Center of Excellence for Rural Development (CERD – Pakistan) in partnership with the British Council is implementing a project in 2 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Lower Dir and Buner.

The Aawaz II program, managed by British Council, works with local communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces to promote the rights of children, women, youth, and other marginalized groups. The program aims to address child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and intolerance and promote social cohesion in KP and Punjab.

Aawaz II community engagement component has two pathways for change focusing on thematic areas of child marriage, gender-based violence, and social cohesion by i) changing awareness, attitudes, and behaviors towards discrimination, intolerance, exploitation, and other harmful practices ii) referrals and citizen engagement on the thematic areas and issues of exclusion and exploitation.

The program is working through community-based downstream partners, developing sustainable community fora that augment and strengthen the voice of the marginalized and facilitate behavior change. The communities are provided safe spaces and access to referrals and information through Aawaz Aagahi Centres (AACs). 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 youth driving this change through their collective action and direct support of community fora will ensure long-term ownership and sustainability of the behavior change initiatives of Aawaz II.

Referral Directories: 

Project Activities Snapshots