Editorial

Hello everyone!

As the year treads along we have finally moved from the planning phase to initial ground work phase in our new ventures and towards fortifying and enhancing strategies in our existing projects . Thus, this month was a flurry of activity with an extensive baseline workshop for our United for Body Rights programme which was a highly consultative and comprehensive activity, productive policy dialogue with the local education and health departments, NADPF provincial consultation and much more.

Alongside the routine work and rigorous activities, we had a very special event this month; the official launch of our new entity: Rutgers WPF! The merger ceremony was a successful event; well-attended, well-appreciated and with high levels of energy, emotions and hope all concocted in one evening with many of our friends and associates.

To get the details of it all, do read on ahead!

A Happy Spring Season to you all!

RutgersWPF Pakistan News

World Population Foundation & Rutgers Nisso Groep form Rugters WPF! The Official Launch

Here at Pakistan, the merger of World Population Foundation and Rutgers Nisso Groep that was formalized at the conclusion of year 2010, was celebrated in a festive and unique style this 24th March 2011 at Hotel Serena, Islamabad.

The event was much appreciated by all our participants and was very well-attended; as it was a tad but different from ordinary events that showcase presentations and designated speeches by people. The ceremony started with a’ meet & greet’ session, which was a very good opportunity for all our stakeholders to mingle, network and share work experiences in the field of SRHR. This was followed by an interactive energizer that involved the participants while letting them know about the work we do at our organization, the values we stand for and the issues closest to our heart. This energizer session was moderated by our Programme Managers: Cyma Ashraf & Ayesha Ali, who kept the audience engaged, enthralled and inquisitive throughout the activity. Thus, the activity engaged the audience completely as they enthusiastically took part in answering questions related to SRHR that were prepared by our moderators, and seeking help from Rutgers WPF friends when faltering. Each participant was also awarded a small goody bag for their participation and applauded for their contribution.

This highly interesting session was followed a few words about our work by the Country Representative, Qadeer Baig who concluded with a flash presentation of a collection of photographs that represents our time in Pakistan. This was a nostalgic, trip-down-memory-lane for all who have been associated with Rutgers WPF and stirred some amazing recollections from everyone. A short speech was also delivered by Ruth Van Zorge; on why the merger happened and what novelty it will bring into the new-found association. The honorary chief guest Minister for Social Welfare, Sindh Mrs Nargis N. D. Khan then expressed a congratulatory note and luck for all of our future work as well as relaying the appreciation and commitment by the present government with all our ventures, followed by a prize distribution to some of the Rutgers WPF employees for their length of service, to the Country Representative for his hard work and dedication and to Manager International Programme, Henk Rolink for his overall contribution to our work. The employees who secured the awards for their time and dedication at WPF are: Programme Manager Kashif Muneer, Programme Manager Cyma Ashraf and Chef Shaukat Hussain.

The event was concluded with a cake cutting ceremony by the Minister, who was presented with a souvenir and bouquet for her participation, followed by a grand hi-tea.

UFBR Baseline Workshop

A Programme Development Teams meeting was called to discuss and develop log frame and work plan for the United for Body Rights program. After incorporation of the PDT input a Baseline Study workshop was organized for the UFBR programme. A technical team from Rutgers WPF, NL visited Pakistan field office to conduct and facilitate the workshop; which included Ruth Van Zorge and Henk Rolink . Rutgers WPF Managers and programme team, Staff from the Implementing Partners, and YAN attended the five-day workshop during which the baseline indicators, methodology, and tools were reviewed and contextualized as per country needs.

This baseline workshop was consultative and comprehensive; all our implementing partners, consultant, programme managers and anyone who is integral to taking the project forth. Thus, an intensive project plan was developed with all the intricacies and details chalked out with unanimity as all expert suggestions were incorporated.

Ms. Sarah Asad was contracted as an external consultant for carrying out the baseline study. PME department will be coordinating the baseline during April with the consultant and IP teams.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Education

Empowering Girls – Transforming Communities

Policy Dialogue with Local Education & Health Departments-Gujranwala

A policy dialogue was held with district officials in Gujranwala District on the 18th March 2011, regarding the project, Empowering Girls- Transforming Communities. The participants of the meeting were Rutgers WPF, Bargad, DCO-Gujranwala, EDO-Education, EDO-Health, Education Committee Chairperson, Master Trainer, Teacher, Adolescent Girl and a parent. The discussion revolved around a few reservations on the content of the curriculum; especially on the sessions on HIV/AIDS and Family Planning. The DCO formed a committee which will review all the contents of the Life Skills Education curriculum and share their feedback with Bargad and Rutgers WPF. Rutgers WPF and project implementing partner in Gujranwala, Bargad shared their perspective on the curriculum and its content in the broader objectives of the Project. The feedback from the committee members was taken seriously and will be taken into regard during the reprinting of the curriculum for the second cycle.

