Policy Research & Advocacy Program (PRAP)

focuses upon Conducting policy research, presenting analysis and formulating alternatives for policy reforms, Initiate public debates and dialogues on political, social and economic issues affecting masses, Support advocacy campaigns and programs in the areas of peace, social justice, and livelihood rights, Raise public awareness about the state laws inducing disharmony and discrimination in society, Promote interfaith harmony, peace & democratic social values in society and train social activists at grass roots level in these themes.

AwazCDS does the entire advocacy through its strong Network “People’s Awareness & Rights Committees (PARCs) in 52 tehsils of 15 districts of southern Punjab in particular and in all over Pakistan in general.

PARCs (People’ s Awareness and Rights Committee) is a Tehsil level (sub district) network of CBOs, NGOs, other civil society organizations, such as bar associations, trade unions, and individuals human rights activists, men and women. AwazCDS facilitated the establishment of PARCs in a participatory and inclusive manner. It was initiated with the identification of all such organizations and individuals who are working for protection of human rights and the development of the area.

PARC consists of 25 to 30 people, both men and women. These persons are selected at Tehsil level after meetings with various civil society groups such as lawyers, individual opinion makers, community activists and CBOs/NGOs., teachers unions, students unions, journalists, traders, political parties local leaders etc. The idea is shared with these groups and individuals and the ones who feel interested become members of the PARC. The members start meeting formally and distribute responsibilities among themselves. AwazCDS support them in building their capacity on all the required themes.

Each PARC is an independent body with their own formal, democratic and participatory governance structure. They have well defined bylaws. These characteristics add to the sustainability of these 53 PARCs working in 53 Tehsils of South Punjab. But, as AwazCDS has learnt from its past experience and according to external evaluation, these bodies need to be institutionalized and their capacity should be enhanced further for their independent successful voice and lobbying.

The main objectives of PARCs are;

• Promoting democratic culture and values at local level strengthening peoples’ forums

• Identifying community level human rights and social developmental issues and to provide a platform to work on these issues

• Creating harmony and building confidence among Community Development Organizations (CDOs) and Village Development Organizations (VDCs) and other local movements

• Sharing experiences and exposure for common objectives and interests among CSOs, VDCs and local movements