FEmale Human Rights Organization (FEHRO)
FEHRO is a registered non governmental and non partisan initiative. Founded in 1998 by a group of women volunteers keeping in view the cultural reasons men involvement in Governance and management was made mandatory from the outset. FEHRO is truly a women organization run by a women and geared towards women cause with a missionary spirit. FEHRO works revolves around empowerment of women by creating an enabling environment through capacity building, awreness on human rights, advocacy and provision of basic services. FEHRO has two pronged strategy i.e. working at the causes level to address human rights protection of women through Advocacy, lobbying that is done with Govt., media, NGOs/CBOs, political, religious groups and community. At services level FEHRO focusses service delivery interventions e.g. Vocational Training, ,literacy, Micro-Credit, linkages and other needbased interventions. . FEHRO does not see women in islolation but as a part of family, existing social values lies at the core of FEHRO strategic framework because FEHRO is part of this soceity and believes that sustainable development is about changing attitude towards women by staying within the existing value system. Particiaption of stakeholders during the development process is mandatory for all interventions.FEHRO concerted efforts has brought women to the limelight of development initiatives in Swat
WHY FEHRO CAME INTO EXISTENCE: - Looking at the existing situation where poverty, injustices, gap between rich and poor, exploitation and discrimnation is increasing especially with regard to women. Development indicators is Swat are not very different from other areas of the province. Therefore founding members of the FEHRO resolved to establish a vibrant organization which can respond to women needs on proactive basis.
GOALS OF FEHRO : -
The following three are the main objectives of Female Human Rights Organization (FEHRO) given as under in detail.
To raise awareness on human rights focussing women and children.
To promote quality female education in District Swat.
To incraese income level of women through provision of micro-credit, capacity building and facilitating linkages.
To advocate and lobby for women needs at all levels i.e. Govt, Media, Political parties, religious groups and general community.
Governance and Management Structure
The structure of FEHRO is divided into three parts. General Body (1200) Members includes 1100 women.
Executive Body (7) Members includes 5 women.
Board of Governors (16) Members includes 10 women.
FUND RAISING
The following are the fee structures for the members of different categories given as under in detail.
• General Body 200 Rs per year.
• Executive Body 500 Rs per year.
• Board of Governors 1000 Rs per year.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The following are the activities of Female Human Rights Organization (FEHRO) given as under in detail.
Objective 1To protect human rights focussing women and children through raising awareness.
Achivements 1. FEHRO arranged a seminar on Human rights and Gender on 2nd July 1999 at Royal Palace Hotel Saidu Sharif Swat on the awareness of female legal rights where 300 women participated in the seminar. Afrasiab Khattak a renowned rights activist delivered a lecture on the subject. All leading NGOs e.g. Khwendo Kor, Aurat Foundation shared there expereinces with the participants.This workshop was arranged on self help basis. This was the first ever seminar in Swat where women from far flung area participated actively in the seminar.
FEHRO has established very good working relationship with local print and electronic media that helped FEHRO to promote women rights in district Swat. Awareness material on women issues is regualrly published in the local newspapers. Regular press conferences are carried out to reinforce women rights in the soceity. A seminar on 21st May 2000 at Waddudia Hall Saidu Sharif Swat for the handicapped children. In this seminar 93 female have participated. In this seminar female were given training to take care of handicapped children .
Objective 2 To advocate and lobby for women needs at all levels i.e. Govt, Media, Political parties, religious groups and general community
FEHRO carried out a survey of cosmetics factories in Swat to assess the situation of women labourers in the industry interms of wages, working envionement, protection from violence. Finding of the survey were that wages are low, duty timing is more then routine, labour laws prevalent in the country were not followed. After the survey a case was taken up with District Adminstration and media to project the plight of women labours in Swat. As a result of this District Adminstration took a strict actions against the factories owner and warned them to improve the situation. Wages of women labours were enhanced from Rs800/month to Rs 1500/month. Women were registered with social security and Employee Old Age Benefits Scheme.Total 1675 women benefitted from the process. Media played a good role to project this plight to the soceity which in return created pressure on the factory owners.
FEHRO as part of its advocacy program worked with Army adminstration to initaite postgraduate classes for women in Swat various meetings were held with them Women members of FEHRO also participated in these meetings and advocated for higher education. After rigorus follow-up postgraduate classes for women were approved. Other problems pertaining to women were also shared such as;
• Issues of Govt Girls Schools teachers. • Swat cosmetics factories working females. • Postgraduate education for female in swat. • They also discussed the issue of Female Park in Saidu Sharif Swat.
These advocacy work has made good impact on the Swat women park for female is already in progress.
