The Asia Foundation

Promoting gender equity and women's rights within an Islamic framework in South Asia, as part of a regional program across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan through: developing a training curriculum for Muslim leaders on women's human rights; fostering an exchange of ideas and discourse in South Asia on the relationship of Islam, human rights, and women's rights; creating a locally appropriate training curriculum for religious leaders in South Asia to advance social justice for women; and expanding and strengthening regional networks of Muslim scholars and leaders working to advance women's rights in the context of Islam.

Local Partners:

International Islamic University

Promoting gender equity and women's rights within an Islamic framework in South Asia, as part of a regional program across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan through: developing a training curriculum for Muslim leaders on women's human rights; fostering an exchange of ideas and discourse in South Asia on the relationship of Islam, human rights, and women's rights; creating a locally appropriate training curriculum for religious leaders in South Asia to advance social justice for women; and expanding and strengthening regional networks of Muslim scholars and leaders working to advance women's rights in the context of Islam.

Acquisition and distribution of 38,945 books and journals to 84 schools, universities, public libraries, and other institutions throughout Pakistan.

Providing books and library services to children of primary schools in the rural areas of Islamabad where they do not have library facilities for their students. Cultivating and developing reading habits among young students.

Local Partners:

Bright Star Mobile Library

Enabling a local NGO to hold a one-day conference examining the disconnect between Pakistan and the U.S. after the events of 9/11 and covering both Pakistani and American perspectives.

Local Partners:

Center for International Strategic Studies

Regional partnership with the Department for International Development (U.K.), including 7 countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Thailand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka), that is working to improve state-society relations in conflict-affected areas throughout the region. Helping to reduce mistrust and alienation between conflict-affected communities and state authorities. Strengthening and expanding locally driven efforts to improve governance and resolve disputes. Contributing to improved understanding of aid effectiveness in conflict-affected and fragile states.

Increasing citizen's knowledge of and participation in community dispute resolution, and enhancing the ability of the North-West Frontier Province government to facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflict by strengthening community dispute resolution mechanisms.

Local Partners:

Free and Fair Elections Network; Just Peace International; United Rural Development Organization; Value Resources

Supporting the running of an already existing Drop-in Center for street children in Karachi.

Local Partner:

Pakistan Voluntary Health and Nutrition Association

Enhancing gender equity by expanding women's access to justice and human rights. Increasing women's empowerment by expanding their knowledge of their rights. Combating gender-based violence. Strengthening the capacity of Pakistani organizations to advocate for gender equity, women's empowerment, and the elimination of gender-based violence.

Local Partners:

Anjuman Falah-o-Bahbood Aid Council (AFAC); Awareness on Human Rights, Social Development and Active society (AHSAS); Association Behavior for Knowledge Transformation; Association of Global Humanists & Ethics; Aurat Association; Aware Girls; Azat Foundation; Community Support Concern; Dehi Ijtamai Taraqati Social Workers Council; Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment; Forum; Foundation for Integrated Development Action; Grass-Root Organization for Human Development; Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS); HWA Foundation; Kainaat Development Association; Participatory Educational and Community Empowerment (PEACE); Society for Awareness, Advocacy and Development (SAAD); Society For Empowering Human Resources (SEHER); Sindh Development Society; Society for Advancement of Community Health, Education & Training; Society for Uplifting Community; South Punjab NGO; Women Welfare Organization Poonch

Enhancing the transparency and legitimacy of scheduled and unscheduled elections in South Asia through cost-effective Asian international observation. Building community-service organizations (CSOs) education and election monitoring capacity by facilitating regional cooperation and information sharing. Improving the quality of planned and unplanned elections in South Asia by providing targeted sub-grants to local CSOs for priority voter education and election observation.

Local Partner:

Free and Fair Election Network

Support the publishing of IPP's 3rd and 4th Annual Reports, 2009-2010 and 2010-11: Pulling Back from the Abyss: Public Choices and Societal Obligations and State of the Economy:Devolution in Pakistan.

