections of climate change, gender equality, and reproductive health (SRHR).
The campaign advocates for policy reforms that integrate SRHR rights into climate justice initiatives.
3. Safe & Green Schools Initiative
– Advocacy for eco-friendly school environments, including improved sanitation, clean water access, and sustainable menstrual hygiene solutions.
– Leadership training for girls to become climate advocates in their communities.
Impact & Achievements
– Thousands of trees planted, promoting sustainability and environmental conservation.
– Strengthened school retention rates by addressing climate-related barriers to girls’ education.
– Integrated SRHR advocacy with climate justice, ensuring that policies recognize the impact of climate change on girls’ rights.
Sustainability & Future Goals
– Expand the campaign to reach more schools and communities, promoting climate-friendly learning spaces.
– Strengthen policy engagement to secure long-term investment in gender-sensitive climate policies.
– Scale up tree-planting initiatives, integrating them into local climate adaptation strategies.
Conclusion
The One Girl, One Tree campaign is more than just an environmental project—it is a movement for gender equality, climate justice, and sustainable development. By equipping girls with the tools to combat climate change while ensuring their right to education and health, this initiative is shaping a more just, sustainable, and equitable future.
STEM Fellowship
Empowering Girls Through Science & Innovation
Introduction
The STEM Fellowship is an initiative by Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR) aimed at empowering girls and young women by providing education, mentorship, and hands-on experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This program addresses gender disparities in STEM fields and ensures that girls, especially from underserved communities, have equal opportunities to explore, innovate, and lead in STEM careers.
Objectives
– Enhance STEM Education: Provide girls with access to quality STEM learning opportunities through workshops, mentorship, and project-based learning.
– Bridge the Gender Gap: Encourage more female participation in STEM by fostering confidence, curiosity, and leadership in science and technology fields.
– Promote Innovation & Problem-Solving: Equip girls with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address real-world challenges, particularly those affecting their communities.
– Career Pathways in STEM: Connect young women with STEM professionals, researchers, and industry experts to provide mentorship and career guidance.
Program Structure & Key Activitie
1. STEM Workshops & Hands-on Training
Interactive sessions on coding, robotics, engineering, and environmental science.
Practical experiments and innovation labs to encourage creativity and critical thinking.
2. Mentorship & Role Models
Girls are paired with women professionals in STEM fields for guidance and career mentoring.
Panel discussions and leadership sessions with successful women in STEM to inspire and motivate fellows.
3. Fellowship Projects & Innovation Challenges
Fellows engage in community-based STEM projects, solving real-world problems with technology and scientific approaches.
STEM competitions and hackathons to develop innovative solutions for issues like climate change, healthcare, and education.
4. Advocacy for Gender Inclusion in STEM
– Campaigns to encourage more girls to pursue STEM education and careers.
– Policy recommendations and engagement with education authorities to promote gender-inclusive STEM curricula.
Impact & Achievements
– Hundreds of girls trained in STEM disciplines, increasing their confidence and career aspirations.
– Strengthened pipeline for female leadership in STEM, breaking gender barriers in science and technology.
– Fostered innovation by encouraging STEM-based solutions to societal and environmental challenges.
– Built a network of young women leaders in STEM, supporting one another in academic and career pursuits.
Sustainability & Future Goals
– Expand the fellowship to reach more schools and communities, ensuring continued access to STEM education.
– Strengthen partnerships with universities, tech companies, and research institutions to provide long-term opportunities for girls.
– Advocate for policy changes that support gender-inclusive STEM education and funding for girls in STEM fields
Conclusion
The STEM Fellowship is more than an educational program—it is a movement to break barriers, empower young women, and shape the future of innovation. By fostering curiosity, confidence, and leadership, this initiative ensures that girls are not just participants but leaders in STEM, driving progress and change in their communities.
Girls for Peace
Empowering Young Women as Agents of Change
– Build Alliances for Sustainable Peace: Connect young women with mentors, policymakers, and – peace organizations to amplify their voices and impact.
