OPTIONS FOR DRL PROGRAMMING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 013378

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2016
TAGS: KWMN PGOV PHUM PK
SUBJECT: OPTIONS FOR DRL PROGRAMMING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE
WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

REF: ISLAMABAD 13344

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Consultations with Pakistan's Minister of
Women's Affairs, as well as women legal scholars and
activists from across Pakistan, point to two promising areas
for USG assistance in promoting women's human rights in
Pakistan. The first is support for public information
campaigns to help the government disseminate information on
changes in laws affecting women. The second avenue to
support women would be through programming that improves
their economic status. End Summary.


2. (C) Post has conducted a series of meetings with female
legal scholars and human rights activists across Pakistan, as
well as with the country's dynamic new Minister of Women's
Affairs, Sumaira Malik. The recurring messages from these
meetings include the following:

-- Pakistan must improve legal protections for and cultural
attitudes towards women;

-- Actions that meaningfully address women's human rights
will be politically sensitive and risky;

-- A one-size-fits-all approach will not work - the issues
vary too greatly from province to province and are deeply
steeped in local cultures; and

-- Programs should be designed so as not to personalize the
cause or solutions around any single individual or victim.


3. (C) All sources discussed the possible backlash that
could result from support for programs that address women's
issues if the assistance is "Western," stressing that if the
USG wishes to be helpful in promoting women's rights,
assistance should be delivered through respected local
organizations.


4. (C) If the Minister of Women's Affairs succeeds in
securing amendments to current laws that affect women
(reftel),information campaigns will be necessary to spread
the word to those who enforce and those who are affected by
the laws. For example, as radio and television coverage does
not reach all corners of Pakistan, the Minister was
enthusiastic about community dramas that could be performed
in town and villages throughout the country, presenting
serious messages in an entertaining manner, or training Lady
Health Workers, who routinely visit rural homes, to
disseminate information on these laws.


5. (C) Post's contacts also agreed that many of the
problems Pakistani women face arise from their economic
disempowerment. To address this, our contacts suggested that
the U.S. sponsor programs that provide micro-credit, business
and bookkeeping training, and support for development of
women-owed medium-enterprises that add value to any number of
the country's primary products, including dairy, agriculture
or mining produce. The Minister suggested possible
partnership with international enterprises that are familiar
with import/export standards and gradings.


6. (C) Post recommends that DRL solicit submissions from
eligible NGOs that propose creative pro-women public
information campaigns and/or economic empowerment programs.
Due to the sensitivities underscored to us several times,
post strongly urges that all submissions require partnership
and on-the-ground implementation through respected Pakistani
NGOs.
CROCKER