Bedari has been implementing a project ‘Supporting Women’s Post-Disaster Recovery and Participation’ in districts of Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur with financial support from Universalist Unitarian Services Committee (UUSC). On 25th May 2011, it brought together over 300 flood affected women from both the districts to share their problems and make their voices heard.
It provided them a platform to share their concerns, interact with other NGOs and government departments providing various services to the flood affected communities, and make consolidated collective demands from the district administration and policy makers.
The assembly was a day-long event attended by civil society representatives including Mr. Waqar Khan and Mr. Fahad Iqbal from Save the Children, Mr. Zafar Iqbal from NGO World, and Ms Umme Kalsoom from Sycope. Other participants included local political leaders, media persons, and government functionaries including Mr. Tariq Chaudhary from Gender Reforms Action Plan, and Mr. Azhar Baloch, District Risk Manager, National Disaster Management Authority. The event began with a plenary, then the participants were divided into three groups for group work, and the outcome of the group work was shared in a plenary session at the end. Theater performances were also held to share the issues/problems women faced right after the flood.
The three groups focused on the following issues:
- Violence against Women in the Aftermath of Floods
- Education after the Floods
- Livelihood Opportunities for Women