2. Community-Based Peace Projects
– Storytelling and media campaigns to share experiences and inspire broader societal change.
– Encouraging young women to take leadership roles in peacebuilding organizations and local governance.
– Promoting interfaith harmony by challenging stereotypes and building mutual respect.
– Influenced local policies on women’s inclusion in peace processes.
Conclusion
Peace by Piece
Mothers for Peace
Introduction
The Peace by Piece: Mothers for Peace initiative, led by Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR), is a grassroots movement empowering mothers as peacebuilders in their communities. Recognizing the pivotal role of mothers in shaping families and communities, this initiative focuses on equipping women with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to foster peace, counter violence, and promote social cohesion.
Objectives
– Empower Mothers as Peacebuilders: Provide women with training in conflict resolution, dialogue facilitation, and peace advocacy.
– Strengthen Community Bonds: Encourage intergenerational and interfaith conversations to break down divisions and foster unity.
– Counter Extremism & Violence: Equip mothers with tools to identify, prevent, and counteract radicalization and domestic violence.
– Advocate for Women’s Inclusion in Peace Processes: Promote policies that include women’s voices in local and national peacebuilding efforts.
Program Structure & Key Activities
1. Peace & Conflict Resolution Training
– Workshops on non-violent communication, mediation, and community reconciliation.
– Training mothers to mediate family and neighborhood conflicts, promoting peaceful resolutions.
2. Storytelling & Healing Circles
– Safe spaces for mothers to share personal experiences of conflict, loss, and survival.
– Healing through dialogue, empathy, and shared narratives to strengthen social bonds.
3. Community Peace Projects
Mothers lead local initiatives promoting tolerance, interfaith harmony, and conflict prevention.
School-based peace education programs, where mothers advocate for non-violence and inclusion.
4. Policy Advocacy & Women’s Leadership
– Engagement with local and national policymakers to integrate women’s voices into formal peace processes.
– Awareness campaigns on the importance of mothers as agents of peace.
Impact & Achievements
– Trained and mobilized hundreds of mothers as community peacebuilders.
– Created stronger social networks for women to support one another in conflict-prone areas.
– Reduced incidents of violence through mother-led mediation and intervention programs.
– Influenced local policies to recognize women’s role in peacebuilding.
Sustainability & Future Goals
– Expand the initiative to reach more conflict-affected communities, particularly in PATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
– Develop long-term community-led peace networks where women take the lead in preventing violence.
– Strengthen partnerships with peace organizations, policymakers, and educators to institutionalize the role of mothers in peacebuilding.
Conclusion
The Peace by Piece: Mothers for Peace initiative is a transformative effort to harness the power of women in creating lasting peace. By empowering mothers with knowledge and leadership opportunities, this initiative ensures that peace starts at home and ripples out into society, one family at a time.
GUHR Legal Aid Center
Empowering Women and Girls Through Access to Justice
Introduction
The Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR) Legal Aid Center is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to providing free legal support, rights awareness, and advocacy for vulnerable women and girls in conflict-prone and marginalized regions. The center aims to bridge the justice gap by offering legal aid, psychosocial support, and capacity-building programs, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), early and forced marriage (EFM), and discriminatory practices.
Why this matters?
Women and girls in PATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) face systemic legal barriers, including:
– Limited access to legal representation.
– Restrictive local customs that hinder women’s rights.
– Absence of women-friendly laws in certain regions.
– High rates of GBV and child marriage with little legal recourse.
– Through legal intervention, community engagement, and policy advocacy, the GUHR Legal Aid Center is a lifeline for women and girls seeking justice and empowerment.
Objectives
– Provide Free Legal Assistance: Ensure that survivors of violence and human rights violations can access justice without financial barriers.
– Raise Legal Awareness: Conduct community education programs to inform women about their legal rights and protections.
– Strengthen Advocacy for Policy Reforms: Push for the extension of pro-women laws in PATA and other underserved regions.
