Media Network
Rahnuma-FPAP has a large Media Network which was established in 2005 with 20 representatives from the electronic and print media and growing ever since. On regular basis Rahnuma-FPAP organizes a minimum of two capacity building workshops in a year and maintains a constant contact with its members via emails. Media support Rahnuam-FPAP initiatives to strengthen human rights and to campaign against gender discrimination, reproductive and sexual health and rights and reproductive health. Rahnuma-FPAP media network has a major role in the success of its campaigns.
Amir Sohail is a broadcaster at Mast FM 103 radio channel. This channel is one of the first news and current affairs FM radio channel in Pakistan. Amir also has vast experience of print journalism and he has been associated with The Frontier Post, a leading English daily newspaper of Pakistan. He has also served as the General Secretary of the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ).
He joined Rahnuma-FPAP Media Network a couple of years ago. This association in his opinion has been a mutually beneficial one as he developed a keen interest and insight into some basic social issues like child marriages, the lack of importance given to the health of mother and child, and issues related to empowerment of women.
Amir said Rahnuma-FPAP is playing an important role in sensitizing media and general public through seminars, workshops, consultations. And he urged the organization not to stop these activities as they are performing a crucial role of generating knowledge about rights.
Shazia Saeed works for Daily Nawa-i-waqt and writes passionately on different social issues especially concerning women. Shazia joined Rahnuma-FPAP media network in 2008 and has been regularly attending workshops and seminars organized by the organization for capacity building of media representatives ever since. She has been writing on the issue of early age marriages and swara regularly. Shazia believes in the gender equality and strongly promote it through her writings. She said “women in our country have to face many problems no matter which path they chose – become a housewife or a working woman. And there is only one way of fighting the odds that is to man up to the situation, so to speak and that is what I tell them through my features.”
Shazia finds her interaction with Rahnuma-FPAP through the media network very useful. She said “I find Rahnuma-FPAP sessions very informative and thought provoking. I always leave these session highly motivated to do my bit in ending harmful traditions like early marriages which puts young girls at unnecessary risk and deprive them of their right to education and childhood.”
Gonila, a reporter at Daily Dunya, has been working as a journalist for the last ten years. She has covered many issues concerning minorities, health and human rights issues in various Urdu newspapers. She has recently started writing for English newspapers as well.
She started her journalism career in 2005 as a “staff reporter” and joined Khabrain Group of newspapers in Lahore. She has received her training as journalist in India and Nepal. She also won an award from ILO (International Labour Organization) for her report on child labour issue that was published on International Children Day. She was also conferred an award by the Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool in 2009 as best minority reporter. Her coverage of human rights, education, health and women issues has won her many awards from NGO sector as well. She is the founder member of SAWM (South Asia Women in Media), Council member of Lahore Press Club and the member of Governing Body of Punjab Union of Journalists 2010-2011.
Gonila is an active member of Rahnuma-FPAP network and her contributions to the organizations campaigns have been sizeable and valuable.
Faisal Khan Durrani is working as the Station Head of “Punjab” TV channel of Pakistan group. The Pakistan group owns one news channel and more than 5 newspapers. Faisal joined
Rahnuma-FPAP Media Network in 2008 and remained associated with it ever since.
Faisal takes special interest in social and health issues. Commenting on Rahnuma FPAP he said that it is the largest and oldest NGO in Pakistan which started work on Family Planning and SRHR in 1953. It is a role model for other NGOs working in the same field.
I have participated in many workshops, seminars, conferences, dialogue sessions, experience sharing activities of this organization and have always found them very useful. The team working for Rahnuma-FPAP through this network not only sensitize media on SRHR issues but also provides technical help in writing articles on the subject. They are always happy to provide data and other information about Family Planning, SRHR, HIV/AIDS, Abortion, women empowerment and specially youth issues in Pakistan.”
Faisal said he is especially impressed by Rahnuma-FPAP’s strong advocacy campaigns. He said in every activity of Rahnuma-FPAP, I have observed a large number of media, parliamentarians, government officials and civil society presence. Faisal said he appreciates the fact that Rahnuma-FPAP tries so hard to sensitize people who can become agents of change for the betterment of the society.
National Parliamentarian Caucus:
Rahnuma-FPAP reinvigorated and enlarged the National Parliamentarians Caucus on SRHR and FP after Pakistan General Elections 2013 and included newly elected members from National assembly of Pakistan and all Provincial Assemblies. Main objectives of the National Parliamentarians caucus are to advocate for bridging the policy gap regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), maternal and neonatal health (MNH) issues and needs of adolescent girls and young mothers and to champion the cause of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and maternal and neonatal health (MNH) for adolescent girls & young mothers at all social, political and policy forums.
