Jhelum, September 20, 2024: FAFEN’s Regional Network, All Pothohar Regional Alliance arranged a women’s National Identity Card (NIC) registration camp in Jhelum to enhance the registration of women who had previously been unable to obtain their NICs, an essential step for ensuring their access to government services and rights. The camp was organized on the occasion of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Identity Week from September 16 – 20, 2024.

The registration of citizens for national identification documents such as NIC is critical for enabling individuals to access government services, and social welfare programs, and exercise their democratic rights, including education, health, and voting. For women, especially in rural and marginalized communities, the lack of NIC can lead to exclusion from these benefits leading to gender inequality.

To support the initiative of All Pothohar Regional Alliance, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) provided a fully equipped mobile van to facilitate the NIC registration process, making it more accessible for participants. The mobile unit offered on-site services, allowing attendees, particularly women, to register for their NIC easily. Approximately 50 individuals were facilitated during the camp, with a significant number of them being women. This initiative was a key step in narrowing the gender gap in voter registration, ensuring that more women could exercise their right to vote in future elections.