Voiceless
News and Updates

Raising a voice for disabled people suffering domestic abuse.

Yesterday, in front of millions of people who knowingly or unknowingly saw how a victim of domestic abuse  was pushed to  the ground by his family member ( who looked like his elder sibling), footage

Government response

Eventually, the man was arrested due to the power of social media and activist voices Amjad’s post.  But what sort of a people are we that the governing body has not yet commented on the issue publicly?  Nothing in the Urdu Print Media was printed, or be it that matter, the English Press apart from the Markhor Times, where the issue was first highlighted.

We shared this with a minister and high-end officials; the least we expected was their press statement.  Indeed, that would be the sane thing to do!  All I was expecting was a circular notification that said something along the lines of ‘ The Government of Gilgit Baltistan condemns this incident  and this preparator would get a lifetime imprisonment or something along these lines,  to the  extent that the government knowingly supports us (the disabled community)

Concluding Remarks

 We are disappointed with how the government just was hushed about this.  There’s a need to see more robust measures regarding persons with disabilities in Gilgit Baltistan.  Many such cases go unreported, even on social media.  There’s no excuse for not issuing a circular notification to at least show some unity with the disabled community in terms of protecting them against domesticated abuse or violence

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News and Updates

Disabled Individuals in Gilgit-Baltistan Caught in the Web of Domestic Abuse and Property Disputes.

Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring peaks of the Himalayas and Karakoram, Gilgit-Baltistan is often celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty: however, beneath the serene landscapes and picturesque vistas lies a harrowing reality that plagues the lives of many disabled individuals in the region – domestic abuse driven by wealth and property disputes.

This article aims to shed light on the grim experiences of disabled people in Gilgit-Baltistan who face domestic abuse due to property-related conflicts.

Understanding the Context

Domestic abuse is a grave issue that affects countless lives worldwide, irrespective of gender, age, or disability. In Gilgit-Baltistan, where issues related to land and property hold immense importance in the social fabric, disabled individuals often find themselves particularly vulnerable to abuse when these disputes arise. For instance, in the image, you see someone who has some form of disability. clearly being beaten up by an ableist.

Property as a Precursor to Abuse

Property and land disputes are common in the region due to various historical, cultural, and legal factors. In cases where a disabled individual holds a stake in such disputes, they are frequently targeted by family members seeking control over valuable assets. This leads to a disturbing cycle of abuse, with the disabled person subjected to physical, emotional, and psychological torment.

Economic Dependency

Many disabled individuals in Gilgit-Baltistan face economic dependency on their families due to limited employment opportunities and inadequate disability support systems. This economic vulnerability makes them easy prey in property-related conflicts. When disputes arise, family members may view the disabled individual as a hindrance to their financial gain and resort to abuse as a means of asserting control.

Forms of Abuse

The abuse faced by disabled individuals in Gilgit-Baltistan takes various forms, including:

  • Physical Abuse: Disabled individuals may be physically assaulted, sometimes leading to severe injuries and long-lasting trauma.

Emotional Abuse: They often endure emotional torment, including constant belittlement, humiliation, and isolation from social activities.

Psychological Abuse: Disabled individuals may suffer from severe psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, as a result of the abuse they endure.

Financial Exploitation:

 Family members may mismanage or withhold financial resources that are essential for the disabled person’s well-being.

Forced Isolation:

 Disabled individuals may be forcibly isolated, further exacerbating their vulnerability and limiting their access to help and support. Disabled individuals may be forcibly isolated, further exacerbating their vulnerability and limiting their access to help and support.

What’s the way forward

  1. Legal Reforms: Stricter laws and regulations must be implemented to protect the rights of disabled individuals, particularly in property disputes. Legal recourse should be accessible and efficient.
  2. Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about the rights and vulnerabilities of disabled individuals is crucial. Community awareness programs can help change attitudes and promote empathy.
  3. Support Services: Establishing support systems, including counseling and rehabilitation services, is essential for the physical and mental well-being of disabled victims of abuse.
  4. Economic Empowerment: Creating opportunities for disabled individuals to gain financial independence can reduce their vulnerability in property disputes.
  5. Community Involvement: Engaging community leaders and elders in resolving property conflicts peacefully and without resorting to abuse is vital.

