Training and educating women parliamentarians in Pakistan

Partner Institutes
University of Bradford	Fatima Jinnah Women University

Women in Pakistan have traditionally struggled against a male-dominated society to make their place in the country’s politics. Their absence from decision-making posts at the national and provincial levels means that they have no power to influence laws that affect women or to work towards improving their conditions.

Surprisingly, Pakistan has one of the highest percentages of women in parliament in South Asia and in recent years, has increased the number of reserved seats for women in the provincial and national assemblies. Yet the quality of their representation remains poor due to inadequate training and exposure.

Fatima Jinnah Women University and the University of Bradford are collaborating to address this weakness and educate female parliamentarians on matters of national importance. The researchers realise that the challenge in Pakistan is not simply to increase the numbers of females in the government, but more specifically to enhance the quality of their representation so that they have the power to make a difference.

The aim of the project is to develop a system of training on issues such as peace, conflict, security and democracy which will give women parliamentarians the knowledge and confidence to speak out and effect change. This will be done through a series of Peace Studies modules that will develop their knowledge and competence.

The partnership also plans to establish a Research Centre of Peace and Security Studies at Fatima Jinnah Women University that will provide ongoing parliamentary training and seek collaborations with local and international institutions on peace and conflict issues.

Lessons learnt:

• During the course of this project, the project team has learned to manage challenging projects involving a number of stakeholders in an effective way.

• The project team should be focused on the activity plan and shouldn’t try to be over ambitious.

• Keeping a close eye on the issues surrounding the target audience.

Challenges: 

• The security situation in Pakistan was a major challenge during this project. The UK partner had difficulties in getting travel insurance for their visits to Pakistan. Further, the project activities were also delayed due to the security situation.

• Having access to women parliamentarians was difficult because of their busy schedule.

Impact:

The project facilitates the women parliamentarians on the issues of peace, security and conflict and ensures to:

• Strengthen the capacity at FJWU in peace and conflict related research and training.

• Strengthen the capabilities and leadership skills of female parliamentarians on national strategic issues.

• Enhance debate on peace and conflict issues within Pakistan’s national political institutions that mainstreams gender perspectives.

• Improve sustainable and close collaborative links between FJWU and CICS that will facilitate future joint research and training. 

• Engage the Women’s Caucus, PIPS, donors and academic institutions / think tanks in consideration of how research links on gender, peace and conflict issues can be enhanced in Pakistan, and how academic research / resources can feed into the programme and policy making / evaluation process.

  

Key Contacts:

Dr. Julia Buxton, University of Bradford

J.D.Buxton@bradford.ac.uk, www.bradford.ac.uk

Dr. Saima Kiyani, Fatima Jinnah Women University

drsaimakayani@gmail.com, www.fjwu.edu.pk

Impact of environmental pollutants on fish and fisheries in Punjab, Pakistan

Partner Institutes
University of Aberdeen	University of Vet and Animal Sciences, Lahore

Fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in the economy of many developed countries. Pakistan has plenty of water reservoirs that contain a diverse fish fauna. But with time, pollution has become a major problem for the aquaculture industry in Pakistan. Universities and research institutions are trying to help by focusing research on the hazardous effects of pollution and the dangers posed to valuable natural resources.

An association of University of Aberdeen, UK and Environmental Toxicology Laboratory, University of Vet and Animal Sciences, Lahore plans to evaluate the impact of environmental pollution on fish and fisheries in the Punjab region. The project will pinpoint heavily polluted sensitive sites, by surveying and analysing water samples.

University of Aberdeen will provide technical assistance as well as training to faculty members from UVAS involved in the project. The UK team will also visit Pakistan for exchange of ideas and information regarding environmental issues in both countries. During the term of the project, researchers from UVAS will design academic courses for graduate/postgraduate students in Pakistan, with one diploma course planned to strengthen the educational status of fish farmers.

The project has short-term impacts, such as strengthening the research capabilities of faculty and laboratories of the partner institutes, with the potential to publish higher quality scientific publications from work carried out.

Long-term advantages include an increased number of trained faculty and students to enhance the Pakistani knowledge and skills base, and research findings that can enhance aquaculture production for a sustained small-scale industry, with potential to contribute to the economy of the country.

Lessons learnt:

• Extent of degradation/deterioration of natural aquatic resources due to environmental pollutants in Punjab.
• Serious deleterious impacts of untreated industrial and domestic effluents on aquatic biodiversity which was highlighted by eminent scientists during the celebration of World Water Day on 22nd March, 2012 under this project .
• DISKE workshop organized by BC at Ravi Campus, Pattoki motivated the participants from academia and industry about the importance of Knowledge Exchange between stakeholders. After this Workshop Vice Chancellor of UVAS, visited Uni. Of Aberdeen under DISKE grants for future collaboration.

Challenges faced:

• Security concerns in Pakistan are often a major challenge for foreign visitors.
• Non-availability of atomic absorption is causing delay for the estimation of heavy metals.
• Fish collection from auctioned water bodies during off season is difficult and special arrangements with the contractor have to be worked out.

Impact:

• During this project, through discussions & field visits the capacity of 36 students, 02 Lab technicians and 02 faculty members was built.
• Baseline data of heavily polluted areas of Lahore, Kasur, Multan & Faisalabad will be available for future studies.
• On site training /awareness among general public, farmers & students through seminars/workshops about the health hazards of water pollution.
• Role of heavy metals deposition in various parts of fish, their impact on fish breeding and human health through food chain.

Key contacts:

Prof. Dr. Christopher J. Secombes, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK.

c.secombes@abdn.ac.uk, http://www.abdn.ac.uk/

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sharif Mughal, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

sharifmughal@hotmail.com

harif.mughal@uvas.edu.pk, www.uvas.edu.pk