We rise, by lifting others. Farheen Naveed from PUAN Karachi Chapter set out on a mission to prevent violence and empower women living with people with substance abuse disorders to increase awareness regarding domestic abuse, violence and trauma, and different coping strategies to deal with such issues. This project was successfully conducted and supported by the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) and the U.S. Mission in Pakistan.
For women living in a household where a male member suffers from a substance use disorder, her reality is akin to that of a warzone. She never knows what’s going to trigger a violent outburst from her spouse or partner. Coupled with a lack of awareness regarding drug addiction and treatment options and, the stigma attached to it, women become victims stuck in a vicious cycle of abuse, depression, and trauma. Project Lift Up was dedicated to the prevention of violence and empowerment of women living in such conditions.
The mission title “LIFT UP” represents:
- Learning (about violence and abuse)
- Information (about available support in community)
- Fostering (building confidence and self-esteem)
- Trust (your abilities to recover and live a happy life
- Uniting ( you are not alone)
- Promoting ( collaboration, networking and awareness)
Drug abuse takes a toll not only on the individual consuming the substance, but the entire family, with severe economical, psychological and social consequences. It’s attached with the emotions of shame, guilt, stigma, poverty, and mental health issues. The purpose of this project was to address violence against women living in drug affected families.
The primary activities of this ASG included screening of a short film ‘Kiran’ to sensitise people about addiction in family, providing counselling services for women living in drug affected families, training workshop for survivors by engaging psychologists, social workers and, counsellors and, a training workshop for professionals on prevention of violence against women.
Sameena Nazeer, a beneficiary of the project, says:
“My husband and son both do drugs and them come home, beat me and abuse me verbally. From NHCC, I was referred to Mr. Sehar for ocunselling and support group meeting. I feel like my life is rebuilding, my respect, my confidence is getting back. I hear the stories of other women and it gives me a lot of courage. I am glad to be a part of this program.”
Farheen and her team dedicated their efforts towards promoting family education sessions, support groups, individual psychotherapy sessions with licensed professionals and walk-in consultations. Project activities were carried out in support with partner organizations including Drug Free Pakistan Foundation (DFPF), New Horizons Care Center and, Institute of Clinical Psychology University of Karachi.
At least 150 women reported an increase in awareness and understanding of emotional and physical violence through these trainings. They also reported an increased sense of emotional and psychological wellbeing which will result in the overall improvement of their individual lives and improve the relationship they have with their children. The participants were also given the ability to acquire financial stability by learning vocational skills through the referral of partner vocation training and employment centres.
