May 2022 | UCLG ASPAC LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme funded by the EU conducted more varied activities this month to support the programme’s goal on accelerating SDGs localisation in the country.
District Level Trainings on Mainstreaming SDGs on Local Development Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting across Sindh and Balochistan
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 (Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta) | The LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme has actively completed the pre-training preparations to instrumentalise capacity building modules, tailored to the needs and requirements of the elected representatives of local government and officials in Sindh and Balochistan. The team has completed the scheduling, clustering of districts, nomination of participants and devised a media coverage plan for the training workshops.
The Trainings are to provide knowledge of SDGs and their targets, localisation of SDGs, the role and responsibilities of local government for mainstreaming SDGs in district plans, to identify the needs and priorities of their people, and articulate the priority in the district development plans and its alignment with SDGs targets/indicators.
These trainings are formulated at district levels during May, June, and July 2022 to build the capacity of the district government. A pool of master trainers has been trained to deliver the training to the elected leaders and government functionaries in all 63 districts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces. The two-day training format has been formulated for 450 plus participants in clusters comprised of four or five districts at a selected venue accessible for the district functionaries, Local Council Associations members and community organisations.
Memorandum of Understanding: Government of Balochistan and Local Council Association of Balochistan under LEAD Programme
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 (Quetta) | The Government of Balochistan and the Local Councils Association of Balochistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration to enhance the capacity of local bodies. The Local Government Department of Government of Balochistan agreed to acknowledge the project and to come forward for technical and institutional support to enhance the capacity of local bodies. The agreement will provide support to the improvement of communities’ socio-economic through the localisation of SDGs in the region. On the occasion, Hon. Provincial-Local Government Minister said that local bodies have a key role to play in solving public problems at the grassroots level. The role of institutions cannot be forgotten in any way, the Balochistan government is taking all possible steps to improve the capacity of local bodies
Two-Part Radio Awareness Programme Broadcast to Break Barriers against Women | Experts Discussed Women Related Issues (Goal 5, Gender Equality)
Monday-Tuesday, May 16-17, 2022 (Quetta) | A two-part awareness-raising programme was broadcast through Radio Sky FM 89 on SDGs Goal 5 “Gender Equality” in Quetta, Balochistan. The programme was broadcast through different platforms nationally and internationally.
The programme aimed to create a friendly environment to get access to human rights and women’s rights and make a change in the patriarchal society and break the socially constructed rules and attitudes towards women and stop all forms of violence against women.
The discourse of part one encompassed the meaning of Gender Equality, the essence of equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities without gender bias.
District Alliance Members linked the topic with regional case studies of Balochistan and agreed on the fact that women’s equality and empowerment is one of the pertinent SDGs (Goal5) and also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development.
On the second day of the programme, experts explained the neglected issue of unpaid domestic work in the rural region where women perform the bulk of household and fieldwork without any pay or remuneration and as a result they remained disproportionately affected by poverty, exploitation and discrimination.
Both programmes ended up with the plan to make policy proposals for the government to promote women’s ability to secure decent jobs, accumulate assets, influence institutions and, protect women from violence. Such public policies will determine the growth and development of women in the workplace.
Experts agreed on the recommendations and commit to putting these suggestions before the responsible persons.
LEAD Programme Featured in A Live Television Transmission on National TV
Monday, May 16, 2022 (Quetta) | The LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme was featured on National Television (PTV) Channel PTV Bolan, the highest reach in far-flung areas of Balochistan. During the special programme, District Alliance Quetta Member Ashfaq Mengal, Civil Society Expert and Coordinator ADLG, Ms Zaib Un Nisa discussed various themes such as women’s participation in upcoming local government elections in Balochistan, roadmap to cope gender centric challenges of the region, inclusiveness, effective delimitations and the role of LG in localising SDGs were discussed. The experts explained the importance of SDGs alignment in local development projects. In an answer to a question, it’s been discussed that Provincial Governments should not use local government funds to introduce projects just to increase vote bank, rather they should transfer funds at the local level for more aligned, relevant and sustainable development projects. Aspiring women who are contesting local government elections for the very first time joined the programme through call and shared their need for local government training institutes, they proposed the eligibility of education to matriculation for women to participate in LG election, so the upcoming pool of local government members can understand laws, policies and need of people.
