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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4296
INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 4993
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0538
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RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
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RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 5463

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAHORE 000014 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN PK
SUBJECT: MUKHTAR MAI: THE NEXT STEP 
 
REF: A) 09LAHORE215; B) 09LAHORE190 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary.  In 2009, Mukhtar Mai Women's Welfare 
Organization (MMWWO) expanded its advocacy programs, trained 
community volunteers and provided assistance to over 800 victims 
of gender-based violence (GBV) while facing pressure from feudal 
powers in an unstable security environment.  For much of 
June-October 2009, the organization was distracted by a murder 
case involving several members of the extended family of MMWWO's 
Chief-of-Staff, as victims, suspects, and witnesses.  As of 
January 2010, MMWWO leadership and staff appear to have 
refocused on their mission:  empowering women and fighting 
oppression.  End Summary. 
 
- - - 
Visit from RSO Sparks Progress 
- - - 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  On January 6, PolOff met with Samson Salamat, MMWWO 
manager, and Naseem Akhtar, MMWWO Chief-of-Staff, to discuss 
recent activities of the organization and progress made in 2009. 
 Salamat expressed gratitude for the support ConGen Lahore and 
the Bureau of Democracy, Rights and Labor (DRL) provided in 
2009, reftel A.  He was particularly grateful for ConGen Lahore 
Regional Security Officer (RSO)'s November 2009 visit to MMWWO's 
center in Meerwala, Muzzafargarh District, Punjab Province.  RSO 
provided a complete security assessment of the facilities and 
met with District Police Officer Mehboob Rashid.  The police 
post nearest to the MMWWO facility had been consistently fully 
staffed since the RSO visit.  MMWWO, with money from its 
existing budget, modified its facilities based on 
recommendations from RSO.  These include adding higher perimeter 
walls with anti-climb wire; using three local guards instead of 
a single guard at any given time; and rotating guards among 
positions at the school, the resource center, and compound 
entrance.  Since RSO's visit, the organization has not received 
any direct threats.  Salamat directly associates these 
improvements with the RSO visit. 
 
- - - 
Success Stories 
- - - 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  In July 2009, MMWWO launched a community volunteer 
program to strengthen its outreach efforts in southern Punjab. 
Fifty volunteers work in Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, 
Rajanpur and Muzzafargarh districts to raise awareness about 
GBV.  Over 200 people, including the volunteers, participated in 
a women's empowerment workshop in Multan on December 10, 2009. 
Salamat said they had planned for over 700 people, but were 
forced to scale down the program after the December 8 terrorist 
attacks in Lahore and Multan.  Activities included a speech 
competition by four female students selected from a larger 
competition held in the five southern districts.  The students 
spoke against "honor killings" (murder of a family member who 
dates, marries, or refuses to marry, contrary to the wishes of 
the family); the need for tougher laws to deter GBV; and the 
role can men play in stopping GBV.  Mukthar Mai herself spoke on 
the role of women in changing cultural stereotypes, and the need 
for government programs to protect survivors of GBV. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  On January 6, PolOff met with MMWWO social workers, a 
help-line supervisor and a shelter supervisor, in Lahore to 
attend a three-day GBV training.  During this training, staff 
members learned best practices for intake and referral of new 
clients.  They also visited other women's shelters, including 
one run by human rights activist Asma Jehangir, to exchange 
ideas.  When PolOff asked the MMWWO workers what motivated them 
to do such difficult work, often in the face of opposition from 
their families, the staff members simply replied, "women."  One 
social worker had herself sought shelter from MMWWO after 
refusing an arranged marriage.  She faces continued threats from 
her family, and is grateful for the opportunity MMWWO provides 
her to help other victims. 
 
- - - 
Resources Crunch Continues 
- - - 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Since 2007, DRL has funded two grants for MMWWO.  The 
first, USD 470,000, is a three-year grant with International 
Rescue Committee (IRC) to support capacity-building and on-going 
 
LAHORE 00000014  002 OF 002 
 
 
technical support.  The second, USD 225,000, is a three-year 
grant with National Endowment for Democracy (NED) to establish a 
women's resource center to provide shelter and legal assistance 
to victims of GBV.  The total allocation of funds for the grants 
has been dispersed and work is expected to be completed by 
December, 2010.  MMWWO has no/no domestic revenue source. 
Salamat said that Canada's International Development Agency 
(CIDA) had stopped funding for the school in November 2009.  He 
inquired whether the USG would consider funding, reftel B. 
 
- - - 
No Further Charges in Honor Killing Case 
- - - 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Salmat spoke briefly about the on-going murder 
investigation involving the family of Naseem Akhtar, MMWWO 
Chief-of-Staff, reftel B.  Akhtar's two brothers and a cousin 
remain in jail.  There is still pressure from the feudal forces 
in the area to implicate Akhtar in the investigation, but 
charges have not been filed against her.  Akhtar said that the 
threats against her and her family continued, but she did not 
ask for USG intervention in this case during the January 6 
conversation with PolOff.  Note:  From June to October 2009, 
MMWWO leadership pleaded daily with PolOff for intervention in 
Akhtar's case.  Since early November 2009, MMWWO's focus has 
been more professional in both content and frequency.  End Note. 
 
- - - 
Comment:  MMWWO Returns to Its Mission 
- - - 
¶7.  (SBU)  To be successful in attracting additional funding 
after current grant moneys run out, MMWWO must continue to 
emphasize their work for women's rights and avoid involvement in 
the personal troubles of their staff.  International donors have 
provided support for the infrastructure necessary to found 
MMWWO.  It is the responsibility of the staff to see Mukhtar 
Mai's vision through and carry MMWWO.  The organization must 
evaluate its programs and decide how to continue its work in a 
manner that does not require external financial assistance. 
This next step will require financial support, additional 
capacity-building, and careful oversight of their work to assist 
MMWWO in becoming a self-sustaining organization.  End Comment. 
CONROY