Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)

STEP is a cross disability organization working since 1997, the leading organization has actively worked towards advancing persons with disabilities human rights. STEP is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation and hold consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

STEP fosters disability movements in Pakistan to influence laws, policies and practices at the local, national, regional and international levels. We develop capacities, produce and disseminate disability awareness, conduct advocacy and foster networks and spaces for movement building to claim and strengthen human rights.

STEP lobbies a number of UN mechanisms and bodies based first and foremost on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in order to advance and promote the human rights standards of the Convention and mainstream them in their work. In addition, STEP supports national Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations in their advocacy efforts addressing disability in Health, Education, Employment, Humanitarian Response, Electoral Reforms, Research & Data Analysis, Public-Private Partnerships etc.

STEP particularly empowers women with disabilities in Pakistan to use law as an instrument of change for equality. STEP believe that advances in women with disabilities’ human rights are achieved and sustained when autonomous movements exist and have an enabling environment to work. To achieve lasting and sustainable change, engaged with women with disabilities themselves, both at the grassroots and policy making levels, to bring a feminist approach and perspective to their advocacy. By adopting the twin-track approach to strengthening disability inclusion across wider GBV prevention and response efforts in Pakistan:

STEP advocating to Eliminate all discriminatory laws and polices, particularly on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression; Eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, guarantee access to comprehensive services for survivors of violence, and end impunity; Achieve parity between women and men in decision-making at all levels, including in local and national governments; at the same time building the technical capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to deliver GBV awareness raising and information on services, as well as psychosocial support and referral to GBV services for women with disabilities. Including on financial process, human resource process, monitoring and evaluation, and the establishment of policies on the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH).