Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Extract: Civil Society Learning Material on Gender equity

Context: Public statement by RC Gilgit and feedback on HCF page: "After the incident of girls dance in a TV show at Gilgit, women are protesting by sharing their dance videos...I am loving it, Rok sako to.roko" Kosar Bano

The ethical values that are important to the AKDN agencies are:

5. Gender equity

Wherever an AKDN agency finds that local CSOs do not exhibit these ethical values, it is the agencies’ role to help them, just as much as making sure that their governance and management practices are in place. The following pages suggest how the AKDN agency could investigate these subjects, and decide on action.
In many societies women are marginalised, exploited, and given few chances to acquire education, experience or the chance to show their strengths. The CSO should demonstrate that it has a different opinion and is prepared to put such opinions into practice.
Gender refers to the social differences between women and men that are learned through socialisation, and which are not intrinsic characteristics of each sex. In nearly all societies women are discriminated against, and in some countries such discrimination is underpinned by tradition, custom, laws and religious observances.
An enormous amount is lost to a society when women do not have access to education, jobs, decision making and responsibility. Even more is lost if this is underpinned by domestic physical and sexual violence.
What can an AKDN agency do encourage gender equity?
1. The AKDN agency can make sure that staff and volunteer positions are accessible to women as much as men, and when traditions and culture block this, can work to break down such practices and be a model as a fair employer with regard to gender balance.
2. Look for ways in which the agency and the CSOs with which it associates can overcome some of the difficulties that women have in overcoming structural problems – such as making sure crĂȘches exist for nursing mothers, and that transport (or security) is provided for women to come and go on CSO business.
3. Think of ways in which the usual imbalance of power between men and women can be re-aligned – e.g. by making evening classes available to women, giving them access to literacy materials, or making sure that they have access to credit.
4. As mentioned before, ascertain what organisations already work on gender equity issues and see if they can be helpful to your organisation.
5. Look for agencies, organisations, firms and government departments that are practising what you consider to be good gender relations, and hold them up as a model.
6. Have clear rules and regulations against abuse of women in your organisation, and practice zero tolerance for infractions.
7. Have services in place to help women connected to your organisation who may suffer from domestic violence or other physical and sexual violence.
GENDER EQUALITY
AKDN is committed to highlighting the key role of women in the development process and to facilitating their participation.  At the same time, it looks for ways to engage with men around the attitudinal and structural changes that flow from programmes that benefit women. 

AKDN’s commitment to gender equality is driven by research and experience, which have shown that taking gender considerations into account in planning economic and social interventions greatly increases the probability of their success.
In most countries and communities, gender determines both domestic and productive roles. Women generally have responsibilities for both, but their ability to contribute to society is constrained by social, cultural and political traditions.  Compared to men, they tend to be less educated, more limited in their options and paid less.  Yet women manage households, raise children, pass knowledge to the next generation, tend livestock, grow and process crops and often run businesses to supplement family income.  Families and communities benefit exponentially when women reap greater rewards for their own efforts and labour. Once sustenance needs are covered, women quickly address the health and education needs of other generations.
Raising the competence and confidence of women – and, correspondingly, to open up the thinking of men – is a long-term commitment of the AKDN. In addition to supporting research and action aimed at making women's participation a reality, the AKDN supports women with village credit schemes, training in forestry, masonry, crop and livestock management, accounting and marketing.  It encourages education and careers for women.

RELATED: UCA CURRICULUM- 7.   Rhythm and Movement
The rhythm and Movement course will explore the great influence music has had on shaping human society and history. The main purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to dance and music as important disciplines within the humanities and to debate basic ideas related to the art's aesthetics. All the materials presented in this course are selected from different cultures and civilizations (Europe, America, Russia, some Muslim countries, and India, among others) that gave had direct or indirect links to the history and contemporary life of Central Asia. This course will allow the participants to freely question existing musical forms, groups, and ensembles and to challenge the ruling cultural, traditional and political attitudes concerning issues of professional or local musical performance, self expression, and the responsibilities of musicians to society.
Also read the concept of HCF.

Monday, December 17, 2018

MANDATE OF BALTIT HERITAGE TRUST


BHT:
You must have heard about the famous Baltit Fort of Hunza but how much do you really know about this architectural monument of historic importance and the purpose of restoration by the AKDN in 1996? 





AKTC became active in the north of Pakistan in 1989, in response to concerns that the unique culture of the area was under threat due to developments that followed the completion of the Karakoram Highway in 1978.  Increased accessibility to remote valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, which were part of the old Central Asian Silk Road but which had remained inaccessible to vehicular traffic, coupled with the impact of tourism, introduced a rapid transformation of local customs and economic patterns.  These changes called for a new strategies and procedures that were capable of steering ongoing rapid change.
The conservation of the Baltit Fort – the earliest elements of which date back more than 700 years – and the stabilisation of the historic core of the village of Karimabad - historically BALTIT - in the Hunza Valley, were the Trust’s first major interventions in Pakistan. The project was finished in 1996, but conservation efforts continued. The AKTC’s country affiliate, the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCSP), was formed in 1991.

Baltit Fort is now a museum

After the restoration of Baltit Fort in 1996, the fort was opened for public. It is now being managed by the Baltit Heritage Trust. An estimated 15,000 people visit the Baltit Fort every year which includes locals, domestic and foreign visitors.

