6.         ROLE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT

Group Members
Resource Person:                     Nusrat Jahan, AKHSP
Facilitator:                                Bibi Sultana, AKRSP
Co Facilitator:                           Imtiaz Ahmad, AKRSP
Repertoire:                               Sajjad Hussain, AKRSP
Noor Shaba                             Community member
Sahib Jamal                              Community member
Bibi Rani                                  Community member
Yasmeen                                  Community member
Ajab Nigar                               Community member
Mohd Feroz Khan                    Community member
Mubarak Khisrow                    Community member
Hyder Wali                               Community member
Riaz-ud-Din                              Community member
Mehraj Bibi                              Community member
Shamin Akhtar                          Community member
Zahira                                       Community member

The facilitator welcomed the participants, and with brief introduction of the group members, she thanked AKRSP for providing such an opportunity to sit together and develop an holistic development plan for the area of Biyar

STRENGTHS 50 %of the population are women Islamic rights WOs/Women fora/LSOs Savings of WOs Skilled persons Educated Youth  33% reserved seats for women in local government system Government’s commitment to Women Development Honorary setup AKDN Institutions Literacy rate is comparatively High in the area Institutions working for women empowerment (PEWP)	WEAKNESSES Lack of Educational Institutions for girls Sons are given preference over daughters Ignorance/traditional thoughts Male dominancy Lack of participation/decision power among women Lack of employment opportunities for women Economic dependency Restricted mobility Lack of confidence Lack of market Large family size Poverty and no access to entitlement
OPPORTUNITIES Emergence of new education institutions/ECD Lawari Tunnel AKDN & other institutions Natural resources/medicinal plants Human Resource Private sectors 33 % reserved seats for women CCBs Donor interest	THREATS Donor driven Cultural Barriers Forced marriages/Lack of social security Gender inequality Jealousy over positions between male & female Women may further be marginalized in post Lawari scenario Increased work load

6.1 Suggested Actions

• For Educated Women

 

• Professional training
• Transformation of traditional role (Guest houses, business, Computer center, Ladies shop, ECD centers etc)
• Leadership building workshops
• Confidence building workshop
• Carrier counseling workshop
• Expansion of IRCs
• Political counseling
• Net works (Business, linkage development, experience sharing)
• Gender sensitization workshop
• Health Related Activities
• Sport Center
• Library
• Scholarship for higher education

• Uneducated Women

 

• Technical/vocational training
• Exposure
• Medicinal plants (Picking, packing, packing etc)
• Sport Complex
• Adult literacy programme
• Micro enterprises
• Arrangement of soft loan
• Awareness/sensitization about basic rights
• Health related activities

• For Children

 

• Well being workshop
• Parents awareness
• Early Childhood Development
• Carrier counseling/Coaching center
• Camping
• Entertainments
• Children park
• Day care center
• Debates competitions
• Transport facilities

                                                                    

7.         NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NRM)

Group members                                 
Resource Person:                                  Mr. Shamsyar Khan Member, BLSO
Facilitator:                                            Mr. Sajjad Ali, North South Seed                   
Repertoire:                                           Aftabuddin Shakir, AKRSP     
Abdur Rehman                         Community member
Mr. Yousuf Ali Shah                             Community member
Mr. Ali Nawaz                         Community member
Mr. Sharfuddin                         Community member
Mr. Faiz Azam                         Agriculture Officer
Mr. Gulam Qadir                                  Community member
Mr. Muhabbat Khan                             BLSO
Mrs. Firdous Jamal                               Community member
Ms. Habiba                                          Community member
Mr. Shah Wazir Khan                           BLSO
Mr. Syed Iqbal Hussain Shah                Community member
Mr. Mohammad Iqbal                          Field Assistant Booni
Mrs. Zar Wali                                       WO Lotdoor
                         

