SHRC holds training programme for judges’ capacity building in women protection cases

Participants of a training programme for district judges highlighted the need for ensuring the protection of women and girls in the light of the Article 9A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

The training was conducted to protect the rights and welfare of women and girls, particularly those impacted by the climate crisis in Sindh. The one-day event, organised by the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in collaboration with the Sindh Judicial Academy, sought to enhance the capacity of 29 district-level judges, including civil judges, judicial magistrates and additional district and sessions judges, in understanding women protection laws and addressing the challenges faced due to climate-induced displacement and poverty.

SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Ahmed Detho stressed the intersection of climate change, and gender-based violence (GBV). He reviewed key legal frameworks, including the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 & Rules 2016, Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2004 that criminalised honuor killings and Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in the name or pretext of Honour) Act 2016 that closed the loopholes due to which offenders escaped the criminal justice system.

He stated that the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act of 2011 had been enacted to eliminate violence against women which occurred due to discriminatory practices, most particularly their inclusion from the property.

Barrister Rida Tahir highlighted the increasing instances of domestic violence among communities affected by the climate crisis, stressing the need for focused efforts to address and support victims of such violence, which often intensified due to displacement and economic instability. She highlighted the protections provided to vulnerable individuals under the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013 and Rules 2016.