Written by : Kashif Shamim Siddiqui
The ARTS Foundation, under the Justice Services Support Program (JSSP) and in collaboration with the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) Pakistan, has launched a two-day training workshop in Mirpurkhas with Jirga and community leaders aimed at strengthening community-driven efforts to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAW/G).
The training, facilitated by senior lawyers Advocate Nusrat Miano and Advocate Atif Raja, and monitored by Mr. Atif, brought together thirty influential participants representing diverse community structures. On the first day, participants explored legal frameworks, community accountability, and practical approaches to empower women and girls through justice and protection mechanisms.
By engaging Jirga leaders and respected community representatives, the initiative seeks to shift traditional structures into allies for women’s rights. The discussions emphasized how the collective voices of these leaders can play a transformative role in breaking cycles of silence, ensuring access to justice, and promoting safer communities for women and girls.
Speaking at the opening session, Advocate Nusrat Miano underscored the importance of community sensitization: “Ending violence requires more than laws—it requires allies at the heart of the community. When traditional leaders raise their voices for justice, it inspires real change.”
The training also highlighted the role of women as change agents. Participants were encouraged to recognize women’s leadership within families, communities, and decision-making spaces. This inclusive approach ensures that efforts against VAW/G are not only community-owned but also gender-sensitive.
This initiative contributes directly to Pakistan’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
The ARTS Foundation expressed gratitude to national and international development partners, including UN Women Pakistan, UNFPA Pakistan, UNDP Pakistan, UNICEF Pakistan, Girls Not Brides, Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), Sindh SDGs Support Unit, Oxfam, and Oxfam Tadamon – CSO Empowerment, for their ongoing support to strengthen justice services and empower women.
