Seminar puts under focus problems of GBV survivors

PESHAWAR: The participants of a seminar arranged by Khwendo Kor, a women rights organsiation, put under focus the problems faced by the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors and suggested the remedial steps.

The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW).

The participants dwelt at length on gender development challenges faced by survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), implementation of pro-women laws, delays in finalising and presenting KP Domestic Violence Bill in the provincial assembly, KP Police Act 2017 and challenges to women police.

Members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, government departments officials, civil society organisations representatives and the University of Peshawar students attended the event.

Sobia Iram from Khwendo Kor (sisters home) and Sabahat Mushtaq from Noor Education Trust (NET) shared problems faced by the GBV survivors.

The said these included lack of awareness, lack of facilitation, medico-legal and other services, absence of support structure, cumbersome court procedure, want of legislation and non-implementation of the existing laws. The speakers called for the implementation of the existing laws and going for new ones to protect women against violence.

The PCSW member Ms Rubina shared the updates on the Domestic Violence Bill. She said it was important to work together to eradicate the GBV and violation of women rights.

Social Welfare Department Assistant Director Jamal Shah said Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) had been developed by his department to improve the functioning and performance of the women crises centers and Darul Aman. He promised these would be notified soon.

Member of Provincial Assembly Rashida Riffat shared the updates on Domestic Violence Bill. She hoped the bill would be passed from assembly during the tenure of the present government.

Khwendo Kor Director Programmes Gullalai suggested to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Salahuddin Mahsud to take necessary actions to facilitate and improve performance of the women police.

Gullalai suggested amendments to the women police’s recruitment policy so that matriculated and intermediate passed women could qualify the test easily.

The speaker pointed out that there were Women Desks in a few police stations. These need to be established at every police station of province so that women complainants could be facilitated effectively, she elaborated.

The seminar provided a good opportunity to the organisers to highlight the KP Police Act 2017 and challenges to women police.