7.1 Agriculture

STRENGTHS Suitable climatic conditions Availability of local expertise Fertile land Water resources Organized community Agriculture department Famous local varieties (Shoghori, Chuposh) Dry fruits Farm service centre	WEAKNESSES Lack of awareness Lack of agricultural professional Unavailability of pesticides Lack of market information Lack of research institution Poor infrastructure Lack of nurseries Lack of trainings in fruit processing Lack of joint marketing Lack of cold storage Crop rotation Improper use of fertilizers Unavailability of seeds/inputs
OPPORTUNITIES Potential lands (Qaqlasht, Parwak lasht, Owir) Off season vegetable production Vegetable seeds production Opening of Lawari Tunnel Organic production link road with Gilgit and Central Asia Mushrooms production Dry fruits and fruit processing	THREATS Land fragmentation Soil erosion pest and diseases Poor fruit nurseries Natural calamities Lawari tunnel Sub standard inputs with high cost

 

7.1.1 Suggested Actions

• Awareness programmes
• Technical training
• Strengthening of agricultural research station Booni
• Land development (Qaqlasht, Parwak, Owir, Shuphishon)
• Joint marketing (marketing associations)
• Construction of cold storage
• Legislation for property dealing
• Appointment of plant protection staffs
• LSO based marketing information system
• Provision of agricultural inputs

 

7.2 Livestock and poultry                 

                       

STRENGTHS Livestock Open pastures Human resource Local forest	WEAKNESSES Poor breed Unavailability of veterinarian Lack of training Fodder shortage
OPPORTUNITIES Dairy products Patti making Poultry farming	THREATS Harsh and sever climatic conditions Diseases Land fragmentation

7.2.1 Suggested Actions

• Provision of improved breeds
• Commercialized livestock farm
• Capacity building programs
• Training in Patti making
• Artificial insemination centers
• Land development
• Fodder improvement
• Afforestation

 

7.3 Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

STRENGTHS Forest nurseries Local expertise Water resources Medicinal plants/herbs Wild animals and birds Fresh spring water Interest groups Trained honey bee farmers	WEAKNESSES Poor management Lack of ownership Lack of awareness Lack of training Less land holding
OPPORTUNITIES Aforestation Land development Development of high valued Trophy hunting Fish farming Bee keeping and marketing Eco-tourism	THREATS Deforestation Natural calamities Over grazing Illegal and over hunting Harsh climatic conditions (winter)

7.3.1 Suggested Actions

• Awareness raising campaign
• Land development
• Formation of business associations (honey bee, fishery)
• Aforestation
• Construction of hydel power stations
• Supply of gas from central Asian countries
• Capacity building programs (medicinal herbs, bee farming, fisheries)
• Fish farm development
• Community based wildlife management

 

8.         POST LAWARI TUNNEL SCENARIO

Group Members
Resource Person:                      Mr. Islam-ud-Din, Community Member
Facilitator:                                Mr. Yusuf Shehzad, District Information Officer
Repertoire:                               Mr. Zahidullah Khan, AKRSP
Mr. Ghulam Ali Shah                Community member
Mr. Sultani Room Khan            Councilor
Mr. Ikhlas-ud-Din                    Councilor
Mr. Mir Hassan Khan   Community member
 Mr. Hakim Sarwar                  Community member
Mr. Ali Rehmat                         Community member
Syed Mir Hussain Shah             Community member
Mr. Shahab-ud-Din                  Community member

Mr. Yusuf Shehzad welcomed the participants and started the discussion after the introduction of each participant. He asked the participants to participate fully during the discussion. Than resource person Mr. Islam-ud-Din briefly explained the methodology i.e. to prepare an action plan on the basis of SWOT analysis. They divided the Post Lawari Tunnel Scenario into Economic Scene, Political Scenario, Socio-cultural Scenario and Miscellaneous (i.e. Demography, Health, and Education). The resource person asked the participants to discuss and make SWOT analysis of each Scene separately. After a very long discussion and brainstorming the final out come was as follow:

