Harmony Foundation
The program with the women brick kiln workers is the education of the women workers in brick kiln industry on the human rights framework, condition of the workers rights in Pakistan, the struggle for the acquisition of the rights. The following activities were undertaken during the year 2009:
1. Democracy Schools for women workers in brick kiln industry:
Eight democracy schools of one-week duration were conducted for the women workers in areas of Toba Tek Singh and Faisalabad. Five Schools were conducted in Faisalabad in the areas of Ellahiabad, Ch # 7, Panjwar, Village 79 JB, Jhang Road and Chaman Zar while in Toba Tek Singh three schools were conduced in the areas of Nagra Bhatta, Berian Wala and Ch. 331 GB.The democracy schools are aimed at linking the struggle of women workers with the main stream democratic struggle in the society and increasing the contribution of the women workers' not in the struggle for their own rights but also for a democratic Pakistan which definitely own the issues of women workers.
The resource persons facilitated the programs in very simple language which was easily understandable for the participants.
3. Preparation workshop for Theatre:
A theatre training workshop was organized with the theatre members to prepare a theatre on rights of the women brick kiln workers. A theatre on the concepts of the issues of women brick kiln workers, democracy and governance was prepared.4. Theatre Performance for mobilization of the workers for their rights:
The theatre team presented thirteen performances in the areas of Ch. # 7, Panjwar, Chaman Zar Colony, Ellahiabad, Khushal Town, Dawood Nagar, Nagra Bhatta, Berian Wala, Village 79 JB, Jhang Road, Village 296 GB, Village 335 JB and Ch. 331 G.B. The basic purpose of the theatre performance of the team was to motivate and mobilize the brick kiln women workers about their rights. The theatre team provides awareness and education on the women workers rights with special focus to brick kiln women workers.The following issues were focused by the theatre team in their performances:
The theatre team presented the above issues and problems in very simple way and describes the solutions of these problems like written contract of job, fixed working hours, leaves entitlement and maternity leaves etc.
5. Publishing Manual for replication and further education:
After conducting the democracy schools and theatre performances a training manual was prepared and published for the wider use of the manual and replication of the democracy schools idea for other organizations and groups. 1,000 copies of this manual were prepared in this regard.
Harmony Foundation is carrying out the activity for the education and training of the women brick kiln workers on democracy and governance linking it with the rights of the women workers in brick kiln industry and the working condition of these women.
The education and training of these workers is carried out in the Democracy Schools. The idea of the Democracy Schools is originated by a women rights organization Women Helping Women. Harmony Foundation has replicated this idea in the District Faisalabad.