– Enhance Women’s Legal Literacy: Equip women and girls with knowledge and resources to navigate the legal system.
Core Services & Activities:
1. Legal Aid & Representation
– Pro bono legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence, forced marriage, inheritance disputes, workplace harassment, and other legal challenges.
– Collaboration with human rights lawyers and legal professionals to ensure fair representation.
2. Legal Awareness & Community Outreach
– Workshops and awareness sessions on women’s legal rights, child marriage laws, GBV prevention, and inheritance rights.
– Community engagement programs using radio broadcasts, digital campaigns, and grassroots mobilization.
3. Psychosocial Support & Counseling
– Trauma-informed counseling services for survivors of violence and abuse.
– Referral networks connecting women to safe shelters, medical aid, and mental health support.
4. Policy Advocacy & Law Reforms
– Lobbying for the extension of women-friendly laws to PATA and conflict-affected areas.
– Engaging with lawmakers, judicial bodies, and local leaders to advance legal protections for women.
– Strategic litigation to challenge discriminatory laws and set legal precedents.
Impact & Achievements
– Provided legal aid and representation to over 500 women and girls facing human rights violations.
– Successfully advocated for the extension of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2016, protecting 1.4 million girls from early and forced marriage.
– Conducted legal literacy workshops for over 5,000 women and girls, empowering them to understand and assert their rights.
– Established a network of pro-bono lawyers and legal advocates to support cases and drive legal reform.
– Facilitated policy dialogues with government and legal stakeholders to strengthen women’s access to justice.
Sustainability & Future Goals
To ensure long-term impact and sustainability, GUHR aims to:
– Expand Legal Aid Services: Increase outreach to remote and underserved communities, ensuring justice for all women and girls.
– Establish a Community Paralegal Network: Train local women as community paralegals to provide on-the-ground legal assistance in high-risk areas.
– Strengthen Institutional Partnerships: Collaborate with government agencies, legal institutions, and international organizations to scale up legal support services.
– Develop Self-Sustaining Legal Literacy Programs: Implement peer-led legal education models to foster long-term legal empowerment.
– Secure Long-Term Funding for Legal Aid & Advocacy: Engage donors and funding partners to ensure the continuation and expansion of services.
Conclusion
The GUHR Legal Aid Center is a critical intervention for protecting and empowering women and girls in conflict-prone regions. By providing legal aid, advocacy, and awareness, we are not only helping individuals access justice but also shaping a legal landscape that upholds women’s rights and gender equality.
Learning Laws & Advancing Women-Friendly Legal Reforms
Empowering Women & Girls Through Legal Awareness and Advocacy
Introduction
Access to justice remains a significant challenge for women and girls in conflict-prone and marginalized communities, especially in PATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The lack of implementation of women-friendly laws worsens issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and inheritance discrimination.
To combat this, Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR) has launched legal literacy programs and advocacy campaigns to promote learning laws and push for policy reforms that ensure greater protection and empowerment for women and girls.
Objectives
– Increase Legal Awareness: Educate women and girls about existing legal protections to enable them to assert their rights.
– Advocate for the Expansion of Women-Friendly Laws: Promote the extension of key legislation, including GBV laws and child protection acts, to marginalized areas.
– Enhance Community Legal Literacy: Train local women, youth, and activists to become legal advocates and paralegals.
– Strengthen Legal Support Networks: Build a coalition of lawyers, policymakers, and community leaders to support legal reforms and women’s rights protections.
Key Focus Areas
1. Legal Literacy & Community Education
Workshops and Training on Women’s Rights & Laws:
– Child Marriage Restraint Act 2016
– Women’s Protection Act
– Domestic Violence Prevention Laws
– Inheritance & Property Rights
– Workplace Harassment Laws
– Cyber Safety & Digital Rights for Women
– Outreach Through Radio & Digital Platforms to ensure legal education reaches remote areas.
