Outcome PAK_D_4.1

PCO SN Outcome 5.1: Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in preventing violent extremism and peace processes (aligned to SP Output 13).

Pakistan Country Office (PCO) made significant progress in the achievement of this outcome in 2021. It identified several preventing violence extremism (PVE)-focused local civil society organizations, worked in partnership with them to engage women and girls in targeted communities in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as at the national level to increase their representation, participation and contribution towards discourse on peace and security. Project interventions showcase those capacitated women have been vocal and active in participating in community actions to promote social cohesion. Engagement of women in skill and life-based trainings also provided a pathway for them to play a more active role in their communities. During these initiatives, specific attention was given to addressing inter-communal, inter-faith and inter-sectarian harmony and coexistence and women positioned as change agents within the respective communities. Exchange between provinces were also organized to cement sentiments related to social coexistence. As per the evidence generated, the theory of change of the project is valid and applicable.

PCO SN Outcome 5.1: Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in preventing violent extremism and peace processes (aligned to SP Output 13).

The outcome has been achieved during the reporting year. A total of 228 Afghan and Pakistan women peace activist was engaged in the series of dialogue processes including focused group discussions (FGDs) which provided platform for women to bring their voices in the ongoing across-border dialogues and to contribute to the dynamic ecosystem of peace negotiations, and in doing so strengthening the voices and agency of women in the processes. Stronger women participation in in peace-building and preventing violent extremism (PVE) was established that underscored the importance of women's role and voice in preventing violent extremism and conflicts (especially with respect to changing conflict dynamics in Afghanistan) as well as the impact of violence on women. New gender- and conflict sensitive approaches allowed engagement of women in the pivotal PVE processes. UN Women adopted an approach of economic empowerment as a pathway and use terminology like 'social cohesion' to engage women in PVE work. Enabling environment for women’s greater role in peace and development were strengthened through strong media engagement and socio-cultural events that promoted social cohesion. Alternative narratives on women’s role in peace-building and PVE were circulated through different media channels, actors and means. The media campaigns included events that brought together influencers and community members to engage in dialogue and exchange perceptions on the role of women in the violent extremism, peace processes and development. Afghan cultural event that brought together over 200 people raised the awareness of the role of women as critical actors fostering peace and social cohesion through art, handicrafts, business and central community actors. One of the key takeaways from the Bilateral/Track II dialogues between Afghan and Pakistani women has been the need to support their economic recovery, since this would allow both Pakistani and Afghan to be economically self-reliant and also pave the pathway to regional peace and stability based on economic benefits. During the reporting period, PCO, under the $1.4 million USD Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), initatied supporting the socio-economic recovery of Pakistani and displaced Afghan women in Pakistan in vulnerable areas across Pakistan. As the project continues into 2023, women in Pakistan (both local and displaced) will have market-oriented skills, access to resources and markets to enable their socio-economic recovery and participate in peacebuilding processes.