December
09, 2015
03:00
pm - 04:30 pm
ABOUT
THE EVENT
The
Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) of Pakistan, which form part of
the country’s northern border with Afghanistan, have long suffered from war,
militancy, and economic deprivation, creating fertile ground for the “swift
justice” and sharia regulations of militant Islamist groups. While the
Pakistani army has had some success in wiping out extremist elements in the
region, the Taliban and other Islamist forces still pose a significant threat.
In this context of political instability, women and girls have often been the
primary victims of extremist movements that have gained ground through
patriarchal and discriminatory means. The suppression of women’s rights,
however, has only added to the courage and resolve of those who have stepped
forward to demand gender equality, often at the risk of isolation, torture, or
even death. In her presentation, social activist Shad Begum outlined the
challenges to women’s political and economic empowerment in PATA and
highlighted those change-makers who are surmounting them. Drawing on her
experience in the region, she provided recommendations for how best to equip
emerging women leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to build
a more equitable future in PATA and Pakistan.
To
watch the program, please visit the following link,