2. Women-Friendly Law Reforms & Policy Advocacy
Extending GBV Laws to PATA & Rural Regions:
GUHR has successfully lobbied for the extension of GBV laws in rural regions to protect women from domestic violence, honor killings, and sexual harassment.
Campaigning for the Implementation of the Child Marriage Restraint Act:
GUHR has worked on strengthening the enforcement of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, protecting underage girls from early forced marriages in marginalized communities.
Advocating for Equal Inheritance Rights:
GUHR has worked with local authorities to promote equal inheritance rights for women, especially in patriarchal regions where women’s property rights are often denied.
Influencing Policy & Engaging Lawmakers:
GUHR’s advocacy efforts have resulted in policy reforms that support the inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making roles in local governance and community policing.
3. Establishing Women-Led Legal Support Networks
Training Community Paralegals:
GUHR has trained over 300 women to become paralegals and legal advocates in rural areas, enabling local women to access legal help and support each other in navigating the judicial system.
Collaboration with Lawyers & Human Rights Organizations:
GUHR has created partnerships with human rights organizations and pro bono lawyers to offer free legal services to women in need of legal representation in cases of GBV, inheritance disputes, and discriminatory practices.
Strengthening Women’s Access to the Judicial System:
Through collaborations with legal institutions, GUHR has made the legal system more accessible to marginalized women, ensuring women-friendly legal frameworks are implemented effectively.
Impact & Achievements
Training 5,000 Women and Girls:
GUHR has trained 5,000 women and girls in understanding their legal rights and how to access justice when those rights are violated. This has resulted in greater legal empowerment, allowing women to stand up for their rights in legal proceedings and in their communities.
Advocacy for Child Marriage Act Protection:
GUHR’s advocacy has played a key role in protecting 1.4 million girls from forced marriages through successful extension and enforcement of the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
Policy Dialogues with Lawmakers:
GUHR has successfully influenced government policy to strengthen GBV laws and women’s property rights, ensuring greater protection for women and girls in remote areas.
Strengthening Community Legal Networks:
GUHR’s paralegal training programs have empowered 300 local women to offer legal assistance and advocate for legal reform in their communities. This has increased local access to justice and reduced legal barriers.
Pro-Bono Legal Aid for GBV Survivors:
Through strategic partnerships with lawyers, GUHR has provided pro-bono legal aid to over 200 GBV survivors, ensuring their access to justice and protection.
Case Study 1: Legal Advocacy for a Survivor of Domestic Violence
Name: Ayesha
Age: 24
Region: Rural Swat Valley
Ayesha was a survivor of domestic violence who struggled to access legal protection. GUHR’s legal literacy training and collaboration with local lawyers helped Ayesha file for a protection order and eventually separate from her abusive spouse. She is now involved in community advocacy and works as a paralegal, helping other women in similar situations.
Sustainability & Future Goals
To ensure long-term impact, GUHR is working towards:
Scaling Legal Literacy Programs: Expanding outreach to rural and hard-to-reach areas through mobile legal clinics and digital platforms.
Institutionalizing Community Paralegal Training: Creating a structured program that trains more women and youth to become local legal advisors.
Strengthening Policy Advocacy Efforts: Continuing to push for women-friendly laws, their enforcement, and accountability mechanisms.
Building a Legal Aid Fund: Establishing a dedicated fund to support women and girls in accessing legal representation and justice services.
Conclusion
GUHR’s Learning Laws & Women-Friendly Legal Reforms initiative has made significant strides in empowering women and girls through legal education, advocacy, and access to justice. By equipping women with the tools to assert their legal rights, and ensuring women-friendly laws are extended and enforced, this initiative is creating a more just, equal, and inclusive society.
Investing in legal awareness is investing in women’s empowerment. Together, we can secure justice, equality, and freedom for women everywhere.