Local Partner:

Institute of Public Policy

Researching private healthcare providers in Pakistan and documenting their experiences and challenges. Identifying opportunities for replication and scaling up of innovative project approaches. Supporting efforts to finance innovative programs geared toward equitable expansion of private sector initiatives for pro-poor health service delivery.

Supporting emergency relief and regeneration efforts in the wake of the devastating 2011 floods in Pakistan.

A comprehensive, evidence-based document (based on meta-analysis of existing literature and an analysis of a perception survey) on the cost of economic non-cooperation to consumers.

Local Partner:

Sustainable Development Policy Institute

Conducting research on the socio-legal status and condition of single women and its impact on their lives, both individually and as a marginalized group. Creating a greater awareness of social and legal rights among single women.

Local Partners:

Simorgh Resource Center

Improving state-society relations necessary for peace and stability in countries and subnational regions affected by protracted conflict and fragility.

Local Partner:

Collective for Social Sciences

Conducting a retrospective review of interventions in the justice sector over the last 12 years in order to identify lessons learned to inform current programming.

Working primarily with the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability and other partners to strengthen citizen voice through policy advocacy and government oversight. Enhancing capacity through organizational development and targeted training. Improving accountability through public-private partnership projects.

Local Partners:

Akhtar Hameed Khan Resource Centre; Awaz Foundation Pakistan, Centre for Development Services; Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan; DAMAN - Development Through Awareness and Motivation; DEVCON An Association for Rural Development; Dir Area Development Organization; Goth Seengar Foundation; Governance Institutes Network International; The Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan; Participatory Educational Awareness and Community Empowerment Balochistan (PEACE); Participatory Efforts for Healthy Environment; Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability; People Empowerment and Consulting Enterprises (PEACE); Semiotics Consultants (Private) Ltd.

Building increased levels of trust and credibility between citizens and the state in Pakistan and contributing to a more effective, transparent, and accountable government that addresses the critical challenges facing Pakistan today.

Local Partners:

AIMS Organization; Association for Creation of Employment; Association of Women's Awareness and Rural Development; Awaz Foundation/Centre for Development Services (Awaz CDS); Baanhn Beli; Basic Education for Awareness Reforms and Empowerment; Bedari; Caravan; Cavish Development Foundation; Center for Peace & Development; Centre for Peace & Development Initiatives; Community Development Program; Free and Fair Election Network; Goth Seengar Foundation; Indus Resource Center; Integrated Regional Support Program; Karwan Community Development Organization; Khwendo Kor; Mathini Women Welfare Association; Paiman Alumni Trust Fund; Pakistan Rural Social Welfare Organization; Pattan Development Organization; Punjab Lok Sujjag; Sangat Development Foundation; Strengthening Participatory Organization; Sudhaar Society; Sungi Development Foundation; South Asia Forum for Human Rights; Takhleeq Foundation; United Rural Development Organization

Training course in criminal law for judges and legal practitioners from Pakistan.

Local Partners:

Judiciary in each province

Supporting 133 low-income young women to attain university and graduate education in hard sciences, medicine, and engineering.

Local Partners:

Care Foundation

Fellowship honoring the Foundation's former President, awarded to a prominent Pakistani journalist and research consultant with the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, Islamabad, to conduct research for six months at the New America Foundation, Washington, DC.

Roundtable discussion featuring Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya, a senior diplomat in India's Ministry of External Affairs, and an Asia Foundation regional security studies fellow. The ambassador conducted research at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace focusing on U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan and its implications for India and the region.

At the request of the Chief Minister, Government of Punjab, providing support to the Government of Punjab’s roll-out of the Jhang Model to combat corruption in multiple districts of Punjab.

Increasing women’s participation in governance in KP and enabling women councilors to more actively and effectively participate in local decision making in Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Mansehra, and Haripur districts.

