Some Milestones in Pakistan Regarding the Struggle Against Dowry Abuses/Violence

 

Highlighting the Efforts of Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen

 

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1995–1998

• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, as an anchor for live morning shows on PTV and as a columnist, highlighted the issue.

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1999–2013

• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, as a theatre (interactive, shadow & street) writer, producer, and director, highlighted the issue.

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1999–To Date

• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen has addressed the multifaceted issue of dowry and related violence in numerous TV & radio talk shows, interviews, and panel discussions.

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1999

• SACHET Pakistan, a multidimensional nonprofit, was co-founded by Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen and started working on gender issues through service delivery and advocacy initiatives.
• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, the founding Executive Director, produced Gender Watch Pilot Series, aired on PTV, which won the PTV Excellence Award in 2001.

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2000

• AGEHI (meaning insights/awareness in Urdu) was established by Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen.
• It initiated advocacy and awareness programs addressing gender-based violence, with special attention to dowry-related violence in Pakistan.

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2001

• FAD (Fight Against Dowry) Project launched.
• AGEHI Resource Center’s study report “Violence Against Women in Pakistan” launched.

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2002

• FAD Project research presented at the 3rd Annual PAP Population Research Conference.
• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen presented her research paper at an International Conference on Dowry in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• First-ever public service message on dowry aired on TV networks, produced by AGEHI.
• Seminar on Gender-Based Violence & Dowry organized in Lahore in collaboration with Himmat Society, British Council, and UNDP.

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2003

• FAD (Fight Against Dowry / Jahez ke Khilaf Jang) TV magazine show by AGEHI aired on PTV.
• Legal Rights Awareness Sessions initiative launched by AGEHI.
• SACHET organized and facilitated the first national workshop on dowry in collaboration with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, involving justices from all four provinces and key stakeholders, recommending changes in existing dowry laws.

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2004

• First national one-day FAD workshop for focal persons held in Islamabad; FADAN formally launched.
• Sixteen Days of Activism Campaign: advocacy and awareness on dowry-related issues conducted by FADAN.
• Shadow play “Hum Daikhain Gainn” performed on National Women’s Day (12th February) at Aabpara Community Center, Islamabad.

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2005

• Four provincial seminars held in Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar, and Quetta, sensitizing around 1,500 people on dowry violence.
• Shadow play “Apnay Baitay ke Naam jo main paida na kar saki – Aik Chitthi” performed on International Women’s Day (March 8) at NIC Auditorium and later at AGEHI Training Hall.

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2006

• World Bank’s report “Country Gender Assessment” acknowledged the FAD Project as an effective advocacy effort.
• “Women Friendly Spaces and Hammams” project initiated in District Mansehra (funded by UNFPA).
• AGEHI theatre group performed at World Social Forum, Karachi (March 21).
• Second national FAD workshop for change-makers held (July 10).
• FADAN Yahoo group launched as an open forum for dialogue on dowry violence.

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2007

• Silver Ribbon Movement to End Dowry Violence launched during the 16 Days of Activism (Nov 25 – Dec 10) to raise awareness on violence against women and girls.

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2008

• Poster launched under FADAN – Silver Ribbon Movement to mark the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

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2009–2014

• AGEHI launched poster: “FADAN – Challenging the Elitist Consensus on Dowry Issues.”
• Book “From Gender Watch to FADAN” published, covering a decade of advocacy work.
• Continued community engagement, media outreach, youth involvement, and activism on dowry-related violence.

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2015

• Sixteen Days of Activism Campaign: advocacy and awareness on dowry issues by FADAN.
• Collaboration with the National Human Rights Council to highlight dowry violence at policy level and advocate for effective legislation.
• Focus expanded to include impacts on men and boys as well.
• 17 November 2015 declared as Anti-Dowry Day by FADAN.

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2016–2018

• Anti-Dowry Day (17 November) observed regularly.
• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen advocated for stronger legislation through conferences, TV shows, youth engagement, and writings (Daily Times & AHRC).
• In 2018, UN Women launched a campaign against dowry demands and related issues.

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Recognitions

2001

• Invited as key speaker at an international conference on dowry in Bangladesh, organized by the British Council.

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2003

• Formally recognized as an Ashoka Fellow.

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2009–2012

• Led a pioneering national research study on dowry violence in Pakistan in collaboration with UNIFEM (now UN Women).
• Research titled “Forgotten” published in 2012.

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2010

• Selected for IAF Fellowship (South Asia) on Human and Civil Rights – International Leadership Academy of Fellows, Theodor Heuss Academy, Gummersbach, Germany.