SHIRKAT GAH

Shirkat Gah is a non-hierarchical women's collective that works to foster the participation of women in national economic development. Formed during the 1975 International Women's Year by a group of Pakistani women dissatisfied with the approach of existing women's organizations, Shirkat Gah initially focused on research, consciousness raising, and the discussion of feminism and women's rights. It also worked to implement what was then the unfamiliar approach of running an organization with a non- hierarchical structure. In the feudal patriarchal Pakistani society, most women found these concepts alien and threatening.

Over the past decade and a half, members have worked to strengthen the nascent women's movement in Pakistan, creating the Women's Action Forum and publishing a bibliography on materials about women in Pakistan and other Islamic countries. More recently, members have been working directly with development projects, facilitating links between funding agencies and grassroots organizations. Shirkat Gah's main office is in Karachi and a branch is in Lahore.

In November 1990, Shirkat Gah sponsored and hosted the Asian Regional Conference on Trafficking of Women and Children. It was co-sponsored by the Thailand-based Asian Council for Development (ACFOD). (This conference was held in Karachi, Pakistan, not India as stated in the WIA 1/91 issue. Apologies for the error.)

Main Office:
SHIRKAT GAH
1 Bath Island Road, Karachi 75530 Pakistan
Tel. 573046
Telex: 24154 MARK PK

Branch Office:
SHIRKAT GAH
18-A, Mian Mir Road
P.O. Moghalpura, Lahore - 15, Pakistan
Tel. (042) 874951

CHILD WORKERS IN NEPAL: Concerned Center (CWIN)

CWIN, a social voluntary group, founded in January 1987, works for the rights, welfare and dignity of children who are exploited and oppressed. The Centre's main concern is working children, who are victims of injustice and exploitation. It also works against child trafficking. The Center's main objective is to build up a better atmosphere for children, who live in difficult circumstances. CWIN seeks to guide them towards a brighter future. Research and dissemination of information about working children in Nepal, are main areas of work. Educational, medical, material, legal and other humanistic support are provided, as far as resources permit. CWIN also advocates the rights of children, and educates adults to safeguard and promote the fundamental rights of children. Social
participatory programmes are also organized through "Friends of CWIN," that consists of well wishers and sympathizers.

CWIN P.O.BOX4374, Kalimati, Kathmandu, Nepal

MWANAGAZA (IDUKU) WOMEN GROUP

This group started in 1986 with less than 20 members. Since then, the number of members grew gradually to 75. Their main activities are: farming (maize, potatoes, beans, sorghum, and vegetables) and handicraft. They have a few cattle to get milk from. From the produce that they get from the land, they sell half of the produce they get from the land and put the money in a savings account. The other half of the produce is equally divided to spend for their children's education, and to buy farming tools.

They have a two-fold future plan: To start a poultry project of 100 heads of chicken, and to buy a tractor to help lessen their burden of tilling the 1,125 acre land by hand and oxen.

Members of this group are friendly and would love to communicate with friends, and offer hospitality to those who would like to pay them a visit.

Contact: Mrs. J.E. Lingan
Secretary for Mwanagaza (IDUKU) Women's Group
P.O. Box 660, Turbo, Kenya
40 'MfwuninJUtitm