Beauticians/Salon Owners as Changemakers
‘Apney Saath Apna Mustaqbil Bhi Sawarein’ is a campaign launched by Dastak in 2022 targeting beauticians/salon owners working at or running small scale beauty salons in communities of Lahore and Multan. The campaign aims to raise awareness about women rights related to marriage and organisations where they can seek more information and restoration of those rights. Beauty salons are frequented by women and girls and serve as safe community spaces where those who come to avail services often discuss/share their personal stories and domestic concerns. Dastak saw this as an opportunity to improve knowledge on marriage rights and outreach of its services by providing basic training and information material to beauticians/salon owners and to enable them to guide their female clients as well as their employees to resources and knowledge concerning matters related to marriage and domestic violence.
Over 40 salons have so far joined this campaign and we hope to spread the campaign to other communities and cities in the future.
If you are a salon owner or work at one and wish to be a part of this campaign, please call or email us.
تشدد سے تحفظ تک
Tashadad se Tahafaz Tak campaign was launched by Dastak Charitable Trust to increase outreach of information on gender based violence protection services and resources. It calls on all citizens and responders to work together to provide holistic and seamless support to those in need.
Nasim Digital Art Therapy Program
The Nasim Digital Art Therapy Program (NDATP) is a collaborative project between Dastak and Sarah Samson, a student of human rights based in the US. It was founded to help women survivors of gender-based violence heal and be transformed through the therapeutic practice of photography. Phototherapy includes not only taking photos but posing for photos, viewing photos, planning photos as well as imagining and remembering photos. It also includes reflection and discussion for deeper healing.
Every woman has her own story but not all have the opportunity to share that story. Therefore, the mission of the Nasim Digital Art Therapy Program is to elevate women through photography. Monthly-themed workshops give survivors of gender-based violence a chance to give voice to their story, showcase what the world looks like from their lens and heal from the impacts of the violence.
Campaign ‘Protection with Dignity’
Dastak launched a campaign “Protection with Dignity” in 2010 as part of its activities to eliminate violence against women. The main objectives of this campaign include the universal adoption of practices that respect women’s right to dignity and the elimination of practices that taint the existing protection system. To promote the campaign, Dastak has been carrying out a series of programs to enhance public awareness and sensitivity to the issue of protection and support for women who have to seek shelter because of violence or threat of violence.
The campaign is now joined by leading women’s rights and human rights groups in the country. The activities planned in connection with this campaign are public seminars in different cities to build public awareness and opinion on the issues. Public events carried out so far have significantly affected public perceptions of women’s protection and have successfully spotlighted the role of shelters in this context. Dastak has conducted public seminars in all four provinces independently and collaboration with universities and local NGOs.
Capacity Building Programs
Dastak has been running a comprehensive capacity building program since 2009 to build trained human resource in the area of women and child protection. On average Dastak trains 200-300 individual every year. The trainee profile mainly comprises of staff of government and private shelter homes for women, lawyers, women rights activists, NGO and community workers, and local government officials.
For information about our upcoming trainings please see our events section or email us.
Community Awareness and Sensitization Program
Dastak started this program in 2010 with the aim to transform the external environment by gradually eliminating social attitudes, cultural practices, and religious mindsets that give impetus to violence against women and harden community resistance to change. It also expands awareness on existing protection mechanisms which can be used to escape and overcome abusive or discriminatory situations.
Expert community speakers hold regular session with different communities which are carefully selected after a comprehensive pre-evaluation and appraisal process. Topics are women’s rights in the context of the family and the community, and the role of the community with regard to social justice within the family. The aim, in addition to sensitization and education, is also to explore possibilities for the rehabilitation of women who seek protection from violence at shelter homes (who cannot return to their own families) in those communities.
If you belong to or work in any community where you feel such awareness sessions should be conducted, please let us know.