Training of Trainers (TOT):
Social Media as a Space for Dialogue, Interfaith Harmony, and Peace
Objective
The objective of this Training of Trainers (TOT) program is to equip trainers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to use social media platforms as powerful tools for interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and promoting religious tolerance. This training will enable trainers to impart the skills learned to others, fostering a global network of advocates for religious harmony and peace.
Target Audience
– Youth leaders and women activists passionate about promoting interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding.
– Community leaders who can lead interfaith discussions and initiatives.
– Digital influencers interested in spreading messages of peace.
– Teachers and educators who can use social media in educational settings to promote tolerance and harmony.
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the TOT program, participants will be able to:
– Understand the role of social media in shaping public opinion and fostering interfaith dialogue.
– Create and curate content that promotes interfaith tolerance, peace, and religious harmony.
– Use social media platforms effectively to engage audiences in positive conversations and actions.
– Train others to use social media as a tool for peacebuilding and advocacy.
– Address hate speech, misinformation, and extremism through digital campaigns.
– Build online communities that foster understanding and collaboration among diverse religious and cultural groups.
Module Overview
Module 1: Introduction to Social Media and Its Role in Peacebuilding
Objective: Understand the importance of social media as a tool for dialogue and peace.
Content:
– The power of social media in shaping public discourse.
– The role of social media in conflict and peace.
– Examples of social media successfully used for peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue.
Activity: Group Discussion: How can social media contribute to fostering peace and understanding in your community?
Module 2: The Basics of Interfaith Dialogue
Objective: Learn the fundamentals of interfaith dialogue and how to facilitate these discussions online.
Content:
– Key principles of interfaith dialogue (respect, understanding, and common ground).
– Barriers to interfaith dialogue and how to overcome them.
– Engaging online in meaningful interfaith dialogue.
Activity: Role Play: Simulate a situation where participants engage in a respectful interfaith conversation on social media.
Module 3: Creating Engaging Social Media Content for Peacebuilding
Objective: Learn how to create digital content that promotes religious tolerance and peace.
Content:
– Identifying key messages for interfaith dialogue.
– Crafting posts that encourage respect, understanding, and shared values.
– Using visuals, hashtags, and storytelling for maximum impact.
Activity: Content Creation Exercise: Design a social media post that promotes religious tolerance or peace. Participants will share their posts and give feedback.
Module 4: Managing Online Communities for Interfaith Dialogue
Objective: Learn how to build and manage an online community dedicated to peace and interfaith dialogue.
Content:
– Setting up online groups (Facebook Groups, WhatsApp Groups, etc.) for interfaith discussion.
– Guidelines for moderating conversations and fostering respectful exchanges.
– Tools for tracking engagement and measuring impact.
Activity: Practical Exercise: Set up a mock online group and create discussion guidelines for peaceful conversations.
Module 5: Addressing Hate Speech and Misinformation Online
Objective: Understand how to identify and combat hate speech, misinformation, and extremism in online spaces.
Content:
– Types of hate speech and their impact on religious harmony.
– Effective strategies for countering hate speech and misinformation.
– Reporting mechanisms for harmful content.
Activity: Case Study Analysis: Review a real-world example of online hate speech and discuss how to handle it.
Module 6: Training Others to Facilitate Social Media-Based Dialogue
Objective: Equip trainers with the tools and skills to train others on using social media for interfaith dialogue and peace.
Content:
– Adult learning principles and interactive methods for training.
– Facilitating workshops on interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding.
– Evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of social media training.
Activity: Training Simulation: Participants design and conduct a mini-workshop on using social media for interfaith dialogue.
Training Methodology
– Interactive Lectures: Presentations on the concepts of interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and social media strategies.
– Group Discussions: Collaborative sessions to share experiences and discuss challenges and solutions.
– Practical Exercises: Hands-on activities like content creation, group setup, and role plays to practice new skills.
– Case Studies: Reviewing real-world examples of successful social media peace campaigns.
– Peer Learning: Participants share ideas and feedback on how they have used social media for promoting peace in their communities.