8.1 Economic scene

 

STRENGTHS Access to market and Easy and inexpensive travel Global reach will improve Diversification of resources of income The law of demand and supply will work Modernization of economy Chitral will remain a gateway to Central Asian States, Northern Areas and China	WEAKNESSESS Local preparation is lacking Economy of the state is not there Extreme poverty might lead us to sell property Lack of quality consciousness
OPPORTUNITIES A paradigm shift opening whole range of opportunities	THREATS Takeover of local economy by non-locals Marginalization of people and traditional economy

 

8.1.1 Suggested Actions

• Awareness campaign
• Skills development
• Pooling of resources to develop local corporate sectors
• Marketing and storage skills
• Quality assurance
• Tourism development
• Local investments in private sectors
• Poverty alleviation or to regulate land sell out
• linkage and coordination

 

8.2 Political Scenario

STRENGTHS Mainstreaming of local politics Broader political awareness Institutional development Access to information	WEAKNESSESS Local issues on backburner Radicalization/ Terrorism Increase in litigation Lack of required leadership
OPPORTUNITIES Wider spectrum to operate Better access to information and replication Better chance for institutional development	THREATS Prejudices and ills of national politics Role of money in politics

8.2.1 Suggested Actions

• Awareness and training
• Merit based politics
• Institutional development
• Keeping local issues relevant

 

8.3 Socio-Cultural Scene

STRENGTHS Global context Cultural products to generate income Local inputs to global culture Better cross cultural understanding Improvement in social values to promote co-existence	WEAKNESSESS Vulnerability of local culture Individualism at the cost of social cohesion
OPPORTUNITIES Global market for local cultural products A chance to develop and correct social customs Revival and development of cultural products	THREATS Survival of the fittest Weaker and marginalized culture to disappear Language would be diluted Existing social fabrics would be challenged

 

8.3.1 Suggested Actions

• Awareness raising
• Preservation and development of culture
• Access to media
• Promotion of family values and Social cohesion
• Selective modernization

 

8.4 Miscellaneous (Demography, Health and Education)

STRENGTHS Assimilation for social benefits Enrich experiences and ideas Access to health and educational facilities/ market Development of educational facilities to attract outsiders	WEAKNESSESS Identity crises in case of non assimilation Civic amenities  to be under pressure Demographic imbalances/ violence Revolution of rising expectations and frustrations in case of non access to health and educational facilities
OPPORTUNITIES Professional/ Skill development Learning from each other Availability of specialize services in health and education Consultancy in population study	THREATS Lack of manpower and risk of outsider takeover of these sectors Lack of resources

 

8.4.1 Suggested Actions

• Marketable quality education/ health facilities
• Measure for assimilation between local and non locals
• Development of local investment and expertise
• Changing mind set to develop business culture

 

 

9.         ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT            

Group members                                 
Resource Person:          Saleem Shah RPM, SRSP                   
Facilitator:                    Fazli Rabi, AKRSP                             
Co facilitator:                Jahanzeb,  AKRSP
Repertoire:                   Dilshad Pari  AKRSP  
Mr. Sardar Ayub                      RPM AKRSP
Mr. Sherzad Ali hayder AKRSP
Mr. Zafar ullah             Community member
Mr. Kashafat Younas               Naib Nazim
Mr. Hafeez Muhammad            Community member
Mr. Ajaz Hussain                      SRSP
Mr. Muhammad Hanif  Community member
Mr. Syeed Noor ullah               Community member

Group discussion started with the introduction of the participant. The resource person introduced the theme. He said how drastically we are using the forest to meet our energy purpose—fuel requirement. On average 360 mound of wood is consumed per household in the area. Keeping in view the fact if we calculate annual fuel—wood, consumption for Biyar area it comes out to be Rs. 103,400,000, which, if utilized for other purposes, would enough to complete mega project.
Keeping in view the fact, the theme was splat into sub themes and each theme was analyzed using SWOT analysis technique.
Infrastructure includes communication, land development, water and sanitation. Communication comprises of roads and information technology.

