1.4 Programs Overview
- Youth Empowerment and Development (YED)
- Social Empowerment and Women Development (SEWD)
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage (PCH)
- Environmental Justice and Disaster Management
- Human and Institutional Development (HID)
- Peace and Conflict Transformation (PCT)
- Human Rights and Social Security (HRSS)
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Climate Education and Disaster Management
- Health Education and Awareness Program
Youth Empowerment and Development
Pakistan is a country with a large population of youth, so there is a need to address very serious development interventions ranging from mobilizing, training and equipping them with modern skills to combat the challenges. SDAR, being a youth-led organization, is working for mobilizing youth for social development. In this regard SDAR received a small grant from a philanthropist and bearer of the organization for a one-year Youth Empowerment project through imparting knowledge and skills to youth living in desert settlements of Umerkot. The project was implemented from January to December 2010, aiming to provide youth access to IT skills for self-growth and learning about social issues.
2.1.1 Youth Counseling and Information Center
SDAR is running a Youth Counseling and Information Center, a low-profile setting in Umerkot, since 2009 to date. The major functions are:
- Providing computer education and vocational skills
- Providing youth-friendly learning environment and space through library facilities, forums, cultural events, debate competitions
- Providing career counseling and career planning facilities
- Providing capacity building
This is playing a very effective role for youth empowerment in the area.
Women and Girls Empowerment
Women and girls are considered a marginalized group in Pakistani society. The silent majority of women do not have any role to play in the development process. Very few actions are taken at state level, specifically for women development. One of the major reasons for slight growth of the country in Human Development Index (HDI) is because the majority of the population comprises women, who are not being allowed to utilize their potential in economic activities. SDAR has addressed women development issues from time to time through provision of space for income opportunities, leadership training and skill development. Umerkot is a desert district where there is very low literacy of women and girls and their voice is unheard. Women and girls have low spaces for constructive work and to get proper attention from institutions in Sindh, Pakistan.
This program aims:
- Opportunities of income generation for the girls and women of rural, slum and desert settings
- Developing leadership capacities of women and girls in social and political spheres
- Awareness and education on social issues and problems
- Organizing women and girls into groups and building their leadership and participation
- Raising voice for gender justice and equitable resources
2.3.1 Girls Resource Center
Under this program, Girls Resource Center (GRC) was established to provide space to girls so they may acquire IT skills. Apart from this, confidence-building initiatives were taken through discussing and understanding various social issues to groom their confidence level. It is a unique idea that girls get trainings on various social issues, read books and avail library facility there. The GRC management is run by a four-member committee. The GRC is promoting girls and women activism in the area. The GRC gained publicity among the girls of other areas because of the secure and fear-free environment for learners with female teachers. SDAR has planned to replicate the model of GRC in other districts of Sindh.