– Simulations: Trainers will run mock sessions where participants engage in virtual interfaith dialogues and content creation.
– Resources Required
Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and others for training.
– Training Materials: Presentation slides, handouts, and guides on creating social media campaigns.
– Video and Audio Equipment: For recording lessons, case studies, and content creation exercises.
Internet Access: High-speed internet connection to access digital resources and run online activities.
– Facilitators: Experienced trainers in social media advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and peacebuilding.
Evaluation and Impact Measurement
– Pre- and Post-Training Surveys: Assess knowledge and confidence before and after the training.
– Content and Engagement Analytics: Track the success of campaigns and online dialogue initiatives.
– Feedback Forms: Gather participant feedback to improve future training sessions.
– Follow-up Sessions: Check the implementation of learned skills in real-life scenarios through follow-up meetings or online interactions.
Conclusion
The TOT program will empower a network of youth and women leaders, enabling them to use social media as a tool for interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and religious tolerance. The trainers who complete the program will be equipped to teach others how to promote peace through digital engagement, creating a ripple effect that leads to greater religious harmony in both local and global contexts.
By fostering dialogue, understanding, and respect across digital platforms, GUHR envisions a world where social media becomes a powerful force for global peace and interfaith unity.
Da Khwendo Ghag
Sisters’ Voices Initiative by GUHR
Overview
“Da Khwendo Ghag”, meaning “Sisters’ Voices” in English, is an initiative by Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR) that specifically focuses on empowering Afghan refugee women and girls. The initiative seeks to amplify their voices, advocate for their health rights, and address issues such as gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV), and access to education. It provides a platform for Afghan refugee women and girls to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, aiming to create social change and raise awareness of their needs within the refugee community.
Objectives
– Empowerment through Advocacy and Education: The primary goal of “Da Khwendo Ghag” is to empower Afghan refugee women and girls by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for their human rights, particularly in the areas of health, education, and safety.
– Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue: The initiative offers a safe space for women and girls to express themselves, exchange stories, and raise concerns about the challenges they face as refugees, fostering solidarity within the community.
– Leadership Development: The initiative aims to cultivate leadership skills in refugee women and girls, preparing them to take on active roles in advocating for their rights and in community-building efforts.
Activities and Approach
Workshops and Training:
– Leadership and Advocacy Training equips participants with skills to become effective advocates for gender equality, health rights, and education.
– Health Rights Education focuses on key areas such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and child marriage, ensuring that participants have the knowledge to make informed decisions about their lives.
Community Dialogues:
– Sisters’ Voices organizes regular community dialogues, where women and girls can share their stories and discuss issues related to gender-based violence, education, and health.
– These dialogues aim to raise awareness, build solidarity, and encourage the development of collective action within the community.
Mentorship and Networking:
– Participants are connected with mentors who provide guidance, helping them navigate their rights and providing support in their advocacy efforts.
– The initiative also fosters networking between Afghan refugee women and girls, as well as with local organizations, allowing for cross-border support in building community-driven solutions.
Advocacy Campaigns:
– “Da Khwendo Ghag” supports participants in launching advocacy campaigns focused on issues like child marriage, gender-based violence, and the importance of education.
– Policy advocacy is a key aspect of the initiative, ensuring that the voices of Afghan refugee women and girls are heard in discussions about refugee rights and gender equality.
Impact
– Increased Awareness: Afghan refugee women and girls gain critical knowledge about their rights, including their health rights and access to education.
– Leadership Development: Through workshops and mentorship, participants develop their leadership and advocacy skills, empowering them to take on leadership roles in their communities.
– Strengthened Community Advocacy: The initiative creates a strong network of empowered women and girls who can collaborate and advocate for improved conditions for Afghan refugees, leading to positive changes in their lives.
– Social Change: “Da Khwendo Ghag” fosters a culture of peace, equality, and justice among Afghan refugee communities, advocating for gender equality and better living conditions.