It is one of the largest parliamentarians Caucus in Pakistan (as it has more than 110 MNAs, Senators, MPAs and MLAs its members) who have pledged to own and work on Rahnuma-FPAP vision and mission. Some of the prominent members of the caucus are Ms. Saira Afzal Tarar, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHRC), Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, MNA (PTI), Mr. Muhammad Mohsin Leghari, Senator (independent), Ms. Faraha Aqil Shah, Senator, Mr. Tariq Fazal Chaudry, MNA (PML-N), Begum Zakia Shah Nawaz, Minister, Ms. Kiran Dar MNA Ms. Sadia Sohail Rana, MPA-Punjab, Ms. Uzma Zahid Bukhari, MPA- Punjab, Ms. Shehla Raza, Deputy Speaker, Sindh Assembly, Ms. Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, MPA- Sindh, Mrs. Nusrat Sehar Abbasi, MPA- Sindh, Ms. Uzma Khan, MPA-KPK, Mr. Zia Ullaha Khan Bangash, MPA–KPK, Ms. Rahila Durrani, MPA Balochistan etc.
These parliamentarians have pledged to play their role to advocate to help bridge gaps in policies, introduce necessary legislation on host of social issues including law against child marriage, marriage with Quarn, Vani & Sawara, domestic violence etc. Rahnuma-FPAP organized various consultative events to sensitize these worthy members on SRHR, FP, GBV, ICPD, FP 2020 etc. These parliamentarians also pledged to review the policies of their respective governments on health, population, youth and women development Following is the brief profile of some our dedicated members of Rahnuma-FPAP National Parliamentarians Caucus.
Begum Zakia Shah Nawaz belongs to prominent Pathan family of Mianwali district and she got married at the age of sixteen (she narrated her ordeal, being a child marriage victim). She entered in active politics at the platform of Pakistan Muslim League (N) and elected its Provincial Information Secretary. She was offered Punjab Assembly Ticket 2002 but got it due to graduation bar and refused to get a fake degree because education taught her honesty and righteousness. During the previous tenure of Shahbaz Sharif, she served as an advisor to the Chief Minister on PWD. Keeping her dedication and unmatched performance during the previous tennure, CM Shahbaz Sharif again selected her an important member of his provincial government, while assigning her the portfolio of Minister for Population Welfare Department. Being highly sensitized on population, health, SRHR and gender issues she always remained forefront for the wellbeing of marginalized and vulnerable sections of society especially women and children. She has been regular member of Rahnuma-FPAP Parliamentary Caucus and fully supports its different endeavors. At the recent Sixth Asian Pacific Population Conference (APPC) she was part of the official delegation which rectified historic APPC ministerial declaration. This declaration is a leading document from Asia pacific for recently held ICPD Beyond 2014 Conference.
Ms. Kiran Imran Dar a dedicated and committed member of Punjab Assembly has been elected Member National Assembly on April 27th, 2015 on Women Reserve Seat due to her unflinching resolve for women cause. She belong to a modest but respectable political family of Lahore. She is an educated woman and dedicated and committed social worker. She is an active member of Rahnuma-FPAP National Parliamentary Caucus and always played a leading role. She considered women empowerment an important issue as Pakistani women are victim societal subjugation and for this purpose she prioritize SRHR.
Mr. Arif Yousaf member Provincial Assembly KPK is another dedicated member of Rahnuma-FPAP National Parliamentarians Caucus and has been instrumental to carry forward the social development agenda at provincial levels. He is a committed social worker from the grass root level and hails from Peshawar. Being an important member of provincial government as he has been elected as Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Law Affairs, he remains instrumental to our agenda . He is also a member of Standing Committee on Communication and Works Department. Mr. Arif Yousaf has participated in various provincial and national level forums / dialogues on social development including Advocacy about Early Child Marriages, MDG-5b, Alliance Meetings and Regional Council Meetings of Rahnuma FPAP (KP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Region.
Mr. Shafqat Mehmood a seasoned politician has recently been elected Member National Assembly on Pakistan Tehreek Insaf ticket from Lahore. Previously he served as an active member of Senate of Pakistan (upper house of Parliament) on Pakistan People’s Party Platform. The affiliation of Mr. Shafqat Mehmood with Rahnuma-FPAP is quite old and he was a dedicated Volunteer (Rahnuma-FPAP apex governing and policy making body) and remained Chairperson of the Rahnuma-FPAP National Executive Committee (NEC) 2006-2007, our supreme decision making body . He highly appreciated the dedicated work of Rahnuma-FPAP and expressed his strong resolve that high population growth is one of the main reasons for terrorism and lawlessness. After electing a member of National Assembly he further cemented his affiliation with us by becoming a member of National Parliamentarians Caucus on SRHR. He shared that investment in population welfare programs including family planning would provide solution too many challenges which Pakistani government is confronted now a day including terrorism, poverty and with unemployment.
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Mr. Ziaullaha Khan Bangash is dedicated social worker and has remained member Rahnuma-FPAP National Council (apex governing body) and hails from a modest family from Kohat District (KPK). He has been elected Member of Provincial Assembly KPK in 2013 general elections on PTI ticket and is considered one of the core member of provincial PTI Branch. He is an active young parliamentarian/ politician who has made his distinction as a leader who emerged from the grass root levels. Due to his great connections at the grass root level Chief Minister KPK has appointed him Cahirman District Development Action Committee (DDAC). Mr. Bangash is an active member of Rahnuma-FPAP managed National Parliamentarians Caucus on SRHR since its inception and very focal supporter on women empowerment, youth integration, SRHR and MNCH issues in the parliament. He played an important role in the drafting of the Provincial Population Policy 2014 . He has strong views about SRH and termed investment in youth SRHR.
