Women are almost half of Pakistani population but they have never been allowed equal political, economic and social opportunities. Under devolution program in 2002 though state provided women the opportunity to participate in politics but the program did not deliver as most of the women are poor, illiterate and unaware about their political rights. Only upper class and some educated women were able to get benefit. The working class women are in dire need to know about their political rights and join the mainstream political discourse.

Background:
Repeated betrayals by the mainstream political parties and the in-built weakness of the political systems have made the political institutions in Pakistan fragile. As a result, a sense of alienation has crop up among the working classes of Pakistan and they have lost, to large extent, their confidence in the ideas of democracy and political process. As a result, marginalized sections, especially Pakistani women have become highly excluded section of society from mainstream political discourse.

The present Mushraff regime initiated women participation in political process through Devolution Plan in 2001. According to this program 33 per cent seats are reserved for women in assemblies as well as District and union councils. But unfortunately the purpose is not going to be delivered as only elite class women have been able to reach the assemblies. Low literacy rate, economic and social inequalities, lack of awareness, resources and training are some major hurdles in the way of working class women to enter into practical politics. To restore their confidence in democracy and to strengthen their active participation in political process, it is imperative to involve and mobilize the working class women of Pakistan for practical politics.

WWHL believes in democracy from the below. In the last 7 years WWHL has imparted political training to hundreds of working women. These women are now playing active role at their respective work places in form of being organized groups and struggles for their rights. They are now conscious voters, political activists and even emerging political leaders at local level. Many of them are eager to contest Local Government elections. It is pertinent to mention that in the last LG elections 2005, WWHL-supported 15 candidates secured 18646 votes. Nine of our elected councilors are playing active role in local politics and are highlighting women workers issues at union councils’ levels. Some of our unit leaders and members have shown interest to contest even forth coming general elections in 2007. WWHL feels it is right time to promote and consolidate meaningful women participation in practical politics, enhancing their involvement in decision-making at state level.

Current political program in collaboration with Food Workers Union and Olof Palme International Center, Sweden

WWHL feels that working class women lot cannot be changed unless they know about their rights, exercise political will and involve in the decision-making at all levels. In view of the situation a current political education project has been launched in 2007 in collaboration with Olof Palme International Center and Food Workers Union, Gothenburg-Sweden.

The project has following major objectives:
-- Better understanding of democracy among the workingwomen of Pakistan
-- Make workingwomen aware about their rights of participation in political process
-- Help promote creation of new layer of women political workers and leaders

Under this pilot project, women are going to be imparted political consciousness and trainings enabling them to play their meaningful role in practical politics.

Previous initiatives with Action Aid Pakistan & Westminster Foundation for Democracy
a) Action Aid Pakistan
Under its Women Political Education program, WWHL in collaboration with Action Aid Pakistan has conducted various coordinated political activities, including seminars, trainings, rallies, study circles and issue-based demonstrations. Under this program hundreds of women and women workers were mobilized to actively participate in these events. Main political leaders and activists delivered lectures, highlighting the importance of women participation in the political process. During the period 2000-2006, more than 1500 women were mobilized on political lines through six seminars, held in different cities including, Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad, Kasur and Toba Tek Singh.

b) Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), England
In year 2002, Women Workers Help Line, in collaboration with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), England launched a project of Political Mobilization of working class women. Around 300 women from working class areas belonging to different low-income professions were mobilized through seminars. Various members of civil society organizations, political parties and groups were among the participants. The workingwomen, political activists and elected representatives of local bodies and provincial assemblies also got opportunity to interact through these events. As a result of such activities general shyness and hesitation on the part of women to participate in political activities subsidized and they started thinking that active political arena is not only for men but women can also jump in.

c) WWHL participation in Local Government elections 2001 and 2005
Under the devolution plan by Musharaf regime the ‘Local Government (LG)’ elections were a good opportunity for the women entry in political process. WWHL women who were already mobilized on political grounds participated in 2001 LG elections and three of them got victory and were elected as councilors. In the LG elections 2005 WWHL decided to participate in maximum numbers and with full home work.  Potential candidates were identified from different units and trained about the electoral process and other campaigning techniques. Six study circles were organized to train and prepare activists and candidates for this purpose.

Keeping our resources and organizational capacity in view, it was decided to place candidates in Lahore only.  Thus a detailed strategy was evolved to jump into the electoral politics. WWHL fielded and supported 15 of its members on women councilor seats in different union councils of Lahore. In aggregate WWHL candidates secured 18646 votes turning out victory for nine women with a reasonable margin. Three of our candidates lost with a very close margin.

Objectives
The aim of proposed project is to present and promote the ideas of democracy among the workingwomen and enhancing their understanding about democracy across Pakistan. The project will have following major objectives:

-- Better understanding of democracy and political institutions of Pakistan.
-- Promote political interest; subsidize cultural shyness/hesitation to join political process.
-- Make workingwomen aware about their right to participation in political process
-- Help promote creation of new layer of women political workers/activists and leaders

Target group
Working women from formal and informal sectors, elected women councilors, potential women candidates from different cities of Pakistan.

Scope
This project will cover the main cities of all four provinces of Pakistan.

Activities and methodology
a) Study circles
Monthly study circles are being regularly arranged on different political issues to have a better idea about national and international political scenario like role of women in politics, negative impacts of globalization, privatization and neo-liberal agenda etc. The impact of major political issues on women has also been discussed in detail in these study circles. Participants of the study circles have been informed about the topic of the meeting one week before so that they can be able to read and comprehend provided relevant material before coming to the study circles.

b) Trainings workshops
Training workshops are being organized under the project. These two-day workshops are highly interactive and for selective and already identified vocal participants. Group works and presentation of participants is also the part of activity.

Women in general, elected councilors and potential candidates are included in training component. A group of 20-25 women from different sectors has been invited from different districts and get involved in each workshop. Renowned political activists, female leaders and scholars are invited as resource persons in training workshops.

c) Seminars
Issue-based seminars are being organized at provincial and national levels on different political topics. 100-150 women attend each seminar. Leaflets and other message promoting material will be distributed on these occasions.

Male and female speakers from political parties, women workers and leading women activists from different movements speak on the occasions. Already established and effective WWHL units in different cities are contributing their support in organizing the events and mobilizing the women in their respective areas.

d) Dialogues
Dialogues will be organized to discuss political current situation and the role of political parties. Male and female participants, especially intellectuals and political scholars will be invited to discuss and analyze the women vibrant role in politics. Main political figures will talk about the increased role of establishment in civilian institutions and reasons of rising religious extremism.

e) Conferences
Conferences will be organized at different levels including provincial and national levels for the strengthening of women role in politics. Main women political activists will participate and share their experiences and learning with new potential candidates. One South Asia women conference will be organized involving women activists from South Asian countries

f) Demonstrations/Rallies
During the project, issue-based demos under given circumstances will be staged and organized to highlight women political issues in electronic media.

g) Media Engagement
Media forums, media briefings, press conferences to be organized to attract and engage media to highlight women political issues

h) Networking with Social Movements
WWHL believes on strong linkages and networking with local and international social movements. Participation of Project staff and activists in World Social Forum would enhance their capacity and help to continue struggle for political agenda.