Pakistan is considered a fragile state due, among other things, to the low level of enforcement of its basic state functions. State institutions at all levels are unable to provide people with basic services. There is a large energy deficit nationwide to ensure the continuous supply of electricity to the rapidly growing population. Rural areas in Pakistan are not connected to the electricity grid. Most villagers therefore have no way of using electrical devices. Added to this is the poverty of the population. 21% of Pakistanis live below the poverty line, i.e. on less than €1.20 a day. The majority of them, around 80%, are rural (UNDP 2015, IFAD 2014). The lack of electricity increases poverty, has a negative impact on the already low level of education and restricts people's everyday lives (BMZ 2011).
The villages in the Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar districts are located in areas that are difficult to access and are often affected by floods and droughts. The lack of electricity and the prohibitive prices of candles and kerosene lamps mean that it is dark after sunset. After working in the fields, many everyday activities such as small repairs or children's homework cannot be carried out. In addition, darkness also brings with it insecurity. Many criminal attacks take place in the dark, which is why many villagers do not dare to leave their houses alone after sunset.
Women and girls in particular do not feel safe and often avoid going to the toilet or to fetch water in the evening out of fear. They traditionally have few rights in Pakistan and are exposed to a particularly high risk of violence and rape - particularly due to the strict moral principles and strong social discrimination. This is particularly true for young, unmarried women in rural areas. More light and thus visibility is a first step towards giving them and the other villagers more freedom of action (DW 2012, Amnesty International 2014).
The villages in the Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar districts are located in areas that are difficult to access and are often affected by floods and droughts. The lack of electricity and the prohibitive prices of candles and kerosene lamps mean that it is dark after sunset. After working in the fields, many everyday activities such as small repairs or children's homework cannot be carried out. In addition, darkness also brings with it insecurity. Many criminal attacks take place in the dark, which is why many villagers do not dare to leave their houses alone after sunset.
Women and girls in particular do not feel safe and often avoid going to the toilet or to fetch water in the evenings out of fear. They have few traditional rights in Pakistan and are at particularly high risk of violence and rape due to strict moral principles and strong social discrimination. This is particularly true for young, unmarried women in rural areas. More light and thus visibility is a first step towards giving them and other villagers more freedom of action (DW 2012, Amnesty International 2014).|Pakistan is also considered a fragile state due to the lack of basic state services. Institutions at all levels of government are unable to provide basic services. There is a serious deficit in the energy supply to the rapidly growing population throughout the country. Rural areas are not connected to the public power grid, so the majority of people there have no way of using electrical devices. In addition, the rural population suffers from poverty. 21% of Pakistanis have to get by on less than 1.20 euros a day. The majority of them (approx. 80%) live in rural areas (UNDP 2015, IFAD 2014). The lack of electricity exacerbates poverty, has a negative impact on the already low level of education and restricts people's everyday lives (BMZ 2011).
The remote villages in the Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar provinces are often affected by floods and droughts. Since they are not connected to the electricity grid and candles and kerosene lamps are exorbitantly expensive, it is usually completely dark at sunset. After working in the fields, there is no daylight left for everyday tasks such as small repairs or children's homework. In addition, the lack of light also harbors hidden dangers. Many crimes are committed in the dark, so many people do not dare to leave the house after sunset.
Women and girls in particular are afraid and therefore avoid using outdoor toilets or fetching water after dark. Traditionally, they have few rights in Pakistan and are more vulnerable to violence and rape due to strict moral principles and social discrimination. This is especially true for young unmarried women in rural areas. More light and visibility are a first step towards giving them and other villagers more freedom of action (DW 2012, Amnesty International 2014).
Let there be light! Homework, toilet breaks and more time for the family
