Sindh Minister for Women Development (WDD) Shehla Raza urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to aid in resolving various issues faced by women. Addressing certificate distribution ceremony of 16 days of activism and awareness campaign regarding celebrations of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women organised by Wonder Women Association of Pakistan to recognise participants of campaign, minister said that a woman protection cell had been established in her office to redress grievances being faced by women. Minister Shehla Raza said that the women protection cell received complaints from women around the clock on a toll free number. She said that 28 out of 58 different complaints had been resolved while 30 were currently being processed. Minister said that practical steps were being taken to make strong and empower women in Sindh . The minister said that NGOs should not just provide legal support but also engage women to spread awareness regarding reproductive health and harms of early marriages. She asked NGOs to come forward on one platform and fight against lack of awareness and illiteracy. She extended her full cooperation to NGOs to sit together in her office and decide what to do for betterment of women. Shehla Raza announced that a Women Complex was being established in Sukkur to facilitate women in conducting various activities collectively. She also invited NGOs to hold activities, events and workshops in the complex which she said would be inaugurated very soon. “The complex will house women hostel, complaint cell, day care centre, crises centre, vocational institute and a gymnasium,” she said. She appreciated efforts of all NGOs’ representatives and lauded contributions of Asma Shah and Dr Shah, Sarim Burney, Dureshawar, Zia Awan in their women protection cell. “We have 12 cells in the districts and two shelter homes are being run by Sarim Burney,” she remarked. Around 56 multi task activities were held at Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta and Badin for women rights, early child marriage, career counseling, awareness about breast disease to girl students, domestic violence against women and legal assistance. The theme of 16 days activism was ‘Safe Woman Strong Society’ which was inaugurated by Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani. Many accords with NGOS were also signed to support, provide legal assistance and career counselling to needy and poor women in Sindh. Published in Daily Times, December 12th 2018.