The Civil Services Academy (CSA), in collaboration with the Pakistan PSEA Network Community and under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, successfully concluded a two-day national workshop titled “PSEA as a leadership responsibility”, on Friday.
The workshop was attended by over 80 participants, including representatives from the judiciary, government departments, academic institutions, private sector, as well as the Civil Services Academy (CSA) faculty and trainee officers. The workshop aimed to strengthen understanding and implementation of the core standards related to ‘Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)’.
The participants received advanced training on UN core PSEA principles, including survivor-centered approaches, case handling procedures, and institutional compliance frameworks. The session addressed the pressing issue of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) within professional and institutional environments.
The workshop also provided a platform for dialogue among legal, administrative and academic professionals on improving institutional responses and accountability frameworks. Discussions focused on integrating the PSEA principles into internal codes of conduct, policies and training curricula, particularly within public sector and educational institutions.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, recent data shared by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment revealed that over 6,500 workplace harassment cases were registered between 2018 and 2023. Alarmingly, more than 20 per cent of such cases in 2023 were reported at educational institutions.
Speaking at the session, Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) Director General (DG) Kulsoom Saqib outlined the Authority’s key objectives and latest initiatives aimed at empowering and safeguarding women in Punjab. “Women deserve not only safety but also access to justice, mental health support, and education,” she said.
The DG said modern Women Protection Centres have been established in various cities including Lahore. These centers offer immediate legal assistance, psychological counseling, and police protection, all under one roof. She said PWPA helpline 1737 operates round-the-clock, added that the helpline is being recognised as a vital tool in the province’s women safety infrastructure. She said that in collaboration with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, digital solutions like the Women Safety App and a virtual women police station have been launched. Kulsoom added that on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a dedicated Women Police Squad has been formed. The unit will patrol markets and public spaces to prevent harassment and ensure a safe environment for women and children. The DG emphasised that these measures are not just about protection, but about empowering women to live with dignity and confidence.
Advisor for Inspection and Monitoring at the Punjab Ombudsman Office, Arif Anwar Baloch, said that the Punjab Ombudsman only has jurisdiction over government institutions and does not intervene in matters concerning private organisations.