Three hundred and twenty (320) Rural Women in 11 districts of Pakistan learnt about the significance of 15^th September World Democracy day & 16^th September World Identity day during 15^th to 20^th September 2024 by “PODA Rural Women’s Network for civic Leadership & Participation” with the support of National Endowment for Democracy. Furthermore the network will identify the persons in their communities facing any issues in getting their identity and will guide and help those to get registered.  

International Day of Democracy is celebrated worldwide on 15 September each year. To commemorate 15 September Democracy Day and 16 September Legal Identity Day, PODA Pakistan successfully organized awareness-raising sessions across 11 districts in the four provinces, engaging 320 female youth and women leaders in a campaign to empower rural women from 15-20 September 2024. The campaign educated rural women, and youth on obtaining CNICs, legal identity, and voter registration, empowering them to actively engage in political processes, and strengthen their community involvement.

Women leaders led the activities in their respective districts: Ms. Asia Asif in District Quetta (Balochistan) Ms. Kausar in Abbottabad, Ms. Sajida Hasrat Khan in Haripur, Ms. Fatima Zahid in Kohat (KP) Ms.  Saima Batool in Vehari, Ms. Shenaz Ajmal in Rajanpur, Ms. Bushra Banoo in Sahiwal (Punjab) – Ms. Saba Abbasi in Ghotki, Ms. Darakshan in Karachi, Ms. Hira Aman in Khairpur (Sindh). Together, they strengthened their communities’ involvement in political processes.

Ms. Hira Aman emphasized that Legal identity ensures that persons are recognized by the state, granting access to essential services, rights, and protections necessary for a dignified and equitable life. Without legal identity, people remain invisible, unable to fully participate in society, access justice, or exercise their fundamental rights.”

Ms. Zainab said, “Legal identity ensures every person is recognized by law, enabling them to access services, participate in governance, and claim their rights. Legal identity empowers a person to claim their rights, secure their futures, and break cycles of exclusion and poverty.”

These activities were organized by the “Rural Women’s Network for Civic Leadership and Participation”, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).