Distributing 900 immediate flood relief packages in Swat, Nowshera and Muzaffargarh districts, which included food and non-food items such as tea, sugar, oil, plastic sheets, kitchen utensils, hygiene products and basic medical items.

Nationwide program fostering an enabling environment for coordinated and effective domestic election monitoring; Increasing citizens’ capacity to participate meaningfully in democratic and electoral processes; Enhancing women’s participation in political processes.

Nationwide documentary competition for youth aged 17-23 on why democracy is necessary for Pakistan; Awareness and promotion campaign carried out through print, electronic, and social media; Documentaries produced and shared widely with public.

Community-oriented policing and alternative dispute resolution in Balochistan, implemented in Khuzdar, Loralai, Quetta, Ziarat, and Pishin districts.

Acquisition and distribution of approximately 40,000 books to Pakistani schools, universities, libraries, research centers and other institutions throughout Pakistan.

National university scholarship program to provide 200 scholarships for young women to pursue higher education degrees in a variety of fields including engineering and medicine.

Study of the viability of local professional groups, particularly barber associations, as a vehicle for information dissemination in two tehsils (sub-districts) of Rawalpindi and Jhang districts.

Funding for recipients of the award created to honor the late Chair of the Foundation's Board, in four separate programs: China (clean energy); India (US-China relations vis a vis India); Pakistan (women's issues); and Malaysia (online independent media).

Discussion co-sponsored by The Asia Foundation and the South Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies featuring remarks by Ms. Indrani Bagchi, a prominent Indian journalist and The Asia Foundation's Chang-Lin Visiting Fellow. Ms. Bagchi also spoke at a discussion, co-sponsored by the Foundation and the John L. Thornton China Center at The Brookings Institution, entitled "China's Place in Indian Foreign Policy", where her remarks addressed current themes and drivers of Indian foreign policy, focusing on India's relations with China, Pakistan, and the United States.

Field-based research in Lahore and Vehari districts on the situation of under-trial prisoners; Disseminating a report to a wide audience through electronic media and press briefings.

National grant-making program in collaboration with the Aurat Foundation focused on gender equity, women’s empowerment, combating gender-based violence, and strengthening the capacity of Pakistani organizations that advocate for these causes.

Center for Research & Security Studies; Human Development Organization; Intermedia; National Commission on the Status of Women; Pakistan Association for Mental Health; South Asia Forum for Human Rights; VOICE for Poor & Needy; Society for Human Empowerment & Rural Development; Sudhaar and Zia Siddique Foundation

Multiple interventions in the area of human rights; Supporting Pakistan's National Commission on the Status of Women and the Ministry of Human Rights.

A regional project to enhance the transparency and legitimacy of elections in South Asia through cost-effective Asian international observations; Building civil society organization (CSO) voter education and election monitoring capacity by facilitating regional cooperation and information sharing; Improving the quality of planned and unplanned elections in Nepal and Bangladesh by providing targeted sub-grants to local CSOs for priority voter education and election observation.

Support for publishing the Institute’s 2010 Annual Report, Pulling Back from the Abyss: Public Choices and Societal Obligations.

Advancing women’s rights within an Islamic framework in partnership with religious leaders; Development of a curriculum on women’s rights, including modules on women and the family, women and political rights, and women’s education, and economic independence.

Consultations with scholars, academics, media representatives, students, members of civil society, practitioners, and representatives of the government to examine and review options for an international conference concerning Shariah and issues regarding its interpretation and implementation; Convening the conference.

Increasing citizens’ knowledge of and participation in community dispute resolution and enhancing the ability of the state to facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflict by strengthening community dispute resolution mechanisms in Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Abbottabad, and Mansehra districts of KP.

Series of lectures conducted in The Asia Foundation's Islamabad office to inform development activity through the sharing of current research and analysis. The KDF brings content experts in a variety of fields to engage with the Foundation's staff, representatives of civil society, and donor organizations.

International conference that brought together senior government officials and development specialists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Korea to identify and discuss some of their key development and security challenges.

