A journey from June 2001 to June 2006

• The concept of FIGHT AGAINST DOWRY (FAD) was evolved.

• AGEHI Resource Center conducted a survey “Dowry & Our Youth” in Oct –2001, to assess the perceptions of youth on the issue. Research included 210 students from International Islamic University, Quaid-e-Azam University, National Institute of Science & Technology, Petromen & OPF Girls College, Islamabad.

• Fight Against Dowry (FAD) was launched on 26th November 2001 on the occasion of International day on the Eradication of Violence Against Women. An interactive session was organized with youth from diverse walks of life at the training room, SACHET.

• Group discussion on dowry with youth was held at AGEHI Resource Center training room.

• Signature campaign started on 26th November 2001, 2000 signatures to date have endorsed our view point on the issue of Dowry.

• In December FAD started its Interactive Advocacy sessions with the rural community. 2002

• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen presented her research paper Dowry: a Socio-Cultural Perspective from Pakistan in an International Conference (29-30th January 2003) in Dhaka Bangladesh.

• Due to the efforts of FAD, Lahore TV presented a show Open Forum (Khawateen Time) on the issue of Dowry.

• A one day seminar on the issue of Dowry was organized by Himmat Society, Lahore. It was conceptualized by SACHET and funded by British Council. H.E Mr. Hillary Simmont the then British High Commissioner was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen presented her key note address in the seminar.

• SACHET developed a one minute Spot to generate awareness on dowry and to sensitize youth. This Public service Video Spot was aired on Pakistan Television.

• PTV Lahore Center organized Khawateen Mela to commemorate Women’s day. SACHET participated in the event by disseminating information about Fight Against Dowry and launching its Advocacy Bags.

• Participation in Morning Transmission PTV, in Islamabad in discussion forum on dowry by the media campaign leader.

• Exhibition of Advocacy Bags carrying FAD slogan Fight Against Dowry, at SACHET Gallery.

• July 31st to August 21st FAD interacted with institutions from all over Pakistan for generating a thought provoking process among youth.

• From September 6th till October 20th FAD announced a National Poster Competition inviting youth of Pakistan to give an artistic depiction of the dowry problem in Pakistan.

• On 29th October a panel consisting of eminent artists and media professionals was invited to select six best entries.

• On 19th November 2002 FAD invited creative minds and challenge seekers to participate in an evening dedicated to FAD. Mr. Iftikhar Arif a renowned writer and Chairperson of Pakistan Academy of Letters was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

• Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen presented a paper “Dowry and silence of the civic Society: a micro study on the coverage of dowry related issues in the selected newspapers of Pakistan” in the Annual Conference of Population Association of Pakistan (PAP) held on 19th December 2002, Lahore, Pakistan.

• SACHET published Planner 2003 with the slogan say “No to Dowry”. 2003

• FAD Launched Calendar/Poster (Dowry as perceived by Pakistani Youth) on 7th January 2003. Ms. Ayla Malik, MNA was the chief guest on the occasion.

• FAD produced a 13-episode TV Magazine Show FAD-Fight Against Dowry (Jehaiz K Khilaf Jang). The first episode was aired on 9th January 2003 in Khawateen Time at 10:30 a.m.

• FAD organized a press show on 6th February 2002 to sensitize media professionals with the issue of Dowry.

• FAD arranged a panel discussion on the book “Islam mein Aurat Ki Gavahi Adhi Nahein” by Advocate Syed M. Anwer. Ms. Kishwar Naheed and Dr. A.Q Khan were among the panelists.

• FAD conducted a 3 day (11-13) screening of its TV magazine show, for research students, civil society professionals and homemakers.

• Towards the end of the year 2002, FAD started its research on Dowry laws. After various consultative process and research FAD conducted a workshop with Legislators on 3rd April 2003, in which plan of action and suggestive amendments were proposed in the Dowry and Bridal Gift (Restriction) Act, 1976.