Ms. Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, a versatile women of high stature is inspiring and driving force of National Parliamentarians Caucus on SRHR. Currently she is an elected member of Sindh Provincial Assembly. While rewarding her exemplary role and untiring efforts, Rahnuma-FPAP National Council (the apex organizational governing body) has elected her Rahnuma-FPAP president (unopposed) for second term. By profession she is an academician, bureaucrat, social workers, journalist and politician and has worked on various positions with dedication, honesty and commitment. She held senior level positions in Sindh government and served as a first women secretary in various provincial ministries/departments including Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Youth Affairs and Supports, ministry of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination. She remained Head of International Relations Department, University of Sindh, Regional Director of HEC. Presently she is an active member of various INGOs/NGOs, CSOs, academic institutions and media houses. She has participated in various international conferences as an official member from government of Pakistan where she played a leading and catalyst role on SRHR, FP, women empowerment etc. She was the driving force in adopting the declaration on FP 2020 and Sixth Asian Pacific Population Conference (APPC) by the government of Pakistan as she was the inspirational force of the Pakistan Government official delegation which took part in this conference. In 2003 Government of Pakistan awarded her Pride of Performance Award in recognition of her services for the humanity and women empowerment.
Rahnuma-National Youth Network
Background
Rahnuma National Youth Network was approved by the National Council on 9th March, 2011 as per the adopted TOR’s, consequently the network was formed comprising of 30 members, 6 from each region. In this connection, the first meeting took place on 29th March, 2011.
The election for third term office bearers of National Youth Network were held on December, 6th 2016 in Lahore for Executive Committee of Rahnuma-National Youth Network.
- Every Region has 6 youth groups with 25-30 youth participants
- Each Youth group elects one participant for Regional Council (RC)
- 6 RC members elect 2 youth representatives for Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC)
- All 5RCs members are create the National Youth Network. The total strength of this network is 30 youth members
- The 6 RC youth members are elect 1 National Council youth member for each region (1 additional on rotational basis)
- This youth Network is elect its office bearers out of the 6 youth NC members and 2 members for National Executive Committee
Institutional capacity: Need Assessment, baseline, program planning, technical knowledge & capacity, partnerships, instrumental in bringing a strategic focus and strengthening the program.
Demonstrated effectiveness of Youth Resource Centers: mobilization, information, education, skill development, services, telephonic counseling, Tea Parties through MYX Fund.
Roll out of Youth Friendly Services: youth friendly clinics, Referral Mechanism: services (public & private), shelter, legal aid, Mobile Outreach and services.
Piloted CSE in Pakistan: Adapted “Its All One Curriculum” for Pakistan CSE Task Force, In School-Teachers Training, Out of School-Peer Education, Sensitization Sessions with Parents and In-laws.
Brought Child Marriage, CSE & YFS high on the agenda of policy makers: brought together key stakeholders in the form of formal networks/alliances for advocacy on child marriage, CSE and YFS: parliamentarians, media, NGOs/CBOs, international agencies, government departments, youth networks and youth focused organizations.
Institutionalized youth partnership: policy, program planning, network, advocacy, tool development, M&E, resource mobilization.
CSE Taskforce
Comprehensive sexuality education is an important part of Rahnuma-FPAP’s strategic plan and is being integrated with different current initiatives. Rahnuma-FPAP has expanded its CSE related efforts at two levels generating public discourse for the acceptability of CSE in youth policies and Advocacy for prioritizing the issue at Policy level.
In this regards Rahnuma-FPAP has joined the hands with the likeminded organizations to develop a National taskforce and raise the collective advocacy voices for CSE. Rahnuma-FPAP is working with Rozan, Rutgers, UNFPA, Oxfam-novib, Plan international Pakistan and Aahung as a task force. This taskforce has worked in close collaboration and has developed the Comprehensive sexuality education framework for Pakistan. A number of well researched and informational documents related to CSE were developed by taking the guidance from this framework. These documents include:
Gender segregated peer educators tool kits on CSE in Urdu
Training manual for peer educators on CSE
Pictorial booklets and leaflets on CSE
Handbooks for in school youth on CSE (Boys, secondary school)
Handbooks for in school youth on CSE (Girls, secondary school)
A teacher training manual based on CSE
Right Here Right Now
Rahnuma-FPAP, Oxfam Novib, UNFPA, Plan International Pakistan, Rutgers, Aahung and Rozan, is making collective effort for the inclusion of the necessary health information in school curricula. The taskforce has developed a framework to outline what will constitute LSBE in Pakistan context. It was recently expanded to form an alliance with RHRN organizations including Aware Girls, Bargad, Blue Vein, Trans action, Channan Development Association, Forum for Dignity Initiatives, Indus Resource Centre, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aaghai and Youth Advocacy Network. This platform is also piloting several strategies to reach out to out of school adolescents and young people. The network has developed LSBE Module along with the LSBE sensitization module recently. These modules were developed through consultation among CSE taskforce and RHRN platform members.