The 2002 United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award
In recognition of her outstanding achievements and contribution to the global fight against drug abuse, crime and terrorism. The Award was conferred in Vienna on the 17th of December, 2002
DOST Foundation Pakistan
Dr. Parveen Azam Khan, Founder and Chief Executive of Dost Foundation (Pakistan)) is a medical doctor who has experience that spans five decades. While she has diverse experience of working in the Government Health Department in Pakistan as a general practitioner in medicine and surgery, her most outstanding achievement is the establishment of Dost Foundation (Pakistan) in 1992. Dost Foundation (Pakistan) a not-for-profit NGO based in Peshawar, Pakistan, is recognized nationally and internationally for its specialized services for the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of society, in five thematic areas, namely: drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation; HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support; human rights protection; human resource development and community development. Dost Foundation (Pakistan) reaches out and heals these unfortunate human beings by providing them with services based on their Needs and Rights.
Dr Parveen Azam Khan
'As a school girl I dreamed of being a missionary doctor and caring for suffering humanity. At that time the most wretched of human beings were the lepers; ostracized and shunned by their family, friends and society at large. Condemned to live and die in dire circumstances, denied their dignity and their humanity.
By the time I had completed my studies in medical college, leprosy was curable and lepers were no longer stigmatized and helpless.
It was in 1988 I became aware of a new acute threat to human society, disabling and destroying its very foundations. Due to various socio-political circumstances a relentless wave of drug use engulfed society, mercilessly targeting its most precious resources, namely its youth. Drug use became rampant especially among the poor, the destitute and young people who used drugs as an anaesthetic to cope with the poverty, emotional pain and hopelessness of their lives. The attitude of society was to stigmatize and shun drug users, even more than the lepers, as they blamed them for their condition.
Dost Welfare Foundation (DOST) was born in July 1992 and was the culmination of my dream to provide hope and healing for suffering humanity. The journey "of a thousand miles" which began when I completed school in December 1954, and continues to this day has passed through many phases. All along the way DOST, which means 'friend', has reached out with love and compassion to men, women and children- drug users and their families, prisoners, refugees, persons displaced from their homes in emergencies and war, victims of HIV/AIDS and human rights abuses, and all persons in crises. DOST reaches out with the touch that heals, restoring to them their dignity, their humanity and their lives.'
Dr. Parveen has received the following Awards/ nominations
Dr. Parveen has been awarded the 2002 United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements and contribution to the global fight against drug abuse, crime and terrorism. She was also awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz 2003 by the President of Pakistan for her work of excellence in the field of Public Service in Pakistan." In year 2005 she was nominated for the “Project 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize".
Nobel Peace Prize
Nominated for the "1000 Women Nobel Peace Prize 2005"
Nominated twice for The Prestigious Magsaysay Award.
TESTIMONIALS
"Congratulations for your magnificent work of rehabilitation in a very human detention center - you deserve every body's appreciation and recognition.
BRAVO!!"
Antonio Maria Costa
Executive Director of UN Office on Drugs and Crime (2002-2010)
"We are honoured to partner with DOST in your treatment and rehabilitation efforts and look forward to working with you on approach through the mosques. I congratulate you on the dedication you have shown in this critical field".
Anne W. Patterson
US Ambassador to Pakistan (2007-2010) and former Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
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