Mumkin demands to improve violence against women and girl’s situation

Lahore : Members of Mumkin Alliance for EVAW demand to improve violence against women and girl’s protection, response and prevention system. VAW/G continues to be a severely underreported crime in Pakistan and globally.

Incompetent investigators and inadequate resources are indicate to as the most serious problems facing criminal investigative services in Pakistan. Prevention and response to GBV requires prevention, response (survivor assistance), and coordination.

There is need to develop prevention and response strategies. The Punjab Government has made some visible progress in other legal reforms for the protection of women but detailed policy framework for promised legislation for protection of women survivors of violence has not yet been developed.

The views were shared in Strategic dialogue with stakeholders for strengthen networking with Mumkin Alliance to improve the situation of VAW/G and GBV support services in Punjab.

Mumtaz Mughal, Resident Director Aurat Foundation said that according to AF VAW reports, more than 10,000 reported every year.  According to Punjab Police investigation branch report, 181 women are murder on the name honor killing. VAW/G is still treated as a lesser crime. There’s been an inexcusable lot of silence in make culture about this ongoing tragedy of men’s violence against women and children… we need to break that silence. Now, it is time to go beyond denial and observe speedy, sincere and simple solutions because irrespective of the complexity of the VAW, it is preventable.

Salman Abid Executive Director IDEAS said that VAW/G can prevent through developing a fair and equitable reforming laws, policy and procedures based on international human rights standards. There is need to strengthen links and cooperation between and among state and non-state institutions to ensure survivor’s safety and offender accountability.

Nabeela Shaheen, Advocate said that Criminal justice system could not be seen in isolation as police were a vital part of this system and gaps needed to be filled. Sensitization to deal with human or minority rights issues was completely missing in police.

Irfan Mufti, Deputy Director SAP-PK said that civil society can help government to improve the value and relevance of community-level security initiatives.

Mumkin Alliance for EVAW need to be represented and contribute to policy discussions in order to play an effective role in monitoring the sector’s accountability.

Ume Laila, Executive Director Home Net Pakistan said that Victims of violence not only suffer brutal denials of their personal rights but insult is routinely added to their injury by a callous society. The violence that women and girls suffer from is thus not only physical, but also societal. The cost of psychological is very high. Governments should take up GBV on their priority agenda.

Bushra Khaliq Executive Director WISE said that violence against women is embedded in our cultural practices. Strengthening oversight and monitoring of the justice sector can improve GBV services provided by government. Strong coordination is needed among women rights organizations with GBV service providers.

Muhammad Salman, Director Planning Social welfare shared that Social Welfare is going to revamp the Darul-Amans in Punjab by providing timely, equitable access to justice and effective enforcement of Violence against women protection Act 2016.

Shazia Sarwar, Assistant to I.G. Punjab for Gender Crime said that Punjab police is taking initiatives to improve the police culture. Front desk and women help desk has been set up in police stations. Gender sensitization trainings has been started to build the capacity of police in gender perspective.

Kishwar Shaheen Awan, Provincial Commissioner, National Commission on Human Rights said registration has been started to equip defenders with the knowledge and skills to make strategic use of the international human rights system.

Commission has started to review the laws in lines of human rights. 181 complaint has been addressed. He stressed that Education is key in ending abuse.

NCHR has been started work on revision of curriculum with human and women rights lens.

Lubna Mansoor, Director Human Rights said that Women in Distress and Detention fund has been reviewed. The objects of this Fund are to provide financial and legal assistance to the women languishing in jails on account of different allegations and those who face extreme hardships. Now, Survivors of VAW can get financial help through it.

Alia Khan, Manager PCSW shared that The Punjab Women’s Toll-Free Helpline 1043 is available 24/7 to register the complaint about Workplace harassment, Gender discrimination, Property disputes and inheritance rights, Domestic violence, and other.

She said that by Introducing legislative and enforcement mechanisms to promote and protect human rights and to overcome barriers confronting marginalized and vulnerable groups.

The event was well attended by Mumkin Alliance members NGOs, UN organizations, Media persons, Aurat foundation, ASR Resource Center, SAP-PK, Home Net Pakistan, IDEAS, Simorgh, MDM, Bedari, HRCP, WISE, WWHL, WWO, Ittehad foundation, Sarsabz foundation, NCJP, CSJ and others.