A recent report has brought attention to the substandard conditions in women’s shelters across Pakistan. These shelters cater to women between the ages of 14 and 30, a majority of whom are married, with a staggering 92% having entered into marriage before the age of 20. The facilities at these shelters are notably deficient, lacking essential amenities such as internet access, separate counselling rooms and designated visitors’ areas. These shelters are intended to protect and rehabilitate women seeking refuge from unsafe and abusive situations. However, the lack of basic necessities has compelled residents to live in deprivation, which hampers their prospects of successfully assimilating back into mainstream society.
Residents sometimes choose to return to abusive partners or in-laws and other unsafe conditions believing they are more likely to have access to different facilities. This tendency is particularly prevalent among married women with children who prioritise their children’s wellbeing and educational prospects. In this manner, these shelters prove to be counterproductive causing more harm than good. The recent report should act as a wake-up call to concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Status of Women, prompting them to inspect these facilities and equip them with the necessary resources.
Since a substantial number of women and children inhabit these shelters, there is an urgent need to enhance living conditions and guarantee access to psychological and legal support along with vocational training. Women’s shelters have frequently experienced violent attacks due to inadequate safety and security conditions. In addition to fortifying security measures, all administrative and support staff should undergo sensitisation training to ensure that residents are free from any form of insecurity or distress. Despite comprising half of the population, women consistently face deprivation of basic rights and safety. Women should not be compelled to transition from one unsafe environment to another.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2023.
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