• FAD-Fight Against Dowry launched FAD Advocacy Network on 3rd April, which is envisioned to be a network of all those concerned citizens and professionals who want to contribute to the issue of dowry and dowry violence.

• On April 9th, FAD-Fight Against Dowry gave its amendments to Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan in connection with the introduction of the draft law for the prohibition of unnecessary expenditure on marriage ceremonies and dowry for general comments and review of the public by the said Commission.

• On 22nd April FAD-Fight Against Dowry Television Series started its repeat telecast on PTV in morning transmission every Tuesday at 8:45 am and on every Thursday in the evening at 12:45 pm.

• The Concluding ceremony of the FAD-Fight Against dowry TV series was arranged on 6th May at AGEHI Resource Center-SACHET at its Training Room with the objectives to review its achievements and contributions and critically analyze that how far it remained successful in generating sensitization, awareness and educating the masses and classes on the social evil of dowry.

• ARY digital started airing TV Magazine Show FAD-Fight Against Dowry (Jehaiz K Khilaf Jang).

• FAD with Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan started working on a joint National Consultation workshop on “Prohibiting Excessive Expenditure on Marriage Ceremonies and Dowry”.

• NEWS Morning, a live current affairs program of PTV World interviewed Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, Dr. Faqir Hussain (Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan) and Ms. Humaira Awais (MPA) to highlight the issue of dowry & dowry violence 29th July 2003.

• GEO TV for the first time in its political forum “Capital Talk” included the social issue of dowry and dowry violence. Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, Executive Vice president SACHET and the person behind this whole movement, Dr. Faqir Hussain (Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan) and Ms. Bilqees Saif (MNA) were the panelists. The interview was aired on 23rd July 2003 10:30 pm and repeated three times.

• Daily Ausaf (Newspaper) in collaboration with Fight Against Dowry-(FAD) organized a focus group discussion on Dowry & Dowry violence in Pakistan on 2nd July 2003 at AGEHI Training room.

• A two-day workshop (25-26 July) on “Prohibiting Excessive Expenditure on Marriage Ceremonies and Dowry” was held in Islamabad, having representation from judiciary, lawyers, community, media, civil society and government officials. Justice Sh. Riaz Ahmad, Chief Justice of Pakistan / Chairman law and Justice Commission chaired the inaugural session.

• Ten research students were provided research facility on the issue of Dowry violence.

• Work on the FIGHT AGAINST DOWRY-(FAD) book started.

• The special session on Fight Against Dowry-(FAD) was placed on 11th August 2003, the second day of International Youth Conference. The Chief Guest was Ms Asia Azeem (MNA).The session was chaired by Ms. Shabnum Shakeel (Poetess). Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen (EVP SACHET & Project Director FAD) gave a presentation on FAD (Fight Against Dowry). It was a successful thought provoking session. Participants of the session were from all age groups, young to old, both male and female of approximately equal ratio but students were more in number that showed the youth concern with the issue.

• Creative Anger (Pakistan) and Context Theatre ( UK) presented a theatre performance “Chat” that highlighted the greed and demand aspects of the Dowry custom at the cultural evening organized as a part of a 3-day International Conference: Youth & Promotion of Human Development Investing in Future by AGEHI Resource Center –SACHET on 12th August 2003.

• The first meeting of FAD Advocacy Network was held on 11th August 2003 during the International Youth Conference.

• Second FAD evening (4th Nov’03) was held with Dr. Anis Ahmad a renowned scholar. “The Concept of Masculinity in Islam” was the topic of his interactive lecture.

• Third FAD evening was organized on December 18th 2003. An interactive session was held with Ms. Kishwar Naheed, on her new book “Buri Aurat Kay Khatoot Nazaida Beti Kay Naam” Ms. Kishwar Naheed talked about her book which is in the form of letters and which she has written over a span of years to her unborn daughter. In this book she has covered nearly all gender issues like sexual harassment, violence, discriminatory laws, dowry, dowry violence etc. in a very informative yet moving manner. Ms. Tahira Abdullah- a well known activist, Ms. Khalida Hussain- a renowned Urdu fiction writer and Mr. Iftikhar Arif-a renowned writer also expressed their view points about the book and the issue of dowry violence. The event was attended by a number of prominent personalities and other belonging to different walks of life.

