Multan’s VAWC on brink of closure

At least 1,400 women requested help but action was taken only in 22 cases

MULTAN: The Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC) in Multan is on the verge of closure as it failed to protect women, who are the victims of persecution, due to lack of facilities and misuse of authority by officials concerned of the department.

The VAWC was launched on March 25, 2017, but it failed to function in a proper manner and address grievances of the victims. Even nine months after establishment of the centre, the authorities concerned could not appoint focal members in the department.

The centre was established with an aim to improve the criminal justice system in the country. The centre is also responsible for collection of forensic and other evidence, besides offering mental health and counseling services, and post-trauma rehabilitation under one roof, to increase complainants’ access to justice.

The prime objective of the VAWC is streamlining speedy justice delivery process for women and all services to women, including first aid, FIR lodging, prosecution, medical examination, forensics and post-trauma rehabilitation. Besides, free legal services are also provided to the victims. The VAWC system also includes measures to prevent data forgery and tampering.

Earlier after the centre was established, the provincial government appointed an SHO to deal with the cases but he was suspended within months after taking charge of his duties.

Similarly, a prosecutor, judge and other team members could not be appointed due to different hurdles.

A court room was also established in VAWC but the appointment of a female judge is still awaited.

To make matters worse, the centre is equipped with poor internet facility while there is no shelter home to house women on permanent basis. However, temporary residence is provided to the affected women.

Statistics reveal that during nine months, at least 1,400 women requested for help but action was taken only in 22 cases in which FIRs were registered. Besides, 13 women got divorce due to forceful resolution of disputes.

Ina addition, five women sent applications to court for help through VAWC but their issues could not be resolved as a result of poor working conditions at the centre. The VAWC has been tasked to deal with different cases, including violence against children and women, property issues, kidnapping, murder and others but the unavailability of satellite system and delay in taking action against the accused has raised question marks on its performance.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, VAWC Multan Manager Sana Javaid said, “We have set a target to help at least 1,200 women in a year while we have received 1,400 cases of different nature.” She added, “The shelter home would be established next year.”

She claimed that the centre’s performance is satisfactory.

The backdrop

The Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC) was established in Multan as part of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence (PPWAV) Act enacted in Punjab Assembly in early 2016. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the newly-built centre to protect women’s rights.

The models of such centers are available in United States, United Kingdom, Greece and some European countries under the title of Women’s Crisis Centre. The University of Chicago Law School’s International Human Rights Law Clinic has helped to prepare the first draft of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Women Protection Act.

Earlier officials said the PPWAV Act and the establishment of the VAWC aim to protect women from physical, emotional and psychological abuse, and promote gender equality.

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) also developed a complaint management system, database to assist the centre. The system was designed to record all complaints and automating the process of providing information and receiving relevant assistance from the departments concerned, including the police, forensics, medico-legal, law, social welfare and prosecution.

Rebuttal

Meanwhile, VAWC issued a rebuttal, stating that a male SHO was never appointed, saying the institute always appointed females to work as their staff.

On the reported failure of the institution to to appoint prosecutors and judges, VAWC said it has dedicated and trained staff serving it. The statement also denied that there were any parallels with other women crisis institutions, saying it was one of its kind as it housed all departments under one roof.

The statement added that 26 and not 24 FIRs had been registered, opposed to what had been stated in the story.

It also said that the Strategic Reforms Unit (SRU) had developed an in-house complaint management software to be used in the institution and that it was not developed by the PITB.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2018.