Integrated measures planned for protection and empowerment of women

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A meeting of focal persons from various government departments was held under the auspices of the District Committee for the Status of Women (DCSW), Dera Ismail Khan, to discuss coordinated measures for the rights, protection, legal assistance, health, mental well-being and support services available to women and girls. The meeting was chaired by DCSW Chairperson Dera Ismail Khan, Humaira Nawaz

The meeting reviewed comprehensive and joint initiatives aimed at educating women and female students about their legal rights, procedures for seeking legal assistance, protection against harassment, police support, healthcare, mental well-being and institutional support services.

Addressing the meeting, DCSW Chairperson Humaira Nawaz said that educating women and girls about their legal rights, available protection mechanisms and support services was an urgent need of the time. She said organized and coordinated awareness programmes at educational institutions and community level could help women understand their rights and guide them on how to approach the relevant institutions whenever necessary.

Participants held detailed discussions on creating awareness among women and girls regarding harassment and other protection-related issues, health, relevant laws and legal procedures, mental health, police procedures and available support mechanisms. Emphasis was also placed on engaging qualified health professionals to create awareness about mental stress, anxiety and depression, while the role of the Health Department in addressing women’s healthcare concerns was also highlighted.

The participants stressed the need to provide women and female students with practical information about police procedures, registration of FIRs, complaint mechanisms and assistance available through the police, enabling them to seek timely and appropriate legal support in case of any untoward incident.

The purpose, services and procedure for accessing the Bolo Helpline were also discussed, with participants emphasizing that awareness of available helplines and support systems could play an important role in enabling women and girls to obtain timely assistance during difficult circumstances.

Special emphasis was also placed on awareness regarding the Nikahnama. The meeting highlighted the importance of educating women and girls, before and at the time of marriage, about the conditions mentioned in the Nikahnama, their rights and relevant legal matters so that they remain fully aware of their legal rights and responsibilities.

It was decided that special awareness seminars would be organized at various colleges across Dera Ismail Khan to educate female students about women’s rights, protection against harassment, legal recourse, health, mental well-being and available support services. Relevant government departments will participate as resource partners according to the subject of each programme.

The Police Department will be requested to conduct special awareness sessions on police procedures, FIR registration, complaint mechanisms and support available to women and girls. Similarly, the Health Department will arrange awareness sessions on important women’s health issues, with relevant doctors and focal persons participating as resource persons.

It was further decided to organize dedicated awareness sessions on the purpose and services of the Bolo Helpline and the procedure for seeking assistance. Awareness sessions regarding the Nikahnama, its conditions and women’s legal rights will also be conducted.

The meeting concluded with a decision that focal persons of all relevant departments would strengthen coordination between their respective departments and the District Committee for the Status of Women to make ongoing initiatives for the protection, rights, health, legal assistance and empowerment of women and girls more organized and effective.