Today, AwazCDS has been operating in the whole of Pakistan with the help of its highly trained and well experienced team members who are professionally committed and serving at its Head Office at Multan. Awaz-CDS core programs are being implemented in 15 districts of Southern Punjab with the help of strategically established 4 field offices & 53 PARC Networks, however its advocacy outreach programms/ campaigns covers whole of Pakistan. AwazCDS, during the first decade of its existence, worked for the marginalized communities of South Punjab on a variety of social development issues: including customs and practices, economic, political, rural development, urbanization, environmental hazards like nuclear waste management and livelihoods as well as on tribal and traditional societies. A network of people, civil society organizations and development scientists evolved and increasing support from the donors provided for the further growth of the organization. It is during this period also that seminal work on rural characteristics, best and replicable social development practices, concentration on niche products, environmental hazards, advocacy, lobbying and networking with emphasis on women issues, and the nature of area poverty itself was undertaken.
How it all started
Unlike most of its contemporary NGOs’ which came into being in the aftermath of a natural disaster or a man-made one- AWAZ was not a consequence of any particular such an incident. AWAZ was founded by Mr. Mohammad Zia-ur-Rehman & the group of local university graduates who were politically enlightened and realized that they owe a great deal of return to the society at large in 1995. Widespread ignorance, poverty, sectarianism, violence, non democratic culture & values, human especially women rights violations and social backwardness of the region of Southern Punjab because of the feudalism and constant military regimes only provided extra impetus to this group of youth. AWAZ is an Urdu word, which means ‘voice’. The whole idea was to provide a platform to facilitate and capacitate marginalized communities to raise their voice against socio-economic and political disparities of the region.
Development Mantara
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Awaz’s vision
A democratic, prosperous and peaceful society by working together with local, national, regional, international bodies and partners.
Awaz’s Mission
to develop and provide integrated and innovative solutions in cooperation with local, national, regional, and international partners, which foster action and change for securing the future of the marginalised community.
Awaz’s Values
Well-being and dignity of all rural and marginalized people
Primacy of the interests and voices of poor and marginalized rural people with emphasis on women
Equity, inclusion, and respect for diversity and integrity
Peace for rural peoples and communities
Conservation of the natural and cultural inheritance of the rural communities
Excellence at par in executing community development endeavors
Regional understanding and cooperation
Awaz’sObjectives
To Provide essential health and hygiene education and services in the program areas
To Enhance literacy and education particularly among girls and women in the program areas
To Empower people, especially women through group formation, training and networking
To Reduce poverty by providing training, initiating area specific income generation programs
To Conserve local environment by taking appropriate measures and providing services
To conduct research and undertake policy level advocacy on related themes and
To facilitate mechanisms which promote tolerance, social harmony and peace in society
Awaz’s Strategy
Mobilization and organisation of marginalised communities
Capacity building Conscientizing and awareness raising
Conducting grassroots level research
Advocacy, lobbying and networking
Provision of essential services particularly in health, education, water sanitation and human rights
Linkages development and Information dissemination
Awaz’s Approach
Participatory and Target Group (un-rooted people)
Bottom Up planning and execution
Social Inclusion (gender sensitive and minority inclusion) and
Reliance on local knowledge, conventional wisdom and indigenous skills
