Special courts demanded to address gender-based violence cases

PESHAWAR: KP Parliamentary Women Caucus has proposed the creation of the special courts in the province to take up the gender-based violence cases.

The suggestion was made along with other proposals during the caucus committee members consultative meeting with Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra on Wednesday, said an official handout. The meeting was organised by a non-governmental organization, Omer Asghar Foundation as part of the gender equality budget consultations.

Chairperson, Women Parliamentary Caucus Dr. Sumaira Shams, Senior Vice-President Madiha Nisar, Members Provincial Assembly Naeema Kishwar, Asiya Khattak, Sajida Hanif, Shagufta Malik Basirat Khan, Chairperson, KP Commission on Status of Women Rifat Sardar, Omar Asghar Khan Foundation Executive Director Rashida Dohad and other relevant officials. The purpose was to have a consultation on various proposals for the KP budget of the next financial year.

The Finance and Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra said the budget for the next financial year included different allocations for women empowerment and other issues. The minister said the National Command and Operation Centre would be approached to come up with a way to vaccinate women against Covid-19 who do not have computerized national identity cards.

About education, he stated that in budget education costs Rs200 billion of which about half was intended for girls. Parliamentary Women Caucus committee Chairperson Dr Sumaira Shams suggested that the budget for women should be allocated according to the Sustainable Development Goals so that it is used properly and utilized at the international level.

Taimur Saleem Jhagra agreed to the proposal and said the goals would be mentioned in the budget.

He assured that the government would allocate substantial funds for the implementation of other laws specific to women, including the Domestic Violence Prevention Bill. The minister added that the government would also appoint district security committees and provide them with technical assistance.