Forum for dialogue on the current status and future course of justice sector reforms at the district level in Pakistan. Participants included members of the police, bar, district judiciary, civil society, law schools, prosecutors, and representatives of donor agencies.

Mapping the membership and spread of professional associations in three districts—Lodhran in Punjab, Khairpur in Sindh and Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)—to assess the strengths and weaknesses of leveraging professional associations for community outreach activities.

Assessment carried out by consultants in selected districts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and KP to identify major obstacles to judicial efficiency.

Fellowship for a foreign service officer at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to conduct research and engage in discussions with policy specialists on challenges on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border and the implications for U.S.-India relations; Participation of four foreign service officers in a two-week course on U.S. Foreign Policy at George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs, followed by a study tour to promote greater understanding of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues that may influence U.S.-India relations.

Promoting a school culture that encourages reading for pleasure through activities such as training librarians, donating books, and conducting reading promotion activities.

Support for two NCSW staff members and a consultation on a strategic plan for the NCSW.

Installing a water filtration plant for provision of clean water in Kasur, Punjab.

Study of current and prospective initiatives to promote Pak-Afghan trade and other track-two initiatives as a means to facilitate the Pak-Afghan peace process.

Training and enhancement of skills and capacities of researchers, producing research, and creating networks to deepen research implemented in KP.

Review of interventions in the justice sector over the last 12 years to inform current programming.

Scoping study for an index at the district level that focuses on governance issues affecting farmers.

AIMS Organization; All Women's Advancement and Resource Development; Association for Creation of Employment; Baanhn Beli; Basic Education for Awareness Reforms & Empowerment; Caravan; Cavish Development Organization; Center for Peace and Development; Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives; Community Development Program; Goth Seengar Foundation; Indus Resource Center; Integrated Regional Support Program; Karwan; Khwendo Kor; Mathini Women Welfare Association; Paiman Alumni Trust Fund; Pak Public Development Society; Pattan Development Organization; Punjab Lok Sujjag; Sangat Development Foundation; South Asia Forum for Human Rights; Strengthening Participatory Organization; Sudhaar; Sungi Development Foundation; Takhleeq Foundation; Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability; and United Rural Development Organization

Nationwide program supporting transparency, accountability, and electoral processes in Pakistan through multiple interventions; Improving the responsiveness of elected representatives to their constituents; Enhancing electoral reforms and citizen participation in democratic processes; Improving civic education on democratic rights and responsibilities; Building media capacity to report on democracy and governance themes; Enhancing the Free and Fair Election Network's capacity to operate as an independent civil society network.

Advocacy campaign to decrease the male to female registration differentials in the Computerized National Identity Card program in model districts; Assessment study of male to female registration status and associated campaign with analysis of reasons for low registration among women.

Holding the Balochistan Economic Development Forum to provide stakeholders a common platform to analyze provincial economic issues and opportunities in order to contribute to planning for economic development of the province.

Release of findings and recommendations of companion reports compiled in "America's Role in Asia: Asian and American Views," with public events in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

"What's Next for Pakistan?"

A panel discussion featuring three influential Pakistani analysts on poverty and economic policy, human rights and gender, and a widely read columnist in Pakistan. The panelists provided insights into the key challenges facing Pakistan and possible opportunities in light of the Obama Administration's Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy as well as the Kerry-Lugar and Berman legislation.

Increasing women's participation in governance in the NWFP and enabling women councilors to more actively and effectively participate in local decisionmaking implemented in districts Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Mansehra, and Haripur.

Support for community-oriented policing and alternative dispute resolution in Balochistan, implemented in districts Kuzdar, Loralai, Quetta, Ziarat and Pishin.

Nationwide youth civic education project strengthening democratic and electoral processes and civic education for young people in Pakistan by targeting youth in colleges and universities in addition to out-of-school youth in order to prepare them for active civic participation.