Conclusion

The serene landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan may hide the silent suffering of disabled individuals caught in the web of domestic abuse and property disputes. It is incumbent upon society, government, and local authorities to come together and ensure that these vulnerable individuals are protected and their rights are upheld. Only then can the region truly celebrate its natural beauty with a clear conscience, knowing that it does not come at the cost of human suffering

Social Media Tools
disabilities

The Mass Media creates fear about disabled people.

We always grew up with the quote ‘ there is a time and a place ‘ for a particular situation or scenario.  It depends on which part of the world you belong to.  Some may say it differently; some may say it in lovey-dovey lingo.  Nevertheless, this conflict or psychological warfare between the Ables [1] and people with disabilities has not ended rather escalated thanks to the mass Media.  To put it another way, Global societies have to an extent always depicted the disable (s) as victims [2] .  Why?

Assessing the disabled victim card

One of the LinkedIn Posts that stood out was when a disabled activist said ‘ Why hasn’t the government been able to establish even a single Skills Development Center in Gilgit-Baltistan for the training of PWDs from 1947 until now?  ‘ Farhan Baig’s profile.  This is significant because it shows the incompetence of governments and similarities across political spectrums and ideologies.  If one were to look  at the United States, a relatively new nation-state, it would also be a perfect fit because it  also has unequal treatment of disabled persons.  For example healthcare provisions, Obama Care vs. Private Care.  India would also fit this model.

Thus, the disabled victim card suits the few and not the many which is why disable people are victims and this fear factor was instilled into the masses by the Mass Media Earlier review.

The Mass Media uses and misuses

 The internet especially Social media is the power now.  Everything and anything can be retrieved on it : from the writings of Milton Friedman to Qanon and everything else.  From a movie angle, the disables are a great fit to play victims.  That is why I believe that people do not see the value in engaging with disabled people, not because X isn’t a great person, but because Jim Parsons who plays a fictional character, [3] has created in the mind of Y that X will be Sheldon.  So everything is messed up inside our judgments: we say one thing and do the other because we are limited in our creative thoughts and individual judgment. People tend to belief that the world reflects what is shown rather than what is not : to put it another way, people don’t have time to think, read and judge about disabled people.

Conclusion.

The Mass Media creates fear in society about disabled people.


[1] Using plurals of groups

[2] Ibid.

[3] In the Big Bang Theory

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News and Updates

Update from Goodwill Centre

In our commitment to inclusivity, we celebrate the remarkable journey of two brothers from the same household who have overcome the challenges of not being able to speak. 💪

Their inability to communicate verbally doesn’t define their abilities. These brothers possess talents and capabilities that are on par with anyone else in our diverse society. 🤝

Through dedicated training and unwavering support, we aim to break down barriers and integrate individuals with all types of disabilities into our community. Together, we can create a world where every person’s unique abilities are recognized and valued.

permanently disconnected
how to aware

Disconnected from the Economy. The Economic Burden.

In an economy like Pakistan, all economic resources must be pooled to stabilize the financial system. An economy dictates how a country will progress, rather than the slogans of Karl Marx or other socialist parties. We saw how Russia under Lenin fell and then under Stalin became a failed system. Without discussing greater political history, this war between ‘ ableism and disabled,’ a much more significant loss, is felt by the disabled community every day and every month of the week.

An earlier article on this website that reviewed evidence showed Persons with Disablities can benefit the economy. It also opposed Marx’s ideas of being an Ideal Man suited for work. Lit Review: Nonetheless, there was no follow-up after that because it was understood that this was important, the rights for PWDs in all forms of employment. However, now, it is a wake-up call for all private and governmental agencies to employ Persons with Disablities in Gilgit Baltistan.