• SACHET Planner 2004 was launched with the slogan FIGHT AGAINST DOWRY FAD.

• On 30th January a seminar on “Dowry” was conducted in Jacobabad (Sindh) by Mr. Ghuram Ali Khoso (President Sofi Sachal Sarmast Welfare Association Tangwani) focal point, Jacobabad FAD Advocacy Network. People from different walks of life participated in the seminar. It was the first advocacy seminar on “Dowry” in the history of Jacobabad.

• Mubariza Network organized a one day Seminar at the Community Center Aabpara to commemorate National Women’s day (8th Feb). AGEHI Theatre Group presented a shadow theatre play “Hum Dehkain Gein” to highlight gender discrimination.

• In connection with the International Women’s Day AGEHI Resource Center produced Fight Against Dowry Advocacy Badges.

• On March 8th 2004 SACHET participated in a Mela organized by Mubariza Network in connection with International Women’s day. AGEHI Resource Center`s stall displayed/distributed research work and information related to Dowry.

• In connection with International Women’s Day PTV re telecast the Open Forum in which SACHET highlighted the issue of DOWRY on STN & PTV. This program was first aired in January 2002 in Khawateen time.

• Fight Against Dowry (FAD) the book got published.

• FADAN-1st National workshop was held in November.

• FAD khaddar bags were produced.

• Planner 2005 -500 copies were printed and distributed among development professionals, youth and CSOs.

• 4 provincial seminars in Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar and Quetta were organized to sensitize people from different walks of life. Around 15, 00 people were sensitized.

• Signature campaign continued and 2,000 signatures were obtained on Posters displayed in different popular cafes of Islamabad.

• VOA (Radio) did a live show on the issue. The participants were Dr.Rakhshinda Perveen, Mustanser Hussain Tarar(Pakistan) and a US Based scholar and young representative.

• A Turkish TV Channel recorded Dr.Rakhshinda Perveen`s interview n the issue of Dowry as a part of their series on gender issues in Muslim countries.

• Statistics from selected national News papers were collected and compiled by AGEHI Resource Centre.

• A shadow play by AGEHI Theatre Group, “apnay baitay kay naam jo mein paida nahin kar saki-aik chiiti” was shown on 12th Feb`05 at NIC Auditorium.

• Sale of FAD CDs continued

• Sales of FAD book continued

• FAD Planner was printed and distributed among development professionals, youth and CSOs.

• Awareness Material Development and dissemination 2 FAD posters(English and Urdu)

• Activation of FADAN yahoo group

• FAD Brochure was developed

• Sale of FAD CDs continue

• Sale of FAD book continue

• 22nd Feb'06-talk on dowry violence by Dr. Rakhshinda Parveen at HRCP-Islamabad

• Article by Dr.Rakhshinda Parveen in THE NEWS-YOU-28th Feb`06

• Power 99 broadcast a live interview of DR. Rakhshinda Parveen on Dowry issue on 13th March 2006 (6-7 pm)

• PTV 1 telecasted a live interview of DR. Rakhshinda Parveen on Dowry issue in Rising Pakistan transmission on April 25, 2006.

• Joining of new members in FADAN (Fight against dowry advocacy network) continued

• Launch of World Bank's report, "Country Gender Assessment" in which FAD project was acknowledged as an effective advocacy effort for gender empowerment.

• Walls activism messages regarding Dowry violence were pasted in at different spots of Chakwal district.

• Delegations from different remote areas of Pakistan visited SACHET and Joined FADAN.

• AGEHI theatre group-SACHET performed a theatre play on the issue of dowry violence at World Social Forum, Karachi on March 26, 2006.

• Second national FADAN workshop for change makers on July 10, 2006.