Acquisition and distribution of approximately 90,000 text, reference books, educational, and professional materials to Pakistani schools, universities, libraries, research centers, and other institutions throughout Pakistan.

Organizing and training groups of women in non-traditional production methods and business skills for livelihood development. Implemented in: district Quetta in Balochistan; districts Sukker and Khairpur in Sindh; districts Mansehra, Haripur, Abbotabad, and Chitral in NWFP; and Rawalpindi in Punjab.

Developing and implementing an interactive community mobilization strategy for achieving 70 percent TB case detection and 85 percent cure rates in partnership with non-governmental organizations, community based organization networks, and public sector facilities at the grassroots level in 20 Directly Observed Treatment Short course districts nationwide.

Center for Research & Security Studies; Human Development Organization; Intermedia; National Commission on the Status of Women; Pakistan Association for Mental Health; South Asia Forum for Human Rights; Society for Human Empowerment & Rural Development; Sudhaar and Zia Siddique Foundation; VOICE for Poor & Needy.

Multiple civil society interventions in human rights; support to Pakistan's National Commission on the Status of Women and Ministry of Human Rights. This program is implemented nationwide.

Advancing women's rights within an Islamic framework in partnership with religious leaders; Development of a curriculum on women's rights, including modules on women and the family, women and political rights, and women's education and economic independence.

A series of consultations with scholars, academics, media representatives, students, members of civil society, practitioners, and representatives of the government to examine and review various options for an international conference concerning Shariah.

Assisting, advocating, and empowering grassroots communities, organizations, government, and civil society to work toward justice and peace through conflict transformation methods, implemented in districts Peshawar and Abbottabad of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Increasing citizens' knowledge of and participation in community dispute resolution and enhancing the ability of the state to facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflict by strengthening community dispute resolution mechanisms implemented in districts Peshawar, Nowshehra, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Abbottabad, and Mansehra of the NWFP.

Series of lectures conducted in The Asia Foundation's Islamabad office to inform development activity through the sharing of current research and analysis. The KDF brings content experts in a variety of fields to engage with the Foundation's staff, representatives of civil society, and donor organizations.

Study mapping the membership and spread of rural associations in three districts to assess the strengths and weaknesses of leveraging professional associations for community outreach activities with a special focus on barbers' associations implemented in District Lodhran in Punjab, District Khairpur in Sindh, and District Mansehra in NWFP.

All Women's Advancement and Resource Development; Aurat Foundation; Baanhn Beli; Cavish Development Foundation; Center for Peace & Development Initiatives; Community Development Program; South Asia Forum for Human Rights; Strengthening Participatory Organization; Sungi Development Foundation; Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability and United Rural Development Organization.

Nationwide program fostering an enabling environment for coordinated and effective domestic monitoring of the 2009 local government elections; Increasing female and male citizens' capacity to participate meaningfully in democratic and electoral processes; Enhancing women's participation in political processes.

Working to install a water filtration plant for provision of clean water in Kasur, Punjab.

A study commissioned to a consultant of current and prospective initiatives to promote Pak-Afghan trade and other Track 2 initiatives as a means to facilitate the Pak-Afghan peace process.

Contributing to filling the research deficit in the NWFP and broader region through training and enhancement of skills and capacities of researchers, production of research, and creation of networks to deepen research implemented in NWFP.

Scoping study, commissioned to a consultant, for an index at the district level that focuses on governance issues affecting farmers and growers.

AIMS Organization; All Women's Advancement and Resource Development; Association for Creation of Employment; Baanhn Beli; Basic Education for Awareness Reforms & Empowerment; Caravan; Cavish; Center for Development for Peace; Center for Peace & Development Initiatives; Community Development Program; Indus Resource Center; Integrated Regional Support Program; Khwendo Kor; Mathini Women Welfare Association; Paiman Alumni Trust Fund; Pak Public Development Society; Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency; Pattan Development Organization; Sajjan; Sanghat Development Foundation; Strengthening Participatory Organization; Sudhaar; Sungi Development Foundation; Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability; United Rural Development Organization.

