Quetta, Monday, December 4, 2023: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and
UN Women, on launched “More than Shelters, Needs Assessment of Dar ul Amans & Shelters in
Pakistan” – a comprehensive report on the state of women’s shelters, Dar ul Amans, in Pakistan.
The report is based on extensive on-site research, comprehensive inspections, and in-depth
interviews with residents of the shelters. It focuses on identifying gaps in policies,
implementation, and budgets, providing actionable recommendations for strengthening these
essential services.
The launch event was organized as part of the activities to commemorate ‘16 Days of Activism
against Gender-based Violence’ aligning with the 2023 theme ‘Invest to Prevent Violence
against Women and Girls.’ The report launch was aimed at initiating a collective effort towards
enhancing the quality and effectiveness of women’s shelters and was attended by
representatives of governmental bodies, civil society, women’s groups, and the international
community.
In-depth interviews with residents of Dar-ul-Amans revealed, that the largest group (70
percent) comprised girls and young women aged 14-30 years and most of the residents were
illiterate and married with 92 percent married before they reached 20 years of age. Almost all
had faced multiple forms of violence including physical, psychological, sexual, and financial
abuse.
Physical inspections of Dar-ul-Amans across all provinces revealed that the external
environment of these shelters was not found to be satisfactory whereas the condition of
interior spaces was also generally inadequate, and there were no visitors’ rooms, separate
counselling rooms, or libraries in certain shelters. Internet facilities and Psychologists were not
available at all shelters.
In addition to that, there was no systematic complaint-handling mechanism or rehabilitation
program in the shelters, and vocational training was widely felt to be outdated. These facilities
were generally not fully equipped to meet the needs of residents’ children. Besides that, the
positions of medical officer, psychologist, assistant, and computer operator were vacant in four
shelters.
The report makes numerous legislative and policy recommendations. It suggests revised SOPs
for all shelters, based on the specific provincial context/requirements and strong monitoring
mechanisms for the implementation of provincial domestic violence laws. The report also calls
for a review and increase in budgetary allocations for these facilities and inclusive and women-
friendly shelter infrastructure. It also stresses assuring a homely atmosphere and accessibility
for violence survivors. It suggests a dedicated helpline at the provincial level and a complaint-
handling mechanism in place for the support to survivors.
Speaking on this occasion, Federal Minister for Human Rights Khalil George said that women’s
shelters are an essential component of a comprehensive response to violence against women.
“The NCHR report on Dar ul Amans has revealed some very urgent issues. The availability and
accessibility of women’s shelters is an urgent matter,” he added while stressing collaborative
efforts to address these issues.
Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha said that Dar ul Amans provide essential aspects of
protection, services, and resources that enable women and their children to recover
from the violence, rebuild self-esteem, and take steps to regain a self-determined and
independent life. “However, in Pakistan, the conditions of these facilities leave much to be
desired, as the first-hand experiences of survivors obtained through this study indicate,” she
said.
Country Representative for UN Women in Pakistan Sharmeela Rassool highlighted the
role of UN Women in strengthening essential services for survivors specially shelters and
said,” This report not only sheds light on the challenges but also presents a roadmap for
tangible improvements. UN Women is poised to drive positive change, advocating for the rights
and well-being of women in shelters and contributing to a society where every woman can seek
refuge, rebuild her life, and flourish.” She expressed hope that the report would serve as a
valuable resource in advocating for meaningful reforms and a robust system that
prioritizes the safety and well-being of survivors within shelters.
