The vision of Awaz-e-Niswan (AAN) is to coalesce as a membership-based, non-partisan network of women voters across Pakistan, coming together to articulate their needs and priorities for a gender just Pakistan, and emerge as a powerful constituency recognized by elected representatives and duty bearers. Its objectives are:
- To increase the visibility and influence of women voters and their issues amongst duty bearers including elected representatives through the formation of a vibrant national network of women voters.
- To draw attention and resources to priority areas of concern of female voters and engage with elected representatives and government functionaries to address these issues.
Awaz-e-Niswan (AAN), began as a pilot project, funded by UNDEF (2016-2018) implemented by the Center of Gender and Policy Studies (CGaPS) as the national secretariat in partnership with women led/ women focused CSOs in 10 districts across 5 regions of Pakistan. As a result the AAN network chapters were formed in 10 districts: Larkana, and Hyderabad (Sindh), Multan and Rajanpur (Punjab), Quetta and Noshki (Balochistan), Abbotabad and Haripur (KP), Gilgit, Hunza (Gilgit Baltistan). AAN was later incorporated as a non-profit in November 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
How We Work
All women 18 years old and above can become members of AAN. Members accept the AAN Charter and gain understanding of their rights and obligations as voters to become AAN members. Young women (18-29 years old) are receive training as Young Women Leaders. Each district forms local chapters of AAN that are self-governing and adhere to the guiding principles of the network. Each local chapter has a governing body democratically elected by the general members voting. Local chapters prepare their own plans based on the priorities identified by the members and regularly interact with district government and elected representatives in order to raise women’s specific concerns and work for gender equitable budgetary allocations and outcomes.
Awaz-e-Niswan Charter
Awaz-e-Niswan (AAN) is a membership based network of women voters across the country. It is not affiliated to any political party or organization and aims to represent the concerns of women voters in Pakistan irrespective of their political, social or geographic locations.
AAN Principles
- Women are full-fledged citizens of Pakistan able to exercise all their Constitutional rights.
- Women have the right to political, economic and social participation and advancement
- Women have a right to live a life free of violence
- Women have the right to participate at all levels of decision-making, whether in their homes, their communities, at the workplace or in politics.
- Women have the right to cast informed votes in local, provincial and national elections
- Women have a right to be engaged in political processes without fear of violence