Strengthening Local Governance & Civic Participation in Punjab

The project was started in 2015 in collaboration with NED in 6 union councils in Lahore and Sheikhupura. Since then, the WISE has been working towards deepening democracy at grass roots level and strengthening Local Govt. system in Punjab, with focus on women, capacity building of the elected councilors and local activists, promotion of public accountability and transparency.  Overall WISE strategy is embedded in democratic approach of taking all stakeholders together. But specifically, it has been using two-pronged strategy; a) advocacy with policy makers and legislatures, engagement with mainstream media and civil society through discussions and publication of policy briefs, position papers and research reports on local governance. b) Capacity building of the elected councilors as well as community activists and help amplify community voices through open spaces to talk, discuss and highlight their issues and draw local development agendas. The project’s accomplishments are as under:

Mobilization & Awareness

• 16,000 women mobilized through public seminars, awareness walks, training workshops, women conventions, lectures, and virtual cafes.
• 13,648 women educated on local governance via community seminars.
• 3,598 women and girls engaged during key events such as 16 Days of Activism, National Working Women Day, International Women’s Day, and International Labor Day.
• 2,536 participants attended 31 public seminars on Women Political Participation, Democracy, and Local Governance.
• 5645 participants attended 34 online sessions on topics like domestic violence, women’s political representation, economic empowerment, and voter participation.

Training & Capacity Building

• 636 lady councilors trained in democracy, governance, and political participation.
• 232 male LG representatives, UC secretaries, and Panchayat members trained on LG laws.
• 451 participants attended 16 training workshops on safeguarding, pro-women laws, leadership, and effective political representation.
• 984 participants attended 9 women conventions and provincial consultations on inclusive local governance.
• 86 participants joined 2 lectures on the economic crisis and the political future of Pakistan.

Advocacy & Networking

• A 30-member lady councilor caucus formed in Lahore and Nankana Sahib.
• 3 district-level advocacy groups established to address women’s issues at Union Councils.
• 2 women councilor networks formed, holding 22 awareness sessions, reaching 660 students, teachers, and women.
• 223 participants joined a Women Cyclothon and two awareness walks on activism and debt relief.
• 518 women and girls organized into 26 Aurat Akhats (20 youth groups, 6 community-based groups) in four districts.
• 314 awareness sessions conducted on leadership, governance, violence prevention, and legal rights.

Media & Outreach

• 19 media forums held with “Daily Express” on International Women’s Day, Democracy Day, and Human Rights Day.
• 9 issue-based videos produced on topics such as youth participation, flood impacts, and local governance.
• 345 participants joined 9 Virtual Cafes on voter registration, gender dynamics, human rights, and democracy.
• A radio program participation on International Women’s Day.

Election & Voter Education

• Voter education campaign for General Election 2024 reached 2,446 people.
• 480 participants attended 25 voter awareness sessions in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib.
• 10 awareness sessions conducted with school students on CNIC and voter registration.

Conferences & Special Events

• Organized three conferences: Youth Development Conference, International Conference on Democracy, and a Press Conference on Local Governments.

Publications & Resources

• Two critical analyses on local government laws and a training manual developed.
• Books and materials published on Punjab Local Government Act (2019 & 2022), pro-women laws, democracy, and women’s political participation.
• Flyers and booklets disseminated for 16 Days of Activism and training programs.
• 500 zip bags and 200 themed bags on women’s political leadership distributed.
• Quarterly newsletters produced and printed.