It took 6 years to renovate the Baltit Fort

The fort was renovated by Aga Khan Cultural Services for Pakistan (AKCSP) and opened for public in September 1996. The restoration work of Baltit Fort took AKCSP about six years to complete with the support of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The fort was inaugurated after restoration by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and then president of Pakistan Mr. Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari.
The Fort remains open all year round and seven days a week, with the idea of being a self-sustaining cultural centre supported by the sale of entry tickets, souvenirs and generous donations of individuals and organizations entrusted to the promotion and preservation of cultural and historical heritage of this part of world.

 "I have summarized for you here a complex array of information, hoping that it may spur attention and interest, especially in discussing not only the “what” of cultural development but also the “how.” Whether it be in Asia, Africa or the Middle East, in high mountain or coastal areas, in urban or rural environments, in peaceful or post-conflict situations, the case is proven in my mind that cultural development can contribute, in unique and distinctive ways, to the human aspiration for a better quality of life. And that of course, precisely, should be the objective of the post 2015 development agenda.
SPEECH DELIVERED BY His Highness the Aga Khan, LOCATION Hangzhou, China (15 May 2013)
FEATURED SITE
Baltit heritage trust is the main institution in Hunza towards preservation and promotion of heritage of hunza. Now we have the son of soil heading this organization that gives us the hope that the trust will provide the needed impetus even to the diaspora. My advocacy: Hunza Heritage through BHT chair.
Prof Maj Gen Salman Ali HI(M)
  • Chaiman BHT
  • MBBS(KE), FCPS(PAK),FCPS(BD),FRCP(London)
  • PRINCIPAL AND PROFESSOR OF PAEDIATRICS
  • Fazaia Medical College Islamabad,
  • Senior Vice President The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan
  • Member National Bioethics Committee and
  • National Immunisation committee technical group Ministry of National health services and regulations Islamabad
  • Member expert Committee Pakistan Paediatric Association
  • Patron National neonatal division of Pakistan Paediatric Association 
  REORIENTATION - Ordained by the Imam since 2000 - Details on:
                (1)   Book - "Where Hope Takes Root" authored by MHI. 
                (2)    TALIM CURRICULUM -the relevant beliefs now available through the TALIM
                         curriculum rather than the POLLUTED forms of "DAS AVTAR" scripture compiled by
                         Pir Saddruddin or Wajh-e-Din/Zadul-Musafirin compiled by Pir Nasir-e-Khisraw.
                  (3)    CIVIL SOCIETY LEARNING PUBLICATIONS.
                  (4)    THE ISMAILI CONSTITUTION
                  (5)    WEBCAST -11th July 2017
a.     Starting step: On line availability of collections on heritage of Hunza in BHT library.
b.     Initiation of programs and projects 
How can anyone participate and contribute towards the MANDATE: Open the document on this link and update with your input, be it an audio clip, a video, a saying, historical event etc - anything that deals with culture/civilization of past, present or the thoughts for future.

Response to THE COMING “MEGA DISASTER” IN HUNZA - Karim Rehmat
What each one of us contributing towards a positive development is more important. An institutional challenge requiring collective effort. Remember we can pool the efforts through Baltit Heritage Trust - one of the primary institutions with the mandate, which should be trusted as an anchor for Hunza.

Monday, November 19, 2018

ASADULLAH BEG MASJID /RAZA BEG FARMAN KHANA BALTIT


With the introduction of Islam in Hunza, around second half of 16th century AD, it became a fashion/ status symbol with elite families in Hunza to build a MASJID adjacent to their houses accordingly Wazir Asad Ullah Beg built this MASJID close to his house in the vicinity of Baltit Fort home of the Mir of Hunza.

His son Mohammad Raza Beg was allotted lands in Haiderabad Hunza where the fort like house was built. After the 1891 invasion and subjugation of Hunza he went first to Calcutta as Head of Hunza delegation in March-April 1892 and then for a MULAQAT to Bombay with the Ismaili Imam Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III. During the MULAQAT, Imam asked him to render religious service as well subsequently he started receiving TALIQAS/ FARMANS so he built a FARMAN KHANA on top of his house in Hyderabad he however, shifted to Baltit around 1898 where he had built a new house - the one in which we his progeny are living now - and shifted the Asadullah Beg Masjid from its old location to the present location in1316-AH (1898-AD) and started using it as the new FARMAN KHANA in Baltit.

After renovation of Baltit Fort in 1996, AKCSP arranged repairs to this FARMAN KHANA. Ever since it has become the second most photographed structure by the huge number of tourists. His progeny is now responsible for the upkeep after the currency of modern Jamati Institutional system since 1969, when the safe custody of Farmans was transferred to the office complexes.

Twin Water Mill Baltit :


Wazir Asadullah Beg, was the architect and sponsor for BARBAR water channel. As part of a strategic necessity he felt that the Construction of a water-mill was essential for the residents of walled village of Baltit as in case of a prolonged adversary siege, it would not be possible to get the life-line grain ground through the water mills located in Harrchi. This structure had an important defensive function against attacks from the adversaries as it incorporated defensive and observation positions for the watchmen and fighters. This fort like building was built around 1850 from the wood retrieved from the house of Prince Yusaf Shah s/o Shah Sultan’s – the house was demolished as part of a punishment meted by Mir Ghazanfar to the prince for his role in the murder of Prince Abdullah Khan s/o Mir Saleem Khan. The mill has remained the family property of Asadullah Beg’s elder son Wazir Hamayun Beg.

It has been restored by AKCSP and has become a tourist attraction in this age.