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Sharing Solutions for Sustainable Development: From Rawalpindi to the UN HLPF

As a transgender rights activist from Pakistan and the co-founder of PINK Center, I had the extraordinary privilege of participating in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2024. Bringing together world leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, youth delegates, and stakeholders, the annual platform serves as a global stage to review progress, share best practices, and chart new paths towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).    The HLPF 2024: A Global Stage for Sustainable Development The High-Level Political Forum 2024 was a whirlwind of innovative ideas, youth engagement, and global cooperation. This year's forum, under [...]

2024-10-08T10:08:27+00:008th October 2024|

Measuring Success: Leading with a positive approach in Pakistan

Fayyaz Yaseen believes strongly in the democratization of information. And not any old information; the kind that takes context, framing and emerging issues into account. The kind that clarifies for people their place in the world and what they can do from where they stand. As Accountability Lab Pakistan’s Executive Director, Yaseen’s strong background in policy at the think tank Sustainable Development Policy Initiative (SDPI) in Pakistan sparked an initial love for knowledge creation and sharing, and social accountability. “We thought if we can begin including more people into the discussions around service delivery and good governance – if the [...]

2024-08-27T08:53:02+00:0026th August 2024|

Lessons on enhancing women’s representation in Pakistan’s judicial system

The underrepresentation of women in Pakistan’s legal and justice systems is a significant impediment to societal equity and progress. This issue was brought into sharp focus during a recent orientation session organized by UN Women for the Gender Parity Project, to which Accountability Lab Pakistan is an implementing partner. The event underscored the critical need for a multifaceted approach to gender parity, highlighting both the achievements and persistent challenges in this area. This analysis explores the necessity of women-centric projects in enhancing women’s representation in Pakistan’s judicial system, addresses the representation gap, examines institutional reforms and community engagement, discusses capacity [...]

2024-08-01T08:39:38+00:001st August 2024|

Pakistan’s labor quandary: comprehensive reforms and human rights protection needed

Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st and commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, United States of America, where many workers lost their lives fighting for eight-hour workdays. In response to this historical event, Pakistan has adopted this day as a public holiday. Every year, newspapers across the country display a picture of a laborer carrying bricks in the scorching heat, a kiln worker with a miserable expression, a security guard on the brink of exhaustion, or a sanitary worker staring at the camera lens with lifeless eyes. However, although it is a widely recognized holiday, most daily-wage laborers [...]

2023-12-18T16:33:24+00:0012th December 2023|

Combating violence against the transgender community in Pakistan

Written by Fouzia Khan Bhittani We live in a world encompassing different beliefs and cultures that generate specific attitudes and stances toward gender diversity. However, these attitudes define the marginalization of a particular community or people, like the transgender community in Pakistan, commonly referred to as the Khawaja Sira—a group of people that includes various forms of gender deviance. Khawaja Sira covers anyone that bends the societal construction of gender, including people who identify as transsexual, choose to cross-dress, identify as true hermaphrodites, are genderqueer youth, intersex people, and eunuchs. The transgender community has gained little visibility in Pakistan, as [...]

2023-06-14T11:53:25+00:0014th June 2023|

Countering fake news major responsibility of youth: experts

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday said countering fake news and disinformation was the prime responsibility of the youth. They showed serious concerns over the rising trend of fake news and urged the government to take immediate steps to tackle the complex issue. They said efforts should also be made to counter misinformation and fake news through educational interventions. The seminar ‘Impact of fake news and disinformation on the upcoming general election in Pakistan’ was organised by a think-tank, Accountability Lab, at Islamic International University Islamabad (IIUI). Speakers included digital media expert Waqas Naeem, Zile Huma, Director Election Commission [...]

2023-06-06T17:56:28+00:0030th May 2023|

Deciphering Fake News and Its Implications

Written by Khadijah Saeed  Fake news refers to the deliberate spread of misinformation and often has an ulterior motive for political, social, economic, or personal gains. It is a fabricated expression disseminated systematically in an organized manner, which appears true. Such stories consist of nonfactual information and sources that often affect electoral behaviors and influence conditions of wars to promote divisive narratives. Fake news has emerged as a threat multiplier in a digitally interconnected world.   The motivation behind the dissemination of fake news by media houses stems from the attraction for sensationalism among the audience. Each burning geopolitical issue accompanies [...]

2022-12-12T14:42:40+00:0012th December 2022|

Experts stress on responsible journalism to counter effects of fake news, misinformation

Rawalpindi: In an Seminar arranged by the Accountability Lab Pakistan held at the Rawalpindi Press Club where speakers discussed the key drivers and impacts of fake news and disinformation upon Society, especially on our youth and Role of Journalism. The event was Chaired by Incharge Rawalpindi Press Club Ms Shakela Jalil: Ms. Shazia Mehboob Editor Digital Media Plat form “The PenPK.com, and Mr. Javed Rana senior journalist and analyst CEO/The Editor of The Digital Dispatch, an Investigative Multimedia Digital Magazine were among the key speakers. The event was attended by a large number of Journalist from various print and electronic [...]

2022-12-14T22:16:41+00:002nd December 2022|

Consolidating support for the transgender community

Written by Tirelo Makwela In May 2018, the Pakistan government passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, a comprehensive response to ensure the rights and welfare of the trans community are protected. It was hailed as a win for the transgender community but experience has shown that the law alone is not enough to ensure the safety and prosperity of transgender people. Many still face harassment, exclusion and violence in public spaces, even when trying to access government services. According to a report by the Guardian, 2021 was the deadliest year for the trans community, with more than 300 [...]

2022-12-07T14:32:41+00:0021st October 2022|

Collaborative approach to deal with effects of fake news and disinformation on freedom of expression

In an event arranged at the National Press Club by Accountability Lab speakers discussed the key drivers and impacts of fake news and disinformation on society and especially on youth. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dean, Social Sciences Department, International Islamic University, Islamabad; Ms. Zill e Huma, Deputy Director at the Press Information Department, Iftikhar Sherazi, Bureau Chief, Dawn News and Dr. Sadia Kamal, who is senior journalist and former vice president of the NPC, were among the key speakers. The event was attended by representatives from local media, civil society and students from various academic institutions. In her opening remarks Dr. [...]

2022-11-10T06:46:16+00:0019th October 2022|
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