OUR IMPACT – The Jugnu Project

We conduct trainings, workshops and community activities to spread awareness about domestic violence and build allies within the society for survivors. Click to read the testimonials submitted by Survivors who we have helped and Advocates who we have trained: Testimonials

|19.12.2024

Training on Domestic Violence at Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA).

Our founder Zohra Ahmed was invited to conduct a training session for the SSPA, alongside Advocate Khushbaqt Jillani. The training focused on the types of gender-based violence and domestic abuse usually witnessed while working with survivors on the ground. The training was an interactive session aimed at enhancing the skills and building on the experiences of the coordinators working onground for SSPA’s Mamta Program.

|10.12.2024

Keynote Speaker for the Closing Ceremony of 16 Days Actionable Campaign .

Our founder Zohra Ahmed was invited to speak as the Keynote Speaker at the Closing Ceremony of the 16 Days Actionable Campaign, hosted by the American International Education Federation. The event hosted individuals and organizations working in the gender based violence from 70 countries around the globe.

|23.11.2024

MOU Signed With Unfiltered With Maleeka (UFM) for Outreach Partnership during #16DaysofActivism.

The Jugnu Project signed an MOU for Outreach Partnership with “Unfiltered With Maleeka” (UFM), where the two will collaborate to create digital content focused on empowering women and advocating for the rights of women and girls in both Pakistan and the UK.

|21.11.2024

Visit to Bachon Ki Duniya with Umeed Initiative.

Our founder, Zohra Ahmed, had the pleasure of visiting Bachon Ki Duniya (BKD) alongside Clinical Psychologist Rehma Sheikh, in collaboration with the Umeed Initiative. Located in Qayoomabad, this small place (also known as “Kids Lounge”) acts jointly as a Community Centre and play area for the children of the neighborhood. It is the only (public) safe space for the women in the locality.

Most of the women who attended the workshop were married off as children, and as a result faced a lot of abuse at the hands of their husband(s) and in-laws – with a gaggle of children to care for alongside. Many of them were the sole earners of their family, which causes them to stress about the future of their children.

About Bachon Ki Duniya: It is a personal initiative taken up by Ms. Sarah Harris, and is entirely self-funded by this brave woman determined to give the children of the area a glimpse of childhood. As most of the adults worked as domestic workers / help, Sarah hated seeing the little children playing on the streets the whole day, exposed to numerous dangers, while their parents were out working during the day. She decided to open up this Community Centre (Bachon Ki Duniya) right in the middle of the locality so that she could encourage the children to come and play, and stay off the streets. Sarah uses the Bachon Ki Duniya community center as a way to encourage them to read and play in a safe environment, and help them unlearn some of the trauma that comes from being exposed to such a harsh life.

|14.11.2024

Addressing Capacity-building Techniques in Trans Advocacy.

Our founder, Zohra Ahmed, had a meeting with the team of Showing Her Empowerment (SHE), which is dedicated group of youngsters working to build the capacity(s) of trans persons within their community, in order to help them become financially independent and lead lives of dignity. During the meeting, they spoke at length regarding the violent discrimination faced by most trans people, despite the launch of the PM’S Transgender Education Fund. It was evident from the discussion how severe the discrimination faced by the community was, especially with regards to access of justice.

|12.11.2024

Workshop at LUMS – Syeda Waheed Gender Institute (SWGI) on “Creating Safe Spaces for Survivors of Domestic Violence”.

Our founder, Zohra Ahmed, was honored to be invited to the LUMS’ Syeda Waheed Gender Institute to conduct a workshop on “Creating Safe Spaces for Survivors of Domestic Violence”. The session focused on recognizing the different types of domestic violence and abuse, and fostering safe spaces (without judgment) for survivors to find the support they need. It encouraged the attendees (and anyone who may come into contact with survivors) to reflect on their own biases. The workshop also taught them practical ways in which to support survivors, from documenting evidence to planning safe spaces.

The session ended with an emphasis on taking care of one’s own mental health and understanding that compassion fatigue can happen to the best of us – always fill your own cup first (if possible), before stepping up to help others in order to prevent burnout.

|07.09.2024

Workshop at Routine Cafe: Healing from Childhood Trauma

We were glad to participate in a panel discussion on “Healing from Childhood Trauma” alongside clinical psychologist Maliha Saya, held at Routine Cafe. The session was organized by Umeed.

|01.07.2024 – 01.08.2024

(Remote) Internship at The Jugnu Project

Our first internship cohort was a great success. The aim of the internship was to (1) fast track research work within TJP, majorly aimed at finding case laws regarding marriage, domestic violence, gender-based violence and other rights that affect the family(s). Additionally, it was also (2) to introduce a select group of people to our training sessions regarding domestic and family violence as a “test” group, so we could see whether we can, in fact, roll out our idea of online workshops and trainings. We got students from various background, but mostly our cohort consisted of students from law, international relations and MPhil programs from across Pakistan.

