STEP at a glance

Society for The Empowerment of People (STEP) is Human Rights based Non-Governmental Organization, mobilizing people for their rights by community supported voluntary effort focused on the people’s agenda since 1998. STEP was registered in July 2001 as a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. STEP believes that Peace is achievable only if all citizens irrespective of their religion, gender and ethnicity are equal in the eyes and functioning of the State. STEP considers poverty, inequality, illiteracy, intolerance and greed as the main reasons behind War, Terrorism and Extremism. Thus equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all citizens are the only guarantee for a peaceful society. STEP is a member organization of various National & International Networks for promoting Peace & Human Rights.
 

Aims

To institutionalize & expand the work of STEP by creating, operating and maintaining a society, with peace and respect for human rights;

Through this, to:
-  To carry out structured social educational activities, aimed at exploring, understanding, strengthening and promoting concepts and practices around peace, human rights, religious harmony & social justice.

-  To initiate a tradition of social activism and involvement and to combat apathy.

-  To highlight the need and importance of Human Rights Education, Peace & Religious Harmony as effective and powerful educational spaces for future replication.
 

STEP's Approach

- Lobbying with government to make human rights a priority issue and develop legal and institutional mechanisms;
- Monitoring of the human rights situation in the country though analyzing human rights at large;
- Research to assess and highlight issues facing masses and make recommendations;
- Capacity building of duty bearers through training of teachers, social activists and information sharing sessions with government officials;
- Mass awareness and educating the public about the situation and human rights 7 peace through campaigns, information material and electronic media messages;
- Networking with local and international organizations for building synergies and collaboration mechanisms between like-minded organizations.
- Strengthening human rights activists by supporting and training of child rights activists at local levels;
- Strategic interventions for masses for involving them in peace education & campaigning against small arms proliferation in the country.
 

Outreach

STEP's outreach at regional level is based with Human Rights Groups. There are 10 volunteer groups consisting of local activists working on Human Rights’ issue are working in 10 different Districts of Pakistan.

Focus

STEP works for:

-  Human Rights, Peace & Inter Faith Harmony
-  Women & Children Empowerment
-  Youth
-  Health & Education

Governance

STEP's Board of Directors comprises of leading civil society leaders and activists. The Board meets at least twice a year and provides support and guidance on policy issues, and also participates in various STEP activities. At present, Society for The Empowerment of people-STEP is governed by its Board of Directors, elected for a two-year term in 2011.