Economic analysis for Persons with Disablities (updated September 2023)

Using the British Council 2014 lens, Pakistan’s economic Growth Rate is predicted to be at . 22% [1]  as BC showed in 2014 that Pakistan could lose 6.3% of its GDP due to the exclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs). So what does this indicate? Firstly, it shows that Pakistanis [2]  are not interested in accommodating PWDs. Secondly, it shows that there has to be serious dialogue for employing a disabled person. Remember, if you are employing a disabled person, it can open different avenues and revenue generation schemes.

Conclusion

Without including Persons with Disablities in Gilgit Baltistan, one can not boost the economy, as shown by the British Council Data.


[1] Reuters probably have not considered the British Council data.

[2] In this context, referring to the Pakistani government

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News and Updates

Mehnaz Fatima Visit to our office

On the 4th of September, the CEO of The Mehnaz Fatima Foundation, Ms Tahira Sher, with her team, visited the Goodwill Skills Development Centre. Ms. Sher, being familiar with the Goodwill team led by Farhan Baig assured that MFF will partner with Goodwill on

Skills Development

Encouraging Disabled Individuals

Working Towards Greater Equality and Gender Equality

as both parties met earlier in June MFF’s first intro.

GBGM’s commitment toward disabled people.

We’re wholeheartedly committed to making a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities. 🙌 Offering free skills training to empower them towards a brighter future. Together, we’ll break barriers! 💪#EmpowerAbility#inclusionmatters

disABILITY and Society
how to aware

Conversing with Disabled Individuals.

We saw this LinkedIn Post about how people are said to be uncomfortable with disability. Rivera’s post and what was written in it reflected, if not all, the lives of disabled people in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, and the World. Social media has not shown the difficulties of disabled people as it should.

Ableist Clickbaiting versus Disableist Seeking Rights?

We have often had to implement specific social media marketing tactics that were not our choice but society’s demands. Though we can not say that content creators do not have a right to clickbait, in our context, so much clickbait reinforces stereotypes that do not represent us.

The Psychology behind Conformity informs us that people, whether in Rome, Islamabad, or Gilgit, have been forced to think that disabled people can not do anything, can not achieve anything and are a burden on society ( which is very untrue) home.

Just because the Goodwill team reports on facts rather than distorted facts, it somehow gets lost in the Worldwide Web, which should not be the case. To put it simply, in an ideal world, content creators should be discussing these issues rather than fashion

Conclusion

Real-life issues should be discussed on social media, including Persons with Disablities. Much of the content on our website will come last, as much of the social media is clickbait. The issues discussed here are significant and foremost, as they dictate people’s livelihoods and opportunities within a society. People should view the stories as a glimpse of what reality means for disabled people of Gilgit Baltistan and other countries that our stories cover.

By putting fashion icons first, it seems that humans do not want to converse with disabled people on how an ableist has impacted their lives:

  • Environment
  • Culture
  • Language
  • The Social Make-up of Society

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Uncategorized

Why are the people of Gilgit Baltistan trusted? What benefit does this have to our mission?

Many past sociologists have contested whether one’s environment (nurture) or whether one’s genetic code influences one’s life chances (nature). Whether you are on either side of the debate, facts cannot be distorted. We are told by many people what is the success rate of this (skills development center). We often have to gather evidence, write reports, etc., but let it be known that the People of Gilgit Baltistan are, if not the most accepting of disabled people at the moment, will be in the years to come because education is evolving daily within the region.

Investing in Gilgit Baltistan’s Disabled Society is a smart move.

While one investor should know the problems of disabled people in Gilgit Baltistan Home, one should also consider the environment of Gilgit Baltistan, its educational attainment and the general background of the area. While many of the problems are highlighted on this website, let it be known that evidence has come from reputable sources, including Ijaz Shigri’s report that highlights ‘ Gilgit Baltistan is open for education as net enrolment is high ‘ Shigri, 2016. Moreover, the Al Jazeera report of education thriving in Hunza supports Shigri’s viewpoint, but how is this related to disabled people? Behaviourism!

