Women’s Voice and Leadership – Pakistan

This project is part of Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Program by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Oxfam in Pakistan (OiP), which supports local and regional women’s organizations and networks that are working to promote women’s rights, and advance women’s empowerment and gender equality in developing countries.

Under WVL, WISE entered into partnership with Oxfam and Global Affairs Canada from 2020 to 2024. After four years partnership, WISE made significant progress, boosted its structures and procedures and at the end line, self-assessing achieved a score of 77 out of 88, showing a substantial progress, advancing from 48.86% to 87.6% in its total projected scoring.

Through strategic initiatives, WISE has embarked on; a comprehensive journey that not only aligns with feminist principles but also integrates them into every operational facet. From inclusive Board representation to program design and staff empowerment, every endeavor undertaken by the organization echoes a firm dedication to achieving gender justice society, where human beings especially women enjoy equity and equal rights.

Under WVL-P’s core funding WISE strengthened its grassroots efforts in advancing the women’s rights agenda. This vital program stands as a catalyst for transformative change, leaving an indelible mark on communities. The milestones achieved under the project are as follows:

Transformative Journey towards a Gender Just Organization:

• 100 % women in WISE Board and welcomed 3 young feminists into its fold.
• 80% female staff
• Allocated 80-85% of salary’s budget for female staff
• Offered Internship & Employment to 30young girls
• Strengthened inclusivity by employing 4 young girls from minority groups, 5 from marginalized communities, and hiring 8 female staff members from the local community where WISE operates.
• Established female-led Admin, Finance and MEAL Departments, empowering women in leadership roles.
• Institutionalized Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Planning
• Incorporated Feminist Principles into Programs and Operations
• Strengthened Women’s Rights and Gender Justice Focused Advocacy and Campaigning

Institutional Building:

• Acquired Certification from Pakistan Center for Philanthropy and Punjab Charity Commission and signed MoU with EAD
• Upgraded Organizational Policies and Strategic Plan
• Enhanced Resource Mobilization by acquisition of 7 projects, including 4 new, along with the extension of 3 project renewals.
• Strengthened Internal Audit and Financial Systems
• Institutionalized Gender Responsive Financial Management and engaged 5 female vendors
• Built E- Archive focusing on Decade-long Feminist Struggles and available for Academic Research
• Documented and showcased WISE’s Decade Journey
• Enhanced Networking with National, Regional, and Global Networks & Alliances, Government Entities, Educational Institutions, Parliamentarians, and Media.

Creating Women Friendly Spaces & Transformative Young Leadership:

• Championed transformative change by creating women-friendly spaces and fostering young leadership.
• Provided 30 young girls with paid internships; 9 were subsequently promoted to middle-level positions.
• Incorporated Youth Empowerment as a thematic area, bridging generational gaps and creating collaborative learning spaces among staff.
• Organized interactions for young girls with Board members and activists for diverse learning experiences.
• Actively engaged young female staff with Global, Regional and national Networks, enhancing their professional growth.
• Supported young girls’ leadership through the Safeguarding Club, fostering transformative leaders.

Staff Self and Collective Care:

• Provided Health and Life Insurance, Provident Fund and Employees Old Age Benefits to Staff
• Facilitated Psychosocial Well-being, Annual Retreats, and Flexible Working Hours for Parents
• Implemented Mandatory Signing of ‘Code of Conduct’ for All Employees
• Ensured Safe Transportation for Staff
• Established a Complaint Mechanism via the Introduction of a Grievance Settlement Policy

Catalyst of Change – WVL-P’s Impact on People’s Lives:

• Empowered 267 women on ‘Safeguarding’ including journalists, teachers, and young girls, who further reached out to the 1156students and young girls. 
• Sensitized Over 2000 Women and Girls on Women’s Rights Promotion and Protection
• Enabled Voter Registration for 1500 Women through NIC Facilitation
• Empowered 50 Young Feminists through 4-Day Gender Just School
• Monitored & compiled data on 74 incidents of violence against domestic workers in Punjab.
• Connected 275 women through Aurat Akaths, advancing the promotion and protection of women’s rights agenda in their respective areas.
• Amplified Voices via Youth-Led Virtual Cafés, uniting young girls digitally to discuss women’s rights in Pakistan.
• Empowered Public Space Reclamation & Inspired Females through ‘Girls on Wheels’ by training 4 young girls in bike riding and providing them with scootees.
• Nurtured & Transformed 4 Young Females through the Gender and Leadership Program (GLP).
• Replicated Gender and Leadership Program with 23 young girls.
• Executed a Gender and Equity-Based COVID Response, supporting 280 Households of women domestic workers, women sanitary workers, and lady health workers, benefitting 1644 Individuals
• Developed IEC Material promoting workplace dignity, safeguarding, women’s political participation and feminist principles, including flyers, mugs, key chains, phone holders, water bottles, bookmarks, and stallers, enhancing community engagement and empowerment.
• Produced various Researches and Reports under WVLP Project including, ‘Contribution of Women Domestic Workers in Unpaid Care Work’, ‘WVLP Four-Year Transformative Journey towards Gender Just Organization’, ‘Reflect-Share-Act: The Aurat Akath, Way to Community Women Transformation’ and Feminist Symphony.