The Role of Women in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Reforms The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) discussed the significance of the role of women in FATA reforms process. The program encompassed the impact of FATA reforms on women, the participation of women in the political decision making processes in FATA, the lack of women's engagement in the reform’s committee, gender discrimination and cultural barriers faced by women, girls’ education, health opportunities and women empowerment in FATA, women's rights and responsibilities, and the inclusion of women in electoral process. Moreover, the program highlighted civil society's efforts in encouraging women towards education, civic participation, and entrepreneurship. Ms. Naheed Afridi, Member of Takra Qabaili Khwendy (Brave Tribals Sisters), Peshawar, and Ms. Sakeena Mohmand, a Peshawar based lawyer took part as the studio guests in the show. Ms. Naheed said: “Women in FATA are deprived in every field of life. Unless, they are not educated, we can’t expect them to actively participate. They are in dire need of education and awareness to think out of the box and ask for their rights.” Ms. Sakeena said: “During the FATA reforms' process, the committee members have completely ignored female population which constitutes more than 50 percent. They have remained voiceless and invisible in the whole process.” A radio report was made part of the program. It shed light on an event organized by FATA’s women in Peshawar, objecting the exclusion of women in FATA reforms.   About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga...

The Importance of Afforestation for the Mitigation of Global Warming The latest episode of Ranra (light) discussed the importance of afforestation to curb global warming. Key point of discussion included climate change, natural disasters, environmental problems in Pakistan and how young people can help in planting trees. Moreover, the program accentuated the deficiency of higher studies in Botany and Environmental Sciences in Pakistan’s universities and how enhanced research in those fields could contribute to control climate change. Furthermore, the program shed light on the importance of the billion trees project initiated by the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) along with other provincial government’s strategies for afforestation in the province and steps to counter climate change. Dr. Shah Khalid, lecturer at Department of Botany, Islamia College, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Dr. Khalid said: “According to a survey, only 3% of the Pakistani country is forest, which is also rapidly declining due to the growing population. Trees not only provide oxygen, but also protect the environment. A large number of people in the country fall trees to use wood as fuel, while the timber mafia is also active for their personal gains.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted a tree plantation campaign launched in Mohmand Agency by a Ph.D scholar from Peshawar University. Seven callers took part in the program, echoing the importance of afforestation and urging youngsters to participate for a greener Pakistan.   About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On...

Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) discussed several public issues such as snow festival, development projects, drugs usage, demands of FATA Syasi Etihad and education. The program started with a review of the three-day snow festival in Malam Jabba, Swat, which was organized by KP Tourism Department with the aim to enhance tourism in the region. The festival attracted thousands of tourists from different regions. Furthermore the visit of Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minster of Pakistan, to North Waziristan Agency was discussed. Along with several other projects he initiated the Kurram Tangi Dam Project with power generation capacity of 83.4 megawatt. Other points of discussion were diseases caused by drug usage and the increasing availability of drugs in Dera Ismail Khan. The report stated that the local police is lacking attention towards these issues, due to which drug smuggling is on rise. Moreover, the demands of FATA Syasi Etihad for the immediate merger of FATA and KP were debated as well as their urgent appeal to the federal government to release the NFC funds for the development of FATA. The program concluded with drawing attention to the lack of Middle and High schools in Union Council Hissara Yaseenzai of Charsadda, which encompasses 61 villages. Despite of the imposition of education emergency by KP Govt., students in the aforesaid UC are still deprived of Middle and High Schools to pursue their education.   Callers Response: Six callers took part in the program. They requested provincial governments to make education accessible for every child and take preventive measures to curb drug availability.   About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights,...

Violence Against Women and Civil Society’s Role in Raising Mass Awareness for Women’s Rights The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) discussed violence against women in Pakistani society and the role of government and civil society organizations in raising public awareness for women’s rights. Recent cases of violence against women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) were passed in review and the urgent need of special legislation and laws to counter violence against women was stressed. Furthermore, the debate focused on the role of female parliamentarians and activists as well as the establishment of Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) and Women Desks in police stations to tackle domestic violence cases. The program highlighted efforts of social welfare organizations to end violence against women and the violation of their rights. Moreover, the importance of education for women and societal barriers encountered by them was elucidated. Ms. Zareen Zia, Member of KP assembly and Secretary Information of Women Parliamentarian Caucus (WPC) and Mr. Asif Elahi, Program Officer, Aurat Foundation, Peshawar, were the studio guests in the show. Ms. Zia said: “Unless there is no proper legislation, violence against women will be continued.  As our government came into power, a committee drafted a bill to end violence against females, but it was utterly rejected by the Council of Islamic Ideology. We need a strict legislation like other provinces to overcome this issue.” Mr. Elahi said: “Due to the absence of concrete laws, violence against women is on the rise in KP. This ratio is believed to have escalated in the past few years because of deprivation of women’s rights and the lack of public awareness. Most of the victims cannot report domestic violence as it would bring dishonor upon their families.” A radio report was made part of the program which emphasized on honor killing and early child marriage cases in KP and...

Climate Change and Plans of the Pakistani Government   The latest episode of Ranra (light) discussed Pakistan’s role in climate change, and governmental plans to counter the problem. Irregular changes in weather like extreme heat and cold were discussed as well as the impact of climate change on Pakistan’s economy and agriculture. Furthermore steps and measures taken to counter climate change were deliberated in the context of a widespread negligence in environmental protection by the government and civilian population. The program shed light on the important role and responsibility of the government and the civilian population to curb a further deterioration of the situation. Another debate was about areas in KP, which are extremely vulnerable to climatic changes and the causes of environmental pollution in general. Dr. Muhammad Akmal, Director of the Climate Change Center at Agriculture University, Peshawar, took part in the show as studio guests. He said: “Pakistan is the eighth most vulnerable country for climate change in the world and its effects are already evident in the form of increasing rain, floods, storm, drought, unpredictable weather patterns and changing rainfall trends. If no serious actions are taken, it can cause catastrophes.” A radio report highlighted the impact of global warming on our climate and the role of Pakistan’s climate change policy for the country. Two callers participated live in the program. Both accentuated the responsibilities of the public to reduce pollution, which is one reason for climate change.   About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga...

Women’s Rights and the Significance of Celebrating International Women’s Day The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) discussed the rights of women in Pakistani society and the significance of celebrating International Women’s day in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The show cast a look at the role of awareness campaigns for women's rights, their constitutional rights and rights of women in Islam. Moreover, the aim and vision of celebrating International Women’s Day throughout the globe, the acknowledgement of women's rights and services and the representation of women in different walks of life was debated. Furthermore the program included discussions on the role of women in economic development, politics and social change, honor killing, family issues, the deficient education and career opportunities for women and the hurdles faced by them in daily life. Ms. Shaista Hakeem, a Peshawar based journalist, took part as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Hakeem said: “Although the number of honor killings has increased immensely in KP, many cases aren’t reported as such for it would bring shame upon the victims’ families. Government should come up with firm legislation to ban honor killings. The few laws that exist are not implemented seriously. We must overcome this issue otherwise the number of cases will rise day by day.” A radio report was made the part of the program, which outlined the success and issues of women in Peshawar.   About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with...