AWAZ-II Program: Aawaz II promotes the rights of children, women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, and transgender persons, by creating awareness, providing information and linking them with relevant government structures.
Aawaz II is a FCDO funded, five-year long programme which will work with local communities in 45 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab to promote the rights of children, women, youth, and other marginalized groups, to strengthen their control over their own development. The AAWAZ II Programme has four pillars and the British Council is leading on the delivery of the community pillars relating to community dialogue, awareness and voice, and social cohesion. As part of the delivery of these pillars, AAWAZ II will provide information referrals, facilitate citizenstate engagement for uptake of services and enhance capacities of local communities. In Phase I (Jan 2020- Dec. 2021) Aawaz II will work with civil society organizations to implement the community-based interventions in 22 selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Through these downstream partners, Aawaz II will be developing sustainable community forum that help augment and strengthen the voice of the marginalized. The communities will be provided access to referrals and information through Aawaz Aagahi Centers (AACs), Village and District Forums. The transformative effect of increased awareness and information, and the provision of training, support and linkages will result in a sustainable change within communities. Strong engagement with young people driving this change through their collective social action and direct support of community forum will ensure long-term ownership and sustainability of the behaviour change.