Conclusion
“Da Khwendo Ghag” – Sisters’ Voices – is a transformative initiative by Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR) aimed at amplifying the voices of Afghan refugee women and girls. Through education, advocacy, and community dialogues, the initiative empowers women and girls to advocate for their health rights, gender equality, and education, creating lasting change both within their communities and beyond. By fostering solidarity, leadership, and collective action, “Da Khwendo Ghag” plays a vital role in improving the lives of Afghan refugees and strengthening their role in the pursuit of social justice.
1325 Awareness Campaign
Girls for Peace
Overview
The 1325 Awareness Campaign: Girls for Peace is an initiative by Girls United for Human Rights (GUHR) aimed at raising awareness about the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. This resolution calls for the active involvement of women in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and security processes. The campaign specifically targets young women and girls, empowering them to take a leading role in promoting peace, security, and gender equality in their communities.
Objectives
– Raise Awareness about UNSCR 1325 and its relevance to peacebuilding, gender equality, and women’s rights.
– Empower Girls and Young Women to actively participate in peace processes and conflict resolution.
– Foster Understanding of the importance of women’s leadership in peace and security issues.
– Advocate for the Inclusion of Women and Girls in all levels of decision-making related to peace and conflict.
– Strengthen Community Resilience by promoting the role of young women in creating peaceful and inclusive societies.
Activities
Workshops and Training Sessions:
– Educational Workshops on UNSCR 1325: These workshops will provide participants with an understanding of the resolution and its principles, focusing on how young women and girls can contribute to peace and security in their communities.
– Peacebuilding Skills Training: Interactive sessions to teach leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
– Youth Leadership Development: Targeted at building the leadership capabilities of girls and young women to enable them to lead peacebuilding initiatives.
Community Dialogues and Advocacy Campaigns:
Public Awareness Campaigns:
– Through social media, posters, and community events, the campaign will raise awareness about UNSCR 1325 and its implications for women’s role in peace and security.
– Community Dialogues: Engaging young women, community leaders, and peacebuilders in discussions on the importance of including women and girls in decision-making processes related to peace and conflict.
– Storytelling and Testimonies: Encouraging girls and young women to share their personal stories of involvement in peacebuilding efforts, showcasing their leadership roles and experiences.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement:
– Advocacy for Women’s Representation in Peace Processes: Working with local governments, international organizations, and community leaders to advocate for the inclusion of women and girls in peace negotiations and conflict resolution.
– Policy Dialogue: Organizing forums where young women can present recommendations on how to improve the inclusion of women in peacebuilding processes and national security policies.
Partnership and Networking:
– Collaboration with Local and International Partners: Partnering with other organizations that work on gender equality, peace, and security to strengthen the campaign’s impact.
– Creating Networks of Young Peacebuilders: Facilitating the formation of networks and platforms where young women can collaborate, share resources, and amplify their advocacy efforts for peace.
Impact
– Increased Knowledge and Awareness: Girls and young women will gain a comprehensive understanding of UNSCR 1325, peacebuilding principles, and the importance of women’s participation in peace and security.
– Empowered Youth Leaders: Participants will acquire leadership and advocacy skills that enable them to become active leaders in their communities and globally in peacebuilding and gender equality efforts.
– Increased Women’s Participation: The campaign aims to advocate for the inclusion of women and girls in peace negotiations, policy-making, and conflict resolution processes at the local, national, and international levels.
– Strengthened Peace and Security: By empowering young women to take active roles in promoting peace, security, and gender equality, the campaign will contribute to the creation of more resilient and peaceful communities.
Conclusion
The 1325 Awareness Campaign: Girls for Peace is a vital initiative that aims to mobilize and empower young women and girls in understanding the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and their role in peace and security. By raising awareness, offering training, and fostering youth leadership, the campaign empowers young women to engage in peacebuilding efforts, create inclusive communities, and advocate for policies that promote gender equality and peace. This campaign helps to ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard and considered in all aspects of peace and security, building a stronger foundation for long-term global peace.
