UPCOMING EVENTS
MON MAY 13, 12:00 PM
Launch of GEM Mission Pakistan's Preliminary Report
SAT MAY 11
GEM Mission Monitors Elections from a Gender Perspective
Press Conferenceto Launch Gender Election Monitoring Mission Pakistan
THU MAY 9, 14:30PM
Multi-Stakeholder Round Table on Inclusive Democracy and Pakistan's 2013 Elections
THU MAY 9, 12:30 PM
Gender Election Monitoring Missions Deploys International Observers
THU MAY 2
THU FEB 28, 12:30 PM
The Aurat Foundation and Gender Concerns International sign a MoU to monitor Pakistan's upcoming elections.
Sabra BANO (Netherlands/Pakistan) - Head of the GEM Mission
Sabra Bano has extensive experience as an international observer. She has launched and headed GEM Missions in Pakistan (2008), Tunisia (2011), Morocco (2011), and Libya (2012). Sabra is the co-founder and director of Gender Concerns International and a renowned Dutch international gender expert, trainer, and lobbyist who has organized many campaigns, conferences, and training sessions in the MENA Region and South Asia. She holds degrees in Philosophy and Women and Development.
Magda de MEYER (Belgium) - Deputy Head of GEM Mission
Magda de Meyer has been Gender Concerns International’s Deputy Head of GEM Missions in Pakistan (2008), Tunisia (2011) and Libya (2012). She headed the Belgian Mission to Congo (2011) and observed the 2006 presidential elections in Congo as an International Observer for the European Union. Magda is the director Poverty Cell at the Flemish Government and the Deputy Head of the European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) Belgium section. She is a long-time activist for gender rights and holds a degree in Germanic philology.
The International Observers
Lucyna de GRAAF-STRUKOWSKA (Netherlands) – International Observer
Lucyna de Graaf-Strukowska has experience as an international election observer in Gender Concerns International’s previous GEM Missions in Libya (2012) and Morocco (2011).
She is a consultant for Palliative Medicine in the Kennemerland South region of Amstelland and has over 10 years of experience as a general practitioner. She is also a trainer for general practitioners at the Amsterdam Medical Center.
Katharina STÖCKLI (Switzerland) – International Observer
Katharina Stöckli is project coordinator at the Gender Concerns International and a PhD candidate researching the influence foreign actors have on the gender policy-making process in Afghanistan. She holds a MA in History and Islamic Studies with focus on gender issues in relation with the Islam. Katharina is fascinated by woman-specific topics, Islamic culture, policy and history.
Shukria HASSANI (Afghanistan) – International Observer
Shukria Hassani is a liaison officer and lobbyist for Gender Concerns International in Kabul. She underwent many trainings related to grants, fair trial principles, gender’s equalities and children rights. She has broad experience in working with international organizations, such as: Save the Children, Action Aid and Japan International Cooperation Agency. Shukria has a BA degree in public and private law and judiciary.
Klaudyna MIKOŁAJCZYK (Poland) – International Observer
Klaudyna Mikołajczyk is a project coordinator at the Gender Concerns International. She holds a MA degree in International Law and MA degree in Contemporary Asian Studies. Klaudyna is passionate about political affairs and gender empowerment worldwide. She has previously supported the development of many projects related to human rights and technological innovations.
The Administrative Support
Farida Qazi Qaiser is the Deputy Head of Operations for Gender Concerns International in Pakistan.
Farida Qazi Qaiser
Deputy Head Pakistan Office
(Pakistan)
Melissa Vargas
Coordinator GEM Mission
(United States of America)
Melissa Vargas is the GEM Mission Program coordinator for Gender Concerns International. She received her Master degree in Identity and Integration at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands). She has in depth knowledge of cultural barriers within states that prevent harmonisous living.
Simran Sohi
Gender Law & Justice
(The Netherlands)
Simran Sohi is an administrator at the Gender Concerns International. Passionate about international criminal law, she is currently obtaining her BA degree in International Law. She is a dedicated supporter of many human-rights related initiatives and events.
OUR TEAM