Daily Times

Police as the first respondent has a pivotal role in combating violence against women which can be reduced through effective use of existing support mechanisms, observed police officials, legal experts and other civil society representatives at a consultative meeting organized by Legal Rights Forum under the umbrella of Pakistan Forum for Democratic Policing here at the PMA House.

While addressing the seminar titled ‘Role of Police in Combating Violence against Women and Support Mechanisms’, the speakers said women and girls have been facing violence and discriminatory behaviors even at their homes while discrimination at the state and society level has added to their miseries.

They said in every 3rd household women face various type of violence and less attention is paid on psychological violence, which affects badly the efficiency of women.

Former Inspector of Police Niaz Ahmed Siddiqui said structural change in police is crucial and he had been assisting department through trainings and other interventions as to create greater impact.

He said women have great potential and they will be given opportunities for change in the police department. Women police officers should be empowered and given key posts which will reduce violence against women.

Senior Superintendent of Police East Karachi Captain (R) Azfar Mahesar said women had been facing discrimination and violence by the close relatives in most of the cases. He said we need to change the mindset and include more Human Rights related material in police training curriculum as to sensitise police officers.

SSP told that police department has been recruiting directly BPS 16 grade Inspectors with Law background as to mitigate legal and other procedural issues to minimize human rights issues. He said over 1000 Inspectors will be hired in the department and they will conduct training and sensitise officials on news laws particularly women friendly laws.

Mahesar told he had appointed first female as station house officer in Khairpur district as to challenge the stereotyping and resistance came in this regard but kept doing the same practice as to change the mindset.

He said police department established women and children protection cell at regional level and women police officers were dealing with survivors as we need to give privacy with rights to women for empowerment.

Inspector Khurram Awan, focal person for South Zone said survivor women can easily share their issues with females therefore women police officers had been designated to redress the issues.

He suggested establishing female help desks at each police station level as to support survivors of gender based violence.

Mahnaz Rehman of Aurat Foundation said everywhere women face violence and discriminatory behaviors but due to continued struggle women now had been challenging the stereotyping and resisting for rights.

She said though there were some good laws but lack of awareness and implementation women were unable to get benefits of those friendly laws.

LRF’s executive director Malik Tahir Iqbal, Shariq Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Fouzia Tariq and others said women were resisting discriminatory practices, resulting in a better change but we need to continue advocating for rights at all level.

They said suggested that VAW can be decreased through close coordination of police and citizens with mass level behaviour change campaigns through media and other sources.

Published in Daily Times, February 14^th 2019.