Multiple interventions in continued support of free and fair elections in Pakistan. This multi-dimensional program includes components related to domestic elections monitoring, research and surveys, general civic and voter education, increasing participation of women in elections, and training in elections for media. This program is implemented nationwide.

AIMS Organization; All Women's Advancement and Resource Development; Association for Creation of Employment; Baanhn Beli; Basic Education for Awareness Reforms & Empowerment; Caravan; Cavish Development Organization; Center for Development and Peace; Center for Peace & Development Initiatives; Community Development Program; Goth Seengar Foundation; Indus Resource Center; Integrated Regional Support Program; Karwan; Khwendo Kor; Mathini Women Welfare Association; Paiman Alumni Trust Fund; Pak Public Development Society; Pattan Development Organization; Punjab Lok Sujjag; Sangat Development Foundation; South Asia Forum for Human Rights; Strengthening Participatory Organization; Sudhaar; Sungi Development Foundation; Takhleeq Foundation; Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability; United Rural Development Organization.

Nationwide program supporting transparency, accountability and electoral processes in Pakistan through multiple interventions; Improving the responsiveness of elected representatives to their constituents; Enhancing electoral reforms and citizen participation in democratic processes; Improving civic education on democratic rights and responsibilities; Building media capacity to report on democracy and governance themes; Enhancing the Free and Fair Election Network's capacity to operate as an independent civil society network.

Focused advocacy campaign to decrease the male to female Computerized National Identity Card registration differentials in model districts; Assessment study of male to female registration status and associated campaign with analysis of reasons for low registration among women.

Holding the "Balochistan Economic Development Forum" to provide stakeholders a common platform to analyze provincial economic issues and opportunities in order to contribute to planning for economic development of the province.

Mobilizing women voters in Pakistan; Supporting local Civil Society Organization (CSO) partners’ direct civic and voter education outreach; Engaging religious leaders and youth; Door to door outreach; Printing voter education materials and the production of radio and television programming; Support to FAFEN member organizations to adapt innovative modules for adultaudiences; Continued collaboration with CSO partners to explore innovative methods and strategies to engage with stakeholders in order to foster women’s participation in democratic processes; Continued activities surrounding meetings with community members and engaging with religious leaders.

Support for foreign policy experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to attend a regional conference in New Delhi to discuss America’s Role in Asia.

Increasing women’s participation in the local government system and enabling women councilors to more actively and effectively participate in local decision-making. These associations go beyond party affiliations and politics to address the common interests of women representatives and citizens.

Developing institutional mechanisms through which the community and government collectively take action to promote peace and security in Balochistan as part of the Balochistan Policing Project. The project also includes capacity building to improve security and the rule of law by minimizing social and political exclusion; Supporting representative provincial and local institutions and civil society; Working with existing local organizations and institutions to the extent that is possible and feasible to address peace and security issues. This project endeavors to institutionalize mechanisms of Alternative Dispute Resolution to supplement law and order maintenance by the police.

Acquisition and distribution of approximately 75,000 text, reference books, educational, and professional materials each year to Pakistani schools, universities, libraries, research centers and other institutions throughout Pakistan.

Influencing decision-making by identifying the key issues facing civil society and by identifying key figures and bodies that hold the decision-making power; Initiating the process of consultations and linkages between the relevant ministry agencies, top media personnel, and civil society organizations as part of the Civil Society Dialogue Project; Creating awareness about the Human Resource Division among civil society organizations and key government institutions; Initiating the process of consultations and linkages between civil society organizations and government agencies.

