LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday launched its report Mapping Social Movements in Pakistan.

“The report comes at an opportune time in the country’s history. Increasingly vulnerable groups are finding a collective voice to push back against repressive policies and laws, and challenge the status quo,” an HRCP statement said.

“The rise of these secular, social movements in a country where mainstream politics is increasingly being stifled has come with its unique set of challenges and constraints.

“Based on a series of focus group discussions, the HRCP has documented the changing dynamics and strategies employed by different social movements and their organisers, along with a deep delve into the history of their demands, breakthroughs and roadblocks.

“This report looks at their potential for social change, their relationship with mainstream politics, the possibility of collaboration between different social movements, and the role of social media as a tool for mobilization in the face of censorship and mainstream media blackouts.

“The report documents the women’s rights movement, the students’ movement, the movements led by victims of enforced disappearances and urban development, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, and movements organized by working professionals such as young doctors, nurses, lady health workers, and teachers,” the HRCP said.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2022