This was an effective meeting as all stakeholders were part of the policy dialogue consultation which gave a holistic feedback regarding the curriculum while giving the opportunity to advocate the chapters that might be raising any apprehensions with the teachers or parents. Hence, it was not just a good opportunity for presenting the life skills curriculum content as well as getting feedback from the concerned parties as well.

Project Review Meeting with Teachers

On 18th March 2011, Rutgers WPF reviewed the progress of the project with trained teachers of the project at Bargad Office in Gujranwala. 13 teachers participated in the meeting. The meeting gave an insight on the progress of the project activities in schools. The teachers unanimously appreciated the initiative and expressed positive experiences with respect to the project impact. The meeting also shed light on the capacity building of teachers and the quality of trainings. Their general feedback on the curriculum and the training was also noted down, so as to incorporate it accordingly. They were assured that a formal curriculum review process will be carried out in the month of May before the second cycle.

Institutional Strengthening

Training for Data Collectors

A two-day training was conducted in Jacobabad and Muzafargarh for the research study “Domestic Violence against Women: Prevalence and Men’s Perception in PGRN Districts” from the 14th of March 2011 to 18th March 2011 by the Programme Manager & Programme Officer Institutional Strengthening; Kanwal Qayyum and Sabeena Gul . A total of 32 participants took the training in Jacobabad (24 Male, 8 Female) and 18 in Muzafargarh (14 female, 4 male). The trainings were conducted with the objective to develop understanding of the participants with regard to research study on Domestic Violence, Men’s involvement, methodology, sampling, and role and responsibility while sensitizing them on gender & violence issues as well as ethical consideration for the study. In addition, the training also developed understanding of the participants on the research tools (questionnaire & FGD) to carry out the research study. The training itself was very rigorous and participatory that centered on a crash course in sensitization and good research methods. He first day was focusing on familiarizing the participants with gender and sex, breaking stereotypes, discussing, defining & detecting domestic violence, and finally the objective as well as methodology of the research study.

The participants were properly trained in research methods then by the PM IS Kanwal, where all intricacies about ethics, consensual forms and objective data collecting were relayed to the participants.

The second day of the training focused around the data collection techniques, probing questions, reaffirming answers and how to ask the questions in the questionnaire. In addition, it also centered on the focus group discussion and the guidance for their execution. The programme manager gave a thorough account of how to take notes, detect prominent themes and keep the discussion directed and focused.

The next phase includes taking interviews of approximately 4800 women in the six PGRN districts, one FGD to be conducted in each location and a meticulous * methodical monitoring of the data collection by the IS team.

Policy Advocacy

Consultation with Adolescents on NADPF

RutgersWPF, Pakistan and Plan Pakistan had launched an initiative for the formulation of the ‘National Adolescent Development Policy Framework’ in the year 2009, to address the issues of adolescents in national policies and programmes while consulting a wide range of stakeholders and ensuring meaningful participation of adolescents throughout the process. The framework provides a review of policies and ensures that all aspects of adolescent development including health, education and livelihood are addressed in the National Policies/Programmes. The aim of the policy framework is to identify the broad areas and the issues within these that directly affect the adolescents.

Under this initiative the first “Provincial Consultation on NADPF with Civil Society & with Adolescents” was held in Karachi on the 15th-16th March 2011.

The first consultation was with adolescents, so as to have an all inclusive platform for discussion where the all adolescent age brackets were represented; early, high energy and late adolescent (varying from ages 9-17) including religious minorities and adolescents living with disability.

The participants of the meeting were representative from HANDS, Rutgers WPF, Adolescent girls and boys and teachers from different schools of Karachi. The methodology of the focus group was based on participatory approach where the staff members from Rutgers WPF and Plan Pakistan played the role of moderators. The discussion was directed in a very friendly and candid environment so that adolescents take interest and share their response without hesitation. The adolescent participating in FGDs were not familiar with the subject under discussion and thus various exercises both on individual basis and group basis were carried out to extract their opinion and concerns. Thematic drawings helped in assessing the common fears and apprehensions prevailing in adolescents furthermore group discussions, situational questions and lesson oriented exercises were used as means to conduct the conversation.

The findings if the FGDs showed categorically that many adolescent girls and boys indicated to the problem of security and protection; especially in the context of Karachi where poor security situation is a major danger to everyone’s life. There was a deep fear in girls pointed of being kidnapped if go out of home. This was materializing from the restrictions on girls as they weren’t allowed to play outside for fear of societal pressure which fairly restricted their recreational activities. In addition these adolescents were not aware of their rights in the slightest, which was incremented by their lack of economic, educational and career opportunities and access.