Paiman Alumni Trust Fund; Pattan Development Organization; Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO); Sanghat Development Foundation; Center for Peace & Development Initiatives (CPDI); Basic Education for Awareness Reforms & Empowerment (BEFARE); Baanhn Beli; Cavish; Community Development Program (CDP); Center for Peace & Development (CPD); United Rural Development Organization (URDO); All Women's Advancement and Resource Development (AWARD); Integrated Regional Support Program (IRSP); Indus Resource Center (IRC); Association for Creation of Employment (ACE); Sungi Development Foundation; AIMS Organization; Khwendo Kor (KK); Mathini Women Welfare Association (MWWA); Sajjan; Sudhaar.

Constituency Relations Program (CRP) implemented under the Foundation’s support for the free and fair elections in Pakistan program. The objective of the pilot CRP is to support the formation of a Constituency Relations Group in each targeted National Assembly Constituency in order to hold elected leaders accountable. Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) is the first domestic election observation effort in Pakistan to use a long-term, nationwide, statistically driven methodology following international standards and best practices. FAFEN’s mandate is both to strengthen electoral processes and to energize citizens to demand greater accountability from all democratic processes and institutions in the country. The Foundation is extending its support to FAFEN and member organizations to achieve shared objectives, support internal capacity building, constituency relations, and the parliament watch component of the program. The primary objective is to Support FAFEN to make the transition from a single-purpose election observation coalition to a sustainable network, filling an important gap in Pakistani civil society. The program also promotes electoral transparency and reform through statistical rigor and insightful recommendations to relevant authorities and encourages active citizenship by empowering communities to voice priorities and demand responsiveness.

A pilot effort to uplift women from poverty through non-traditional approaches by introducing high value added processes that are suitable for on-farm and off-farm activities; Establishing self-supporting Mobile Business Service Units for women, enabling them to organize in groups and take business knowledge and skills directly to clients.

Developing and implementing an interactive community mobilization strategy for achieving 70% TB case detection and 85% cure rate, in partnership with NGO and CBO networks and public sector facilities at the grassroots level in 20 DOTS districts nationwide.

Strengthening the leadership and advocacy capacity of women representatives in North-West-Frontier-Province (N.W.F.P).

Assisting, advocating, and empowering grassroots communities, organizations, governments, and the civil society to work toward justice and peace through conflict transformation methods.

Knowledge Development Forum is a series of lectures conducted in The Asia Foundation Islamabad office. The lectures inform development activity through the sharing of current research and analysis. The KDF brings content experts in a variety of fields to engage with the Foundation’s staff, representatives of civil society, and donor organizations.

Youth civic education project strengthening democratic and electoral processes and civic education for young people in Pakistan by targeting youth in colleges and universities, in addition to out-of-school youth, in order to prepare them for active civic education participation.

Organization of Book Fairs with the support of the Balochistan University. 12,000 books were distributed in two different exhibitions held this year.

Luncheon featuring The Asia Foundation’s Afghanistan Deputy Country Representative, Dr. George Varughese and then-Pakistan Country Representative, Mr. Hamid Sharif. The event was moderated by Ms. Ellen Laipson, President and CEO of the Henry L. Stimson Center and an Asia Foundation trustee.  Dr. Varughese and Mr. Sharif provided an insight into the political developments in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Additionally, the luncheon included a presentation of the findings of The Asia Foundation survey, Afghanistan in 2006, the largest public opinion poll ever administered in Afghanistan. 

Conduct a baseline survey and consultation and orientation sessions focused on the health monitoring committees created under the Sindh Local Government; Test the integration of legal empowerment, particularly for women and disadvantaged groups.  Conduct seminars and distribute brochures containing information about these committees, their roles and
responsibilities, and citizen access to them. 

Organize training workshops in NWFP, targeting college and madrassah students, teachers, and out-of-school-youth, encouraging them to participate in election activities.  Organize a
debate competition to develop interest and disseminate information to college students

Distribution of 50,483 books and journals to universities, NGOs, schools, government
departments, and libraries.

Establish a network of Freedom of Information activists and implement a range of activities
aimed at awareness raising, lobbying and policy advocacy. Initiate and support policy
dialogue for strengthening the existing legislation on citizens’ right to information.

