Police Women Community Network Meeting Organized by Aurat Foundation Emphasizes Promotion of Gender Equality and Gender-Sensitive Justice in Balochistan
A meeting of the Police Women Community Network was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta under the auspices of the Aurat Foundation, with the support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the German Embassy. The meeting was organized under the theme “Strengthening Gender-Sensitive Justice through the Promotion of Gender Equality in Balochistan.”
Participants included Aurat Foundation Project Coordinator Yasmeen Mughal, UN Women Technical Expert Dawood Nangyal, M&E Officer Faryal Ahmed, Advocate Fatima Jahanzaib, In-charge of the Police Women Facilitation Center Abshey Basharat, as well as representatives from civil society, the police, and other relevant sectors.
During the meeting, a detailed framework was developed regarding the formation of the Police Women Community Network, its roles, identification of members, and allocation of responsibilities. Participants also discussed awareness-raising for women affected by gender-based violence, referral mechanisms, and effectively linking communities with the police and other service-providing institutions.
On this occasion, participants were briefed on the work and role of the Aurat Foundation and its ongoing initiatives to protect women’s rights, promote gender equality, and ensure women’s access to justice in the province. It was shared that the Aurat Foundation has been actively working for several decades to advance gender justice through advocacy for women’s rights, legislation, policy development, and community-level awareness.
Representatives of UN Women highlighted the organization’s role in promoting gender equality, providing a safe environment for women, and establishing a gender-sensitive justice system. Participants were informed that this project would play a significant role in protecting women and girls in Balochistan from violence, improving access to services, and strengthening institutional linkages.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants reaffirmed their commitment to promoting gender-sensitive justice through close collaboration among the police, communities, and civil society, and to ensuring a safe and dignified environment for women.
Participants were also informed that the primary objective of establishing a Gender Unit within the Balochistan Police is to promote gender sensitivity within the policing system and to ensure effective prevention of crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Through this unit, survivors of gender-based violence, domestic violence, harassment, and sexual crimes can be provided access to justice in a safe, dignified, and friendly environment.
