What We Do:
PWA has facilitated over 17,000 cases of abuse against women since 1987

 

 We have guided these victims in desperate need of help providing assistance with:

►

 Filing their criminal cases with the police.

►

 Finding attorneys to take their cases through the court system,
offering legal assistance.

►

 Providing emotional and moral support.

►

 Offering alternatives for residential living situations.

►

 Providing organizational and governmental contacts for them.
 

All strategies for the empowerment of women fail,
if she is relieved of the shackles of violence.
 
Our Campaign "Against Burn Victims" .......
               Just one category of extreme Violence Against Women
Our fist case was the infamous "Zainab Noor Case": 

 

 She was burned by her husband who inserted red-hot iron rods in her genitalia and passed electric current through them. 
  "We have collected over 7,500 "Fire Victims" data from March 1994 to August 2005 from only three hospitals in the twin cities.  Only 0.1% of these women survived.  We pursued and investigated about 300 cases after visiting the sites of the incidents."
  PWA demonstrated against and fought this case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and won, however the criminal escaped custody.
 The shocking truth: 
  There is currently only a 4% conviction rate against the perpetrators of these horrible crimes of burning women.
 Woman Gang-Raped on the Orders of a Local Village Jury !
Read the PWA petition to the government of Pakistan on this infamous case.

Rape Victim named as Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year for 2005. 
Link to News Story

"When the Voiceless Find a Voice" News Story
150 women burnt (in Pakistan) in six months:   PWA  - Link Here to Victims

In the worst form of human rights violations more than 150 burnt women were registered in the twin cities and localities in the last six months, claimed Progressive Women Association (PWA) on Wednesday (2003). Addressing a press conference, PWA chairperson Shahnaz Bukhari said that PWA for the past six months registered and dealt with more than 150 cases of burns." 
Link here for the whole story  Story credit:  Pak Tribune
 
 Domestic Violence Workshops We Have Conducted:
  Since 1994 PWA has held Provincial Domestic Violence Workshops
    December 1994 - 2 day national workshop on Domestic Violence
    December 1996 - Workshop on "A Supportive Legal System for Domestic Violence"
    January 1999 - A National workshop "Violence Against Women" on a national level
    2001 - Two workshops were held in which Supreme Court lawyers and judges attended as well as Family Court session judges, advocates, ministers, politicians, government line departments, non-governmental organizations and the victims of Domestic Violence. 
 
 What We Have accomplished:  
    September 1999 - PWA launched the Amnesty International's Report on "Honour Killings" in Islamabad, Pakistan. 
    In 1999 documentation of PWA's research work since 1994, "Women Victims of Fire - "Trial by Fire" was published. 
    2001- "Women Leadership in Politics" a campaign confirming the political awakening of women in Pakistan.  It was supported by UNICEF. 
    2001 - November 25th - PWA coordinated a demonstration to commemorate the United Nations day on violence against women.  This demonstration was aimed at the elimination of the Hadood Laws.  The women participating were later charged and placed in police stations. 
    December 8, 2001 - PWA initiated a campaign to create a Burn Center in Islamabad.  The campaign was launched by Ms Wendy Chamberlain, the designated U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan.
    PWA started a new publication, "On Our Struggle" 
    Since 1996 PWA has been involved in the human trafficking issue.  Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi women were sent back to their countries with the help of their own embassies.  With I.L.O., PWA took are of violence against children issues and child trafficking issues. 
    May 20, 2002 - PWA established a Legal Aid Center in Rawalpindi. 
    Members of PWA were arrested on May 8, 2002 for a demonstration to increase public opposition against the unjust Hadood Laws enacted against Zafran Bibi who was ordered stoned to death in April of 2002. 
    January 2003 - PWA held an interfaith peace prayer, the first time in the history of Pakistan with Indus, Sikhs, Christians and Bahaias participating. 
    March 4, 2003 - PWA organized a peaceful rally "Sky is the Limit" against the alarming rise of Domestic Violence - "Demand for Legislation on Domestic Violence" was placed forward to elected women political leaders. 
    March 8, 2003 - PWA invited youngsters to light 1,000 candles to pay tribute to all the victims of Domestic Violence dead and alive.  The event was called "Rays of Hope, a move toward zero tolerance to violence in society. 

To visit the UN Population Fund website for news about their work with the women in the earthquake damaged areas of Pakistan.  
Link Here

The Progressive Women's Association in Islamabad, Pakistan
Develops Strategies for the Empowerment of Women.

If you wish to help us - Email Here