The Lahore High Court has issued comprehensive directives to the Punjab government to enhance the conditions of Women Shelter Homes (Dar-ul-Aman) across the province. These measures include the removal of male staff from such facilities, the creation of a centralized monitoring database, and the installation of CCTV cameras to ensure better oversight and security.
These instructions were issued in response to a petition filed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and other organizations, which raised concerns about insufficient protective measures for women and girls in these shelters and the inadequate enforcement of the Child Protection Act and women’s rights.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh issued a detailed 36-page judgment after hearing arguments from both parties. The court instructed the Punjab government to draft and implement rules under the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016, within six months. These rules are intended to regulate all shelter homes, protective centers, and child protection institutions, ensuring standardized operations and care.
The court also mandated the establishment of women protection committees in every district and called for extensive training programs for staff working in the protection system, including district women protection officers. Furthermore, each District and Sessions Judge is required to inspect relevant Dar-ul-Aman facilities at least once every two months to monitor compliance.
To facilitate the economic empowerment of women residing in these shelters, the court directed the provision of vocational training programs. Additionally, the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau has been tasked with formulating regulations for child protection institutions, ensuring their proper registration, and setting up child protection units at both tehsil and district levels.
In an effort to promote transparency, the court ordered the creation of a dedicated website where detailed information about Dar-ul-Aman and other shelter homes would be publicly accessible.
The court’s ruling noted that existing Dar-ul-Aman and Dar-ul-Falah facilities were established under the Punjab Rules of Business 2011 and are managed by the Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal Department. However, concerns were raised about the unclear legal framework surrounding the crisis centers set up by the federal Women Development Department. The judgment emphasized that, under the Women Protection Act 2016, each district in Punjab is required to have operational shelter homes. Currently, only Multan has a fully functional facility, highlighting a significant gap in implementation.
Get the latest news and stories wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.