We chose a total of ten (10) students for our first cohort and divided them into two groups – one for legal research, headed by our founded Zohra Ahmed and the other for editorial writing, headed by our Editorial Head, Huda Mahmood. The internship ended in the first week of August and was a great experience overall.

|13.06.2024

Webinar on Addressing School-Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) in Pakistan

Our founder, Ms. Zohra Ahmed, participated in a webinar on SRGBV, hosted by the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education – PAGE. Other panelists in the webinar included gender specialists from RSPN, IR and VSO. The discussion centered around (1) the types of GBV found in schools, (2) the challenges faced by both governmental and civil society organizations in addressing said challenges, (3) the tools that can be used to mitigate said violence and, (4) monitoring and response mechanisms that can be made use of in the local context. The discussion was insightful, and it was understood that there is a dire need to join forces with multi-sector agents if the issue of SRGBV is to be properly addressed.

|04.06.2024

Focus Group on Challenges faced by NGOs and Social Enterprises in Pakistan

Our founder, Ms. Zohra Ahmed, participated in a panel discussion focused at understanding the challenges faced by the NGOs working on-ground in Pakistan, with their work focused on CSA and GBV. The event was graced by the team at Sahil NGO, led by their Executive Director, Dr. Manizeh Bano.

The discussion centered around the need for a collaborative platform between NGOs to streamline different resources and networks that NGOs and social enterprises have, in order to better respond to survivors in general.

|25.05.2024

Dialogue and Discussion on Domestic Violence

Our founder, Ms. Zohra Ahmed, moderated, alongside Ms. Anmol Irfan, founder of Umeed, a dialogue on (1) myths regarding domestic violence and abuse, and (2) the steps we can take as individuals to create support systems for survivors.

Ms. Azra Maqsood, Sector Development Professional, also graced the occasion.

The event took place at Routine Cafe.

|25.04.2024 – 27.04.2024

Exhibition at Al-Hamra Art Centre, Lahore.

Our founder, Ms. Zohra Ahmed, was featured at the 100 Years of Women In Law Exhibition, for her work with survivors of domestic violence across Pakistan. The exhibition took place at Al-Hamra Centre in Lahore. The event featured women layers from 1923 ’til 2024. It was organized by Advocate Nida Usman Chaudhry, founder of the Women-in-Law (WIL) Initiative (Pakistan).

|02.04.2024

Meeting with the Team of Sahil NGO and Agreement for Collaboration on Resources

The Sahil NGO graciously agreed to meet with The Jugnu Project to discuss possible areas of collaboration between the two organizations regarding spreading awareness about (minor) victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Given Sahil’s extensive experience in the field of CSA, we are grateful that the organization has agreed to collaborate with us to build resources aimed at both child-victims of abuse and their parents.

|22.03.2024

Meeting with the Team of Iyzil Women’s Safety App

The Jugnu Project met with the team of Iyzil Women’s Safety App to understand the key features of their application. They showcased their Mobile App in detail, along with its various features such as the 24/7 Alarm Monitoring System and the inbuilt Emergency Services Contact System, that can automatically connect a person to the requisite emergency services during times of need. Additionally, they also spoke of the high number of domestic violence cases that inadvertently reached them as a tech company dedicated to the safety of women and girls; and how they used their app to get emergency services dispatched onto the scenes of the incident(s).

The Jugnu Project highlighted some concerns regarding possible tech-facilitated abuse via the app, regarding which the team at Iyzil assured them that they are researching possible avenues of further improvement: including hiding the application and adding further features of the safety of women and girls using the app.

|08.03.2024

Workshop at Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, on How Dental Professionals Can Help Survivors of Domestic Violence

The Jugnu Project collaborated with Umeed, to conduct a workshop aimed at teaching dental students on how they, as dental professionals, can help patients who are survivors of potential abuse.

|07.03.2024

A Women’s Day Celebration Event at Astrik Digital.

Astrik Digital invited Ms. Zohra Ahmed (founder of The Jugnu Project) as one of the guests of honor to speak at their event celebrating the women at their organization and to share insights from her professional journey.

Picture credit: Astrik Digital

|03.02.2024

A private training session for ladies regarding domestic violence and abuse.

The session aimed to clear misconceptions regarding domestic violence and initiated discussions on how to become impactful allies for survivors within our society. The session took place in collaboration with Umeed.

26.01.2024

68th Session of #UNCSW, hosted by The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW).

The priority theme of the event was “Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls by Addressing Poverty and Strengthening Institutions and Financing with a Gender Perspective”.