Cheena Bazar is an exclusive women shopping centre in Mingora, Swat. Women use to come and shop in that bazar but certain gangsters use to enter the bazar on different excuses to harrass the women. This harrassment was getting momentum creating lots of problem for the women folk. FEHRO took notice of the problem and brought this issue to the notice of police high ups, meeting with DIG police was done as a result ban the entry of male in the shopping bazzar. Women which use to come to bazzar has stopped coming but FEHRO intervention has enabled to freely visit the bazzar again.
Shirkat Gah organized a training for our staff in Lahore two members of FEHRO Ms Shabeena Zeb and Jahanzeb were given paralegal trainings. As a result FEHRO started their legal activities in courts and jails to support the women folk.
FEHRO also advocated and lobbied for a female waiting rooms in the district Courts. Regular meretings with District Adminstration and mobilizatuion through print media DC Swat constructed the 2 waiting rooms for female in district courts under Khushal Pakistan scheme.
Objective 3.To incraese income level of women through provision of micro-credit, capacity building and facilitating linkages.
To enable women to earn better income business creation exercise was arranged for local women enterpeneurs with the support of Small Scale Enterpise Promotion. Total__women particiapted in the training. 7 female have applied this training in there enterpises. 4 female got loans from banks.
10.FEHRO’s Chairperson Mrs. Farhat Rayat, General Secretary Ms Ayesha Taj, Deputy General Secretary Ms Mahnaz and Coordinator Mr. Rayat Ullah Khan held a meeting with the Secretary Finance Mr. Shujat Ali Khan at Islamabad on 24rth August 1999. And this meeting was focused on the working females. And after this meeting a branch of RDFC Regional Development and Finance Corporation branch was opened in mingora on 14th April 2000. From which many female have got the loans.
11.FEHRO Organization have made a survey of the private clinics of Swat and many meeting were held with the lady doctors. As a result 26 female were employed in these female clinics and from 7th June 2000 they started there jobs in these private clinics.
12.FEHRO’s Organization Chairperson Mrs. Farhat Rayat Visited the Swat District Jail and met the female prisoners and the jail officials. As a result of this visit 23 female prisoners with pity crimes were released and FEHRO with its own budget provide the medications to female and children of the Swat Jail of about Rs 7,000.
13.FEHRO have submitted an application to the DC Swat Mr. Atta Ur Rehman after the announcement of female 33% seat by the president Pervaiz Musharaf and he have given orders that no one would make any disturbance in the local elections. And as a result 21 Female members of FEHRO Organization were elected and also the Chairperson of Female Human Rights Organization (FEHRO) was also elected for two seats.
14.FEHRO visited the Swat Jail on 23rd December 2001 and they discussed some important issues of the prisoners with them and promise to solve there problems.
15.FEHRO have arranged a training workshop on 28th December 2001 on the female rights violation with Actionaid Pakistan in Royal Palace Hotel Saidu Sharif Swat.
16.FEHRO and KHWANDE KOR Peshawar have arranged a two days training workshop on the duties of female councilors in Royal Palace Hotel Saidu Sharif Swat in which they have taught how to perform their duties.
17.OXFEM Islamabad have arranged a four days training workshop on female rights violation and FEHRO also participated in this training workshop which was held in Islamabad on 28th June 2002. And after this training a report and survey of the Thana were made and in this survey the SSP Swat have performed a very good role.
• On 1st March 2002 FEHRO Organization have signed an agreement with the Provincial Education Department to provide four schools with computer labs. The names of the four schools are given as under in detail.
8th March 2002 on Female International Day FEHRO arranged a seminar in thames hotel with the contribution of MRDP Swat where female from four districts of Malakand division participated and the Chairperson of FEHRO in her speech discussed the objectives of FEHRO. And also in this seminar the Children of FEHRO have also presented a Stage Drama on Female Rights Violation.
Conducted one-day seminar before Referendum at Govt. Girls College Saidu Shaif Swat, which was attended by Brigadier Khalid Nazir Butt. Elected persons male and female, Government officials as well as respected community members also participated.
Executive committee meeting was held on 28-12-2002, in which new cabinet of the FEHRO, consisting on 07 persons was elected.
Conducted survey on establishing products display center in Cheena Bazar Mingora Swat, in order to open a new dimension in the economic development sector, especially in female side.
Held a meeting with the Provincial Education Minister on 25-02-2003, in which all the relevant issues and problems were discussed in detail. Minister ensured that all possible and legal support would be extended to FEHRO.
Formed Citizen Community Board (CCB) in Faiz Abad on local community level, in which all the concerned people were given equal representation.
Formed female Community Councul Board with the name of Women Development Organization in Faiz Abad on loal level.
Paid a visit to the Swat Jail, where problems were identified, which were faced by the prisoner’s female. Some of the problems were solved locally, while some of the problems were forwarded to Awrat Foundation Peshawar for further necessary action.
Participated in workshop, organized by EIROP Peshawar on formation of CCB at Govt. Jehan Zeb College Saidu Sharif Swat.