Establish a Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Pakistan--an independent coalition of
civil society organizations aimed at promoting democratic processes, good governance and
free and fair elections.

Develop a white paper on the issues faced by consumers in consumer financing and related
insurance services within the current regulatory framework.

Study to identify key operational and policy challenges, improve understanding of approaches and systems that render these challenges, identify opportunities for institutional reform, and provide an operational strategy for development. The study provides a better
understanding of the underlying systems, approaches, and mechanics important for pro-poor growth and development.

Establish self-supporting Mobile Business Service Units for women to facilitate the
provision of business advice to peoples’ doorsteps.  It enables women to organize in groups
and take business knowledge, skills and linkages directly to clients.

Production of a video to supplement voter education programs in Balochistan and NWFP, to
inspire youth to vote and become responsible citizens; the video is also used as a resource
in classrooms to educate youth on the voting process.

Luncheon discussion featuring The Asia Foundation’s former Country Representative in
Pakistan, Mr. Hamid Sharif.  The discussion focused on the response to U.S. foreign policy
and the situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Conduct empirical research on the enforcement and impact of the Offence of Zina
(extra-marital sexual activity) in the Hudood Ordinance, 1979. This study looks at the
criminal justice system through evidence collected from case law under the ordinance. It
maps different stages of the criminal justice system, from registering the case until the
conclusion of trials. It is a criminological and sociological analysis of the use and
application of the Zina Ordinance, and its impact on men and women.

Set up Women Resource Centers and Women Councilor Associations in Northwest Frontier
Province to provide women a forum where they can discuss common issues, enhance their
understanding of problems, and gain access to information. 

To organize training workshops in districts of Balochistan to develop interest among college
and madrassah students in elections and voting procedures. Also organize debate competition among college students to raise awareness of the election process.

Production of a video “Putting the Police in Order,” an examination of current police
reforms in Pakistan.  The documentary highlights the challenges and successes of law
enforcement in Pakistan and creates awareness among citizens of the duties of police
vis-à-vis the common citizen; and enables them to take action in a lawful manner when these duties are not being fulfilled.

Raise public awareness of trafficking in vulnerable areas of Pakistan.  Collaborate with
community organizations in research and system design, capacity building, and public
awareness material development.  Create district advocacy groups, form provincial
committees, develop radio segments and cassettes with anti-trafficking messages.

Work with religious leaders to advocate on the importance of girls’ education and the right
of women to live a life free from violence; Development of booklets on women’s rights and the social role of women in Islam;  Workshops for ulema (prayer leaders) and quarterly newsletters.

For investigative journalism training workshops for journalists from across Pakistan; and to
improve the overall quality of journalism.  Development of a specialized curriculum for
investigative journalism based on inputs from roundtable/consultative discussions.

Increase public awareness of trafficking and mobilize communities to prevent it.  The focus
is on the customary forms of internal trafficking, which is an area that is less recognized
and has been mostly neglected.  Arrange community mobilization meetings and seminars.

Conduct a study to assess and identify the long-term root causes of conflict in Pakistan and
their immediate triggers; and the key actors who promote peace.  Analyze the underlying
factors of conflict in terms of strategic, political, economic, and social issues. The study
looks at potential strategies and options for donors working in these areas.

Support and increase meaningful participation in elections by involving youth, women, and other groups of people typically disengaged from democratic processes. Coordinate activities pertaining to elections. Observe all aspects of pre and post-election activities--including the integrity of the new electoral roll, helping to reduce violence through coordinated domestic monitoring, increasing women’s participation, and training media to report on election processes.

Organize training and workshops for college and madrassah students, out-of-school-youth, and teachers in tribal districts of Pakistan in order to build their interest around elections
and to provide them with necessary information regarding voter registration and procedures.

Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization-recommended strategy of
Directly Observed Treatment Short Courses through an interactive community mobilization strategy. Reduce morbidity and mortality by enhancing the role of other stakeholders,
including the private sector and communities.