9.1 Road

 

STRENGTHS BLSO area Connected to the main road Cost benefit ratio is high Feasible and sustainable nature of soil Availability of local materials	WEAKNESSES Improper planning and mismanagement Steep topography Construction of inappropriate structure Lack of maintenance Deficiency of non local materials Non availability of link roads among the villages
OPPORTUNITIES Access to northern areas and Central Asian countries Existence and interventions of relevant institutions (AKRSP, SRSP, CIP, GOs) Organized community Local Govt. Tourism friendly environment Availability of Asphalt plant	THREATS Natural calamities Major seismic zone Price escalation Cultural problems

 

9.1.1 Suggested Actions

• Proper planning
• Coordination between different organizations
• Utilization of asphalt plant
• Sustainability of the infrastructure should be ensured

 

9.2 Information technology   

                                   

STRENGTHS Latest technology of PTCL Availability of internet facility and PTV Willing local community Interested consumer Growing market	WEAKNESSES Less coverage Underdeveloped private sector Lack of infrastructure Absence of local internet server Irregular supply of electricity
OPPORTUNITIES Intervention of Mobilink and Telenor Acceptance and adaptability by the community Opening of Lowari tunnel Local manpower	THREATS Natural calamities Geography and topography Negative impact of Information Technology—misuse by youth Religious intolerance Effect on social gathering

9.2.1 Suggested Actions

• Need to develop private sector
• Local internet server should be installed
• Regular supply of electricity should be ensured
• Youth should be educated about the proper use of internet facility

 

9.3 Land Development

STRENGTHS Huge water resources Availability of barren land Experienced and organized local Community Availability of local materials Double cropping zone	WEAKNESSES Social conflict and disputed land Lack of modern agricultural techniques Lack of financial resources Miss management Domination of influential people/traditional authorities
OPPORTUNITIES Willing community Barren land Existence of GOs and NGOs Organized and agricultural behavior of community Increasing land value	THREATS Population growth Land settlement Natural calamities Political interference Drought

9.3.1 Suggested Actions

• Introduction of modern agricultural techniques
• Control on population growth
• Social issues should be resolved at grass root level by mutual understanding
• Land settlement should enforced

 

9.4 Water and Sanitation

STRENGTHS Availability of potable water resources Participation of the community Existence of relevant organizations Functional V/WOs, CCBs and CSOs Local Govt.	WEAKNESSES Improper implementation Lack of unity Misuse of water Lack of Sanitary system Low standard of maintenance
OPPORTUNITIES Willingness and awareness among the communities Relevant institutions and departments CCB formation and their role Educated society Availability of potable water resources	THREATS Increase in population Natural calamities Social conflicts Ownership of water resources by particular individuals

9.4.1 Suggested Actions

• Proper operation and implementation of schemes
• Sanitary system should be properly introduced
• Health and hygiene campaigns and workshops should be conducted
• Social conflicts should be resolved

 

9.5 Energy

STRENGTHS Availability of water resources Availability of sunlight Feasible and potential sites Existence of SHYDO Trained technical staff for hydel power projects Engineering company—EPC foundation	WEAKNESSES Non availability of hydel equipments in local market Climatic conditions Lack of local expertise and experienced people Lack of private sector initiatives
OPPORTUNITIES Emerging trend of local power companies at cluster lever—Brep power company Experienced community Govt. interest Engineering company—EPC foundation Potential market	THREATS Sustainability of EPC foundation and power companies Natural calamities Political interference Water rights

9.5.1 Suggested Actions

• Power companies should be strengthened
• Private sector intervention should be ensured
• Potential market should be developed
• Standardized material should be used
• Availability of hydel equipments should be ensured in local market