One Day Orientation workshop for Female councilor
& Muslahathi committee members,
NGO staff,
and Female police officials
Held on: 4th of December 2008
Venue: Abbottabad
Conducted By
Just Peace International (JPI)
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Registration of the Participants |
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Recitation of the Holy Quran |
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Introduction of the participants |
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Problem faced by women |
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Tea Break |
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Solution of the problem restoratively |
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Making female Muslahathi committee |
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Action Plan |
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Hosting Launch |
Executive Summary
In three days training for the Muslahathi committee member and police officials held from 21.11.2008 to 23.11.2008 at Abbottabad, it was raised by the female committee members that the joint police and Muslahathi committee is miss-interpreted in the community by the name of Thana committee. Most of the women feel hesitation to approach the committee members since their offices are based at police station and the convener are all male. Another issue was female going to the police station itself bring negative images for them and their families.
According to the project document the second phase of the project is to train, community elders by the already train personnel in Restorative justice system. Community stakeholder jointly decides the community conflict/issues outside the police station. One day orientation seminar was the first of its nature for the community women elders arranged by the female police and community trainer at Abbottabad.
The training was open with the recitation of the holy Koran, Introduction of the participants. Asmath Ara Khattak facilitated the seminar along with other arrangements open the discussion with the RJ back ground and later asked the women to share the problem they face in the community. SHO female Abbottabad categories the issues and also share the way of its solution. Two ladies councilor and member of Muslahathi committee highlighted the joint action for its solution.
In question Answer session the Idea of RJ was explained by Ali Gohar and Khan Muhammad. Later on Female committee was constituted a committee to meet the police officials and activate female Muslahathi committee at Abbottabad.
Best Lesson Learnt
Two female conveners of Muslahathi Committees were also present in the training. They pointed out that offices should be provided to them out side the police station for an easy access of the women, as women mostly avoid going to the police station due to culture reason.
In district Abbottabad, male Muslahathi Committees are already working and has successfully solved more than 3,000 cases through Jirga system. However, no such committees exist at women level. It has been learnt that Women Groups are urgently needed to replicate the existing experiences.
Women police officers participated actively in the training. It has been learnt that a Women Group of such officers would be formed to actively work with other stakeholders like union councilors, prisoners, lawyers, media men etc to make the new system a success.
Day Long Proceeding
Ms. Asmath Ara Khattak opens the discussion and thanked Asia foundation, Police department and Just peace international for arrangement of the activity. She also thanked the participant for attending the event on a very short notice. She explains way and means of restorative justice and linked it in detail to the Jirga system. She also mentioned that we are lucky to have two Muslahathi committee members with us to guide the process and brief us about the proceeding of the Muslahathi committees.
Ms. Shazadi SHO female police station briefed the participants about the conflict of women and reporting system
Women were asked to bring the problem they face in daily life
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Women don’t know their right
Early Mirages
Can’t go alone from home
Lack of female facilities in local transport
Security in the public places
Inheritance right
Physical abuses/Domestic violence/Mental torture
Women can’t fight for their rights
The problem was categorized for immediate solution, SHO women police station took few of the issue of traffic, early mirages, security, physical abuse that can be taken by the female committee on priorities basis. She also linked it with the restorative justice technique of mediation and circle and the way for its resolution.
The Female Convener of Muslahathi Committee shed light from their experience. Participants asked question about Restorative justice that were clarified by Ali Gohar in detail discussion.
Mr Khan Muhammad asked the participants to constitute the committee to contact police officials for establishment of female committee, office arrangements etc.
The following members were selected for the female Muslahathi committee at the initial stage.
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- Ms. Shakara begum councilor/Muslahathi committee member
- Ms. Saeeda Tabassum councilor/Muslahathi committee member
- Ms. Saiqa Nousheen councilor
- Ms. Raffith Ara Khattak consultant Gender issue CIP project
- Ms.Shahzadi SHO women Police station
- Ms.Gul Akbar Police deptt
- Ms.Naheed Aslam Education Deptt
At the end the women group submit action plan.
First priority is to meet the Police officials; date was set on 6th of December 2008
Other issues rose to be tackle by the committee.
The Project was very encouraged to note that Punjab Police has also contacted for holding such training workshops on the subject for their personnel as well. The matter has been forwarded to Asia Foundation for further action.
To find a place for the committee members out side the police station. Committee will be expanded with the passage of time.
Launch was served at the end.
To view Pictures Click Here
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