Thus, the consultation with the adolescents through the focus group discussions was very revealing and insightful. They shed light on what problems and fears are predominant amongst the young people and what problems they mostly have to deal with.

Provincial Consultation on NADPF with Civil Society in Karachi

The second day centered around consultation with CSO’s working on Adolescent issues with respect to NADPF. It was organized by Rutgers WPF & Plan, Pakistan in partnership with Hands. It was a highly insightful session as many good suggestions and energetic initiatives were called out from all participants.

A thorough Q & A session also took place where it was revealed that the security situation of country occupies the most significant factors affecting the Adolescents age group as many times the security situation emerged as a phenomenon of the problems. One of the participants recommended initiating a dialogue with the media as they have an important role to play for the positive image of the society. This was seconded by everyone as a good idea and a concrete follow-up on this was noted.

The detailed objective and purpose of the Provincial Working Group and the way it will work was also relayed by Ms Samita Williams from Plan Pakistan followed by finalization of ToRs for all the working groups. The subsequent session was facilitated by Rutgers WPF Country Representative, Qadeer Baig who gelled everything together by rightly emphasizing the role of the CSOs in this initiative; duly convincing Mr Amir Moin, Member Provincial Assembly about the idea of meeting with the Chief Minister of each province and also meeting the leadership of multiple Political Parties and assured his full support to take forward the NADPF with his Political Party Leadership.

Mr. Zafar Dehraj, General Manager Social Mobilization, Advocacy & Disaster Management, HANDS in his closing remarks thanked all the participants for their valuable feedback towards the NADPF. He also assured the support of HANDS to take forward the process at the Provincial level.

Partnerships & Sustainability

Rights-driven Institutionalization of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Pakistan-Hamara Kal

Planning of Mid Term Evaluation

At the initiation of ‘Hamara Kal’ project in Pakistan, it had been decided that a mid-term evaluation will be carried out to gauge the effectiveness, success, impact and challenges faced through the project implementation. The objective of such an extensive evaluation mid-project course is for possible corrections, guidance and direction. This mid-term evaluation will cover all aspects of project implementation including institutional, administrative, organizational and technical aspects – aspects which may have an impact on the performance of the project and on its continuing viability. It will effectively be carried out in all three project districts; Karachi, Matiari and Multan by the next quarter.

Review MER framework

For any effectual project implementation it is integral that consistent monitoring and evaluation is carried out. Subsequently, to improve the existing framework of M&E for effective reporting on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights violation cases those are occurring in the targeted districts of ‘Hamara Kal’ project. Rutgers WPF will be managing an effective web-based SRHR Monitoring and Reporting system. The partner organizations will be monitoring the SRHR violations in their respective districts and will document the cases for providing immediate assistance, raising public awareness on SRH rights and advocating for SRHR with policy makers. The established online Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER) will generate reports on SRHR violations annually. For this purpose Rutgers WPF is planning to reorient the Implementing Partners accordingly in order to improve to the web-based version of MER through a training workshop that will take place this quarter.

Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation

While organizing and planning the baseline workshop and developing a comprehensive yet realistic MFS II work plan the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation team has also been busy compiling the Rutgers WPF 2010 Annual Report. This gives a detailed and through account of all the achievements, gaps, best practices, lessons and challenges that were faced by the organization at different levels. Thus, it is a very useful document for any other organizations working in the field of SRHR and also serves as a self-assessment tool for us. To read through it please click here.

International Exposure

The Country Representative Rutgers WPF, Qadeer Baig and Programme Manager Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation attended 3-day training in Dubai on ‘practical guidance to scaling-up’ from the 3rd-5th March 2011. The training was organized by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for its grantee organizations. The workshop focused on the guide to use the scaling up toolkit developed by the Management Systems Internationals (MSI). The Facilitator - Ms. Rajani Ved from MSI India - introduced the Scaling Up framework developed by MSI and helped participants to assess the projects by using ‘Scalability Assessment Checklist’. Other participants were from PF grantee organizations including Punjab Rural Support Program (PRSP), Pathfinder Pakistan, Marie Stopes Society, Aahung, HANDS, Indus Resource Center, and Health Services Academy. Specific objectives of the training were to:

• Orient participants to the MSI scaling up framework
• Build skills in selected tools of scaling up through practical application of the scaling up check list to case studies.
• Overview for scaling up toolkit
• Discuss the nature of evidence and evaluation methods applicable to scaling up
• Review issues related to scaling up at the design stage

As of 1 January 2011, Rutgers Nisso Groep and World Population Foundation (WPF) have merged under the new name Rutgers WPF. By joining forces we can continue to dedicate ourselves to people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, both in the Netherlands and abroad. For every human being, regardless of gender, (cultural) background or sexual orientation.

For more details visit www.rutgerswpfpak.org