Women's Action Forum, activists protest outside Peshawar Press Club in support of Punjab's women protection act. The act was slammed by religious parties and clerics, who are pushing to water down the law.STOCK IMAGE
LAHORE: The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) and the Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Department (SWD) on Thursday signed an MoU to provide a transitional housing facility to the victims of domestic violence.
Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, chairperson, Fauzia Viqar said objective of the collaboration is to provide the victims of domestic violence with safe housing, financial and vocational support and employment opportunities to help them become self-reliant. She revealed this while addressing a press conference at the Directorate General Public Relations, Lahore.
Terming the gender-based violence a widespread curse in society, she said domestic violence was the most serious and pervasive form of discrimination.
Through the Transitional Housing Project, the Punjab government is providing women a space where women feel valued and respected so that they could regain their confidence, Fauzia said. She also pointed out that the government would support social and economic re-integration of women in society.
On the occasion, Social Welfare, Director General, Waheed Ansari said the initiative would provide a suitable model for replicating in other women’s rehabilitation homes across the province.
He reiterated such projects would enable women to take an active part in Punjab’s economy.
PCSW and SWD have joined hands for the establishment of transitional housing for women victims of violence in the premises of Darul Falah in Social Welfare Complex Township, Lahore.
The project will utilise available trainings for women empowerment. PCSW will organise trainings for legal education, confidence building, skills development, computer literacy and life skills development. Women will also be provided with employment referrals, psychological counselling, counselling in life planning and ancillary support such as childcare and child development programs etc.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2017.
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