Conformity and Investment

Many investors lack the psychological knowledge of Behaviourism within human beings. Applying Stanley Milligram’s 1961 obedience experiment, we can say that disabled people will be ambitious to compete with their non-disabled counterparts. We see this on social media, but more often than not, the obedience experiment Reflects human behavior. The point I am trying to make here is with such a competing environment, disabled people of Gilgit Baltistan will over the time use this psychological hack to their advantage.

Any evidence to back your claim up?

Like we said whether you are on either side of the debate, facts cannot be distorted. The Sociology Head Zubair Ahmed of Gilgit’s KIU talked about a disabled student Muhammad Rafi who said that Rafi now can access notes due to Goodwill’s work Zubair Ahmed’s speech. Likewise many videos on our YouTube channel shows that students are gaining the skills which is reflective of our actions Goodwill Channel.

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disabilities

The Romans and Disabled Culture

If there is one place where global society learned its structures, it was Rome, home of the Romans.  The Roman Civilisation, modern-day Italy has historical facilities which tourists can learn from.  Rome is a tourist destination with a historical significance nowadays and in the past.

Hidden Social Meanings found within its buildings and surroundings

Rome is diverse, from the Vatican City to the Coliseum, but with that, Italians appericate their history and reflect upon the past mistakes that were committed.  Academics have highlighted that, like in Pakistan these days and across the world, Depending on one’s status, impairments would have more or less an impact on their daily life.  Read more; for instance, the ‘Great ‘Julius Caesar experienced many seizures.

Secondly, in terms of the present-day Vatican, Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio, after ten at night, lets people experiencing poverty in Rome sleep in his Gardens palaces.  What message this brings is that even though the Romans and the Roman Church argue that there is a move away from feudalism to socialism, even though people might critique and suggest that feudalism is within the churches, which I agree with, there is a time and place to critique such people.

Romans versus the Pakistan Elite

For the latter part of the discussion, let’s assume that the Brits have taken this Aspect from the Romans/Italians.  Can the Pakistani Elite not do the same for PWDs?  Are we suggesting that the Pakistani Elite are much bigger than the Romans?  Sania Nishtar’s programs, such as Ehsaas and HealthCard, pushed the Social Welfare Agenda, but why was it stopped, especially for PWDs?  Where is that agenda?  A Unjust Budget

Conclusion

Gilgit Baltistan has a rich history, but unlike the Italians, the feudalistic structures still remain within society. We must treat disabled persons the same, no matter whether they are poor or not.

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News and Updates

Working on Furthering International Relations – Amna Begum Community Welfare Trust

After their latest visit to Gilgit Baltistan, Amtul Akthar, Chairperson of the Amna Begum Community Welfare Trust, called upon the Chief Executive Officer Ghulam Muhammad Baig of Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement in London on Friday, the 25th of August, to discuss further matters in Gilgit Baltistan ABC’s last visit.

Conclusion of the ABC’s Trust Visit

Amtul Akthar appreciated the practical work of Mr. Farhan Baig, President, and his team. Amtul said ‘that in Gilgit Baltistan, there are very few entities that Ghulam and Farhan have established that are honest, effective communicators and have a good environment where Persons with Disabilities work. The other Director, Mr. Salim Akthar, contributed and added that he (Ghulam) is a good leader as he has given PWDs the right to express themselves and promotes each student individually. Ghulam and the board of advisors thanked them.

What was the outcome for the marginalised communities of Gilgit Baltistan?

We as the organization are very pleased that the ABC Trust supports us but certain common similarities such as the government not being able to effectively support us were discussed. While welfare provisions are mentioned in Gilgit Baltistan law, these acts are not implemented which both organisations need to work on. The ABC Trust is a supporter of GBGM because the organisation supports marginalised people as the ABC Trust supports orphans.

We believe that both organisations have the potential to raise awareness internationally for disabled persons or moreover the marginalised people of Gilgit Baltistan could not only be supported at the regional level, but we are unable to do this as some government officials are not concerned for the welfare of disabled persons by their actions and not words!!!