Ms. Tanveer Jahan is a prominent figure within the human rights community in Pakistan, actively contributing her expertise and dedication to various forums on professional and voluntary basis. She holds membership in several influential organizations, including the Women Action Forum, Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights, Civil Society Forum, South Asians for Human Rights, Pakistan Human Rights Defenders Network. She Norwegian Human Rights Fund’s Consultant in Pakistan from 2003v to 2015 supporting the work for small community based organizations in Pakistan. She was Equidem Research and Consulting UK consultant in Pakistan in 2022-23. She was Oxford Policy Management lead trainer in “Child Protection Case Management and Referral System” in training the workforce carrying out the responsibilities of child protection officers.
Additionally, Tanveer plays a pivotal role as a member of the advisory committee for the National Commission for Human Rights in Punjab, where her insights and guidance contribute to the advancement of human rights initiatives at the regional level.
Furthermore, she serves as the National Coordinator of the Pakistan Human Rights Defenders Network, demonstrating her commitment to supporting and amplifying the voices of human rights defenders across the country. Through her multifaceted involvement in these diverse platforms, Tanveer continues to champion the cause of human rights and drive positive change within Pakistani society.
Tanveer Jahan has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to democracy, gender equality, and human rights throughout her 35-year career, a journey that began in her student days. She has integrated human rights principles into grassroots community initiatives, empowering and nurturing thousands of activists across Pakistan.
Her work spans a diverse portfolio, advocating for marginalized groups like carpet workers, promoting religious tolerance, and combating gender inequality. Tanveer has led strategic campaigns addressing key issues such as abolishing the death penalty, fighting torture, eradicating child marriage, and tackling violence against women and children.
As an Executive Member of the National Commission on the Status of Women (2013–2015), Tanveer helped shape policies advancing women’s rights and gender equality in Pakistan. She also served as a consultant for the Norwegian Human Rights Fund (2004–2015), developing pioneering programs like the Human Rights Defenders and Women Human Rights Defenders Capacity Building Programs, which significantly strengthened activists’ resilience and impact.
Her work has international reach, including consultancy for the Asia Foundation, where she contributed to an Early Warning System for Conflict Prevention to protect minority rights in Pakistan. She has also been a strong advocate for child rights, developing education programs that provide stakeholders with tools to protect children.
In education, Tanveer designed human rights courses for secondary school students, promoting justice and equality. Her training initiatives, covering human, women’s, and children’s rights, have fostered holistic well-being and positive learning environments for students nationwide.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tanveer launched a Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Program for Women Human Rights Defenders, offering crucial psychological support during the crisis. She has also empowered over 1,000 women in flood-affected communities through her Para Counselling Training Program, building resilience and capacity at the grassroots level.
Tanveer’s training portfolio is extensive, including her work with JICA in 2022, where she developed a module on gender sensitization and prevention of gender-based violence. She led workshops for District Deputy Directors, training them on survivor-centered approaches for supporting GBV survivors. As the lead consultant for OXFAM’s Para Counselling Training of Trainers (TOT) project (2023–2024), she equipped organizations to provide para-counselling support in communities, developing programs to support mental health, manage emotions, and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Since 2003, Tanveer has been instrumental in promoting and protecting human rights defenders. Her research on Human Rights Defenders Organizations’ risks and capacities, along with her efforts to mobilize civil society, led to the establishment of the Pakistan Human Rights Defenders Network, which supports defenders at risk.