Women’s Colloquium Pre- conference activity for the Fourth Karachi International Water Conference and Launch of Women and Water Network Islamabad Chapter

The Womens Colloquium held on Saturday, 3rd Aug 2019, at Islamabad is the first of the pre-conference events for the 4th Karachi International Water Conference to be held on 26th and 27th Nov, 2019. The colloquium was organized at the Aurat Foundation head office, Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programs, Aurat Foundation welcomed the participants. Ms. Simi Kamal, Chair Academic Committee, Hisaar Foundation spoke about Global Trends in Water and the Role of Women. She highlighted that Women are the primary users and managers of water but have no control over decision making and this has to change, the woman and water nexus has to be acknowledged and a gender-responsive planning for the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is required where differentials among men and women in the water, energy and food sectors are addressed. Ms. Kamal shared profiles of global, regional and local women water leaders and their significant contributions in the water sector.

Ms. Farzana Saleem of CapNet Pakistan, spoke on Gender and IWRM and introduced the work of Women’s only strategic initiative of Women and Water Network (WWN). An initiative of Hisaar Foundation, WWN has been operational in Pakistan since 2001 and has several chapters across urban and rural areas. WWNs bring in women from all sectors of society, such that their voice can be effectively channeled into mainstream policies, discussions and actions relating to water, food and livelihood issues. The WWN networks have been actively involved in advocacy and intervention programs and with their engagement water conservation training have been provided to more than 400 school teachers and over 9,000 students to date.

At this event, WWN Islamabad Chapter was also launched.  All 40 women present at the event have joined the WWN Islamabad.

A committee was formed for WWN Islamabad:

  • Samina Shoaib, President WWN
  • Zartasha, General Secretary
  • Farhana Saaqi,
  • Dolutana Kousar

Technical members for WWN ISB are:

  • Farzana Saleem
  • Farkhanda Aurngzaib

Secretarial Coordination & support

  • Mumtaz Mughal

This chapter will soon be meeting to set out its own action plan.

The discussions, learnings and conclusions from this colloquium will form part of the conference. Leading to the conference four more womens colloquium events are planned to be held in provincial capitals across Pakistan in collaboration with the Aurat Foundation.