Facilitated Khwaido Kor (KK) Peshawar in organizing one-day workshop at Mingora Swat for female CommunityCouncil Board and formation of joint network of the Tehsil and District Union female councilors.
Conducted joint seminar at Swat Serina Hotel Saidu Sharif Swat in collaboration of SAWERA on August 11, 2003 in order to form Swat NGOs Ittehad (SNI). Representatives of both the organizations presented their presentation and highlighted the role of SNI.
Held a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) NWFP Peshawar for the purpose to listen to the FEHRO problems and find out possible solution and also to ensure government support to FEHRO. Chief Executive (FEHRO) highlighted the problems, faced by the female folk of District Swat. ACS appreciated the role of FEHRO in keeping continuos struggle for the solving the problems of local female. Secretary Local Government Baz Muhammad Khan Khatak was also present during the meeting. The problems faced by the Swat Ladies Councilors and approved budget for the purpose. Meanwhile the case of releasing fund was recommended to DCO Swat telephonically and written was given to FEHRO.
FUTURE PLANNING’S : -
The following are the future plannings of Female Human Rights Organization given as under in detail. • To establish a display center for female in Cheena Bazaar where the female can get a chance of proper marketing of the hand made goods and they can sold it with good return. • To provide female and children the their basic rights, Trainings, education and to solve all their problems.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES : -
The following are the current activities of FEHRO Female Human Rights Organization given as under in detail. • To provide the basic rights to female and children and give them legal rights protection and solve the problems of female at their home and after wards provide them good legal support in the courts. • Working on the agreement with the provincial education department project of the computer labs in Govt. Girls and Boys schools have been started and from 8 o’clock till 2 o’clock the computer is taught to the student of the school and after 3 o’clock to 10 o’clock in the night for the community peoples. On 1st July 2002 Computer labs were established in Govt. Girls High School No 1 Saidu Sharif Swat whose opening ceremony was attended by secretary education Arbab Shahzab and Nazim Alla Dr Mahboob Ur Rehman. According to this agreement the fee structures are given as under in detail. • From class fifth to class eight RS 50 per month. • From class ninth to class tenth Rs 100 per month. • From class eleventh to classes onward Rs. 200 per month. • In the following schools the courses of computer have been started the names of schools are given as under in detail. • Govt. Girls high school Tahir abad Banr. • Govt. Girls Higher secondary school Wadigram. • Govt. Higher secondary school Kabal Swat.
• Govt. Girls high school No 1 Saidu Sharif Swat FEHRO organization have trained round about 170 female students with the basic computer skills. • Govt. Girls high school Tahir Abad Banr mingora Swat FEHRO organization has trained round about 94 female students with the basic computer skills. • Govt. High School Waddudia Saidu Sharif Swat FEHRO organization has trained round about 96 male students with the basic computer skills. • Govt. Girls higher secondary School Wadigram FEHRO organization have trained round about 130 female students and the opening ceremony of this computer lab was attendant by Project director MRDP Mr. Jamshed ul Hasan. • Govt. Higher secondary school Kabal FEHRO organization have trained round about 124 students with the basic computer skills till this time. The opening ceremony of this school was attended by EDO swat Mr. Hasan Muyab. • FEHRO have also started training of computer for the community female of 80 female who inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Science and information technology Mr. Hussain Kanju on 1st January 2003.
FEHRO organization is running from five years on a self sustained basis and non external help in these years have been offer to Female Human Rights Organization if an external offer or donation would be given to FEHRO it would achieve all its objectives very easily and in a very short period of time but due to the lack of funding FEHRO is moving slowly towards its objective.
Every time FEHRO wants to start a project the project mostly collapse due to lack of fundings. FEHRO is having its objective of Health Care Center for female and children from its start but it is not still able to over come this project because of the lack of funding to FEHRO. So all donors are requested to give some fundings to FEHRO so that it is able to achieve the objective and the reason of it creation very well.
Female Human Rights organization is the only registered organization in Malakand division which is working on the issues regarding females and children which are I think the most precious gift for the human beings. If their would be no female in this world their would be no life on the earth so we have to protect their legal rights and to provide them with the best facilities of life but unfortunately in our town the female is just considered as the slaves of men and FEHRO organization is working on this issue to remove this point from the minds of people so to remove this point needs much more struggle because most of the people of this locality are illiterate and they either don’t know what is the value of men so how can they know it about females so the first thing in this area is the education and literacy rate which should be high after that we can do something else for female or for children.
So for the above mentioned purpose the Female Human Rights have done many activities and they are utilizing much more of their efforts to obtain their goal. And Inshallah one day FEHRO would be an example for the people of this area.
Contact of FEHRO : -
FEMALE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (FEHRO) Faizabad Saidu Sharif Swat. PO Box 28 Saidu Sharif Swat Malakand Agency N.W.F.P Pakistan Phone #: 0936-728141 Email : fehro2000@yahoo.com Website : www.fehro.tk.
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