| Introduction |
Pakistan presents a unique opportunity
for Western citizens to understand life for women living
in a conservative Islamic society. Founded in 1947, Pakistan
was envisioned as a homeland for the Muslims of the Indian
subcontinent. For centuries, traders, warriors and adventurers
such as Alexander the Great, Marco Polo and Genghis Khan
have entered the area around the fertile Indus River basin
in search of fortune. The historical significance of the
area is visible in ruined cities, marble tombs, Mughal
Forts and decorated mosques. The country's historical
significance as a crossroad continues today, as Pakistan
houses nearly 3 million refugees fleeing more than two
decades of war and civil strife in neighboring Afghanistan.
From city to city, one can see the different influences
and merging of the secular and the religious. The three
cities on our journey will capture the impact of religion
in daily life, especially women's education, dress and
freedoms. |
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Cities to be Visited
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Islamabad
Our journey begins in the national capital, a planned
residential city of lush public gardens, tree-shaded thoroughfares,
and futuristic architecture, with visits to venerated
shrines and mosques as well as to Afghan refugee encampments
and makeshift schools.
Lahore
In this historical capital of the Punjab and heart of
cultural and intellectual life in modern Pakistan, we
will explore some of the richest treasures of the 16th-century
Mughal empire: palaces, gardens, mosques, tombs and the
impressive Lahore Fort.
Peshawar
A crossroads for trade for 2000 years, today this capital
of the North-West
Frontier is home to Pathan tribesmen and more than two
million Afghans. Bazaars teeming with people and full
of textiles, silver and brass, traditional teashops and
Chappli Kababs invite you to experience traditional daily
life. |
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Preliminary Itinerary
|
Arrival Sunday August 15 - Departure
Sunday August 22
|
|
| Day |
Activity |
| 1 |
Arrival in Islamabad & evening
group orientation and welcome. |
| 2 |
Sightseeing in Islamabad;
visit SACH & their shelter. |
| 3 |
Bridging Worlds Workshop
in Islamabad; optional sightseeing and shopping. |
| 4 |
Bridging Worlds
Workshop in Islamabad (cont'd); optional sightseeing
and shopping. Closing ceremony and reception with
VIPs. |
| 5 |
Drive to Lahore in the morning;
sightseeing, shopping. |
| 6 |
Site visit to women's group
in Lahore; drive to Peshawar in afternoon. |
| 7 |
Visit Afghan Women's Welfare
Department and Jalozai Afghan refugee camp in Peshawar;
visit city of Peshawar. |
| 8 |
Departure for Afghanistan. |
|
|
The Work of Women's Organizations |
| Both Pakistani and Afghan women's
organizations are very active in Pakistan. Despite some
antecedents, the modern non-governmental organizations
(NGO) sector traces most of its growth back only to the
1980s. In most instances, the government is presumed to
have the responsibility for social welfare issues, but
economic costs and politics tend to leave a large share
of the responsibility for these issues in the hands of
the NGO sector. While the government acknowledges the
significant contribution of NGOs, multiple constraints
exist, making it extremely difficult for many groups,
especially those run by women, to be officially registered
and acknowledged by the Pakistani government. Afghan NGOs,
in most instances, are not legally authorized to operate
because the United Nations is unwilling to grant official
refugee status to more than 3 million Afghans residing
in Pakistan. Recent efforts to return refugees to Afghanistan
have been unsuccessful due to the limited infrastructure
(housing, utilities, education, etc.) available in Afghanistan.
|
|
Bridging Worlds Workshops |
| Bridging Worlds workshops allow
our travelers to be a part of history in the making, observing
in just two days the power of women finding their own
voices. You will share in the excitement as young women
leaders, representing women's groups from around the country,
come together - - many for the first time - - to describe
their work, goals and dreams for women in their country.
As they share lessons learned, network and create women-to-women
bridges, a strengthening of the collective mission to
serve and empower women becomes tangible. The workshop
will also feature the democratic election of four Emerging
Leaders to participate in Jagriti's 2005 leadership training
program in the U.S. As witnesses to this election and
the women's stories, Jagriti travelers validate the courageous
efforts of local women to improve their lives and realize
their dreams. We will arrive as strangers and leave as
friends and global sisters. |
|
Women's Groups |
BlueVeins
works with breast cancer victims, who often face severe
taboos and oppression due to misunderstandings about this
illness in Pakistani society. Their goal is to "increase
public awareness about breast cancer and ensure that individuals
from all socioeconomic backgrounds have rapid access to
current relevant education, support and information about
this disease." Today Blue Veins is a growing national
group of volunteers who embrace the motto, "Awareness,
Action, and Advocacy."
SACH (Sach-Struggle for
Change) works toward the rehabilitation and reintegration
of survivors of organized violence and torture. They focus
primarily on women and children, who are often the most
oppressed, but more specifically with victims who are
in prison and refugees who have fled from their native
lands due to war or inhumane treatment. The organization's
goals are to raise consciousness against torture and violence
while training professionals to work with these victims
of torture.
Shirkat Gah's goal
is to fully empower women in a just, vibrant, democratic,
tolerant and environmentally sound society, where equity
and opportunity are ensured for all. Shirkat Gah seeks
to promote women appropriate development schemes, programs,
policies and laws; to enhance women's autonomy, access
to resources, and all levels of decision making; and to
help catalyze a socio-cultural perspective premised on
gender equality at all levels. Shirkat Gah has various
programs such as a Women and Law program and outreach
programs.
Afghan Women's Welfare Department
(AWWD) was established to deal with women-related
emergency needs and to provide services to Afghan refugee
women. AWWD provides community based programs, especially
in refugee camps where the most vulnerable women live.
The goal of the organization is to elevate the educational
and social status of Afghan women within the family, Afghan
community, and the world at large. In the past twelve
years, AWWD has provided literacy, basic health care and
vocational and income generation training to approximately
6000 Afghan refugee women in Peshawar. |
|
Other Points of Interest |
- Shalimar Gardens: Majestic in size and scope, these
gardens are a testimony to Lahore's Mughal history
and a popular destination for modern recreation.
- Jaipur, "the pink city"( capital of Rajasthan),
the "abode of kings": Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa
Mahal (Palace of the Wind)
- Ahmedabad (Gujarat State, center for design and
textiles, especially cotton): Manek Chowk, Hriday
Kunj (ashram of Mahatma Gandhi)
|
|
| Security and Safety |
| The Jagriti International will take
all necessary precautions to secure the safety and well
being of all participants. Working with local tourist,
government and non-government officials and accompanied
at all times by local experts, we will seek to provide
the maximum experience at minimum risk. The inherent risks
of travel must, however, be assumed by each individual
participant. |
|
| Cost: |
$1,500 (not including international
airfare) Price Includes:
- Double room accommodations in 3/4 star hotels (add
$300 for single room)
- Two meals per day
- Local transportation
- All program activities
- Entrance fees
- Trip leaders and guides
- Translators
- Preparatory reading materials
- $100 tax-deductible donation to women's organizations
visited
- International airfare, visas, tips and personal
expenses are NOT include
|
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| How to Join an Awakening
Journey |
Please contact the Jagriti International
by e-mail, info@jagriti-international.org
or by telephone 805-969-9092 for an application. We must
receive your application and a deposit of $500, 45 days
prior to departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied
to late applications. Payments by Visa or MasterCard are
welcome. This trip will be limited to 15 participants
so please register early.
Sign-up
now |
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Web Sites of Interest |
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