Police to establish women, juvenile centres

IGP says new initiative will help address gender-based crimes

LAHORE:

Punjab Police has decided to establish Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centres in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The IG Punjab Aamir Zulfiqar Khan issued the directives after a meeting with a delegation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at the Cetral Police Office (CPO) on Thursday.

The delegation was briefed about the training of staff of Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centre in Gujranwala established with the help of UNODC.

The members also informed Khan that UNODC will assist Master Trainers of Punjab Police and Investigative Officers to equip them with advanced investigative skills.

Khan said the elimination of incidents of violence, harassment and abuse of women and children is among the top priorities of Punjab Police and effective use of modern technology is being ensured along with professionalism to investigate such crimes is being ensured.

“The establishment of Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centre in Gujranwala with the support of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is commendable, which will help in prevention and effective investigation of gender and child related crimes,” he remarked.

The IGP also directed the officers to start work for the establishment of Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centres in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

He said specially trained and expert women and officials have been posted for investigation of gender based and children abuse cases in Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centre of Gujranwala. Moreover, legal assistance, psychosocial support and other modern facilities have also been provided for investigation.

The IGP said the training modules are being upgraded to increase the efficiency of police investigation officers, while modern skills and use of scientific methods are being ensured for effective investigation of crimes related to women and children. The eight-member delegation headed by UNODC Country Head Jeremy Milsom also included the dignitaries from the Royal Embassy of Norway.

During the meeting, the delegation told about training of staff posted in Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centre, Gujranwala.

It was agreed to continue joint projects regarding capacity building.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2023.