Karachi, April 2, 2026: Sindh is moving to strengthen its response to domestic violence, as persistent gaps in the implementation of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013 continue to leave survivors at risk.
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The issue was highlighted during a Provincial Policy Dialogue organized by the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW) in collaboration with the Legal Aid Society (LAS) under the Aawaz II Programme, supported by CARE International and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The event brought together policymakers, parliamentarians, government officials, civil society members, and representatives of marginalized communities.
Speakers noted that despite the comprehensive legal framework, survivors face multiple barriers, including underreporting, low legal awareness in rural areas, institutional weaknesses, and stigma that prevent access to protection services. Evidence from Aawaz II highlighted weak referral systems and limited survivor-centered support.
A policy paper titled “Implementing the Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013: From Law to Protection” proposed urgent reforms, including legislative amendments, stronger coordination among institutions, improved FIR procedures, better referral systems, capacity-building of justice actors, and increased investment in protection services.
Advocate Maliha Zia of LAS presented a Domestic Violence Protection Blueprint, recommending expanded One-Stop Protection Centres, functional district-level mechanisms, improved policing, and coordinated service delivery.
SCSW Chairperson Rozina Aman Brohi emphasized that the law has not been fully implemented in its intended spirit over the past 13 years, calling for more protection centers, empowered women police stations, increased awareness budgets, and initiatives targeting rural women.
Provincial Minister Shaheen Sher Ali highlighted that legal awareness is not reaching marginalized communities due to the absence of materials in Urdu and Sindhi. She proposed leveraging Lady Health Workers for door-to-door awareness campaigns and stressed that empowering girls is essential to preventing domestic violence.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to strengthen accountability, coordination, and survivor-focused interventions across Sindh.
