Visit to Punjab
Call on to the Chief Minister, Punjab
The chairperson along with her team met the Chief Minister Punjab on 22nd Sep 2021. The meeting was attended by the Chairperson along with Members from Punjab and Islamabad and Provincial Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Cooperatives.
The Chief Minister was briefed by the Chairperson on the Commission’s priority areas in terms of women protection and women empowerment, development of the strategic plan of NCSW. The Chair also took up and discussed the issue of the appointment of the Provincial Chairperson of CSW in Punjab. The Chief Minister agreed to expedite the process of the appointment of the Chairperson for the purpose of institutional strengthening.
The Chief Minister recommended to the Chairperson that her team should visit the Kot Lakhpat Jail and other support Centers for women and share reports with the Chief Minister. After raising issues on the rising trend on VAW in the province, the Chief Minister agreed to provide full support in women-related legislation and implementation of laws to eliminate all types of violence against women and girls in Punjab.
Call on to the Governor, Punjab
The meeting was attended by the Chairperson along with Members from Punjab and Islamabad and Officers of the Commission.
The Governor was briefed by the Chairperson on the Commission’s priority areas in terms of women protection and women empowerment and the purpose of her visit to Punjab to reach the provincial counterparts to form synergies to fight against this increasing trend in the society to eliminate violence against women which is also a top priority for the Government. The Governor was also briefed on the issue of appointment of the Provincial Chairperson of CSW in Punjab.
The Governor agreed to take up the matter with the concerned. He stressed access through justice for women and girls by providing speedy legal aid or through other legal mechanisms, especially for women and girls victims of rape, sexual assault, and such heinous physical crimes. The Governor also vowed to provide full support to the Commission on the cause of achieving women issues rights.
Meeting with the Speaker, Punjab Assembly
Chairperson along with her team met the Punjab Assembly on 23rd Sep, 2021. The meeting was attended by the Chairperson along with Members from Punjab and Officers of the Commission. The Chairperson was received warmly at the Speaker Office.
The Speaker was briefed by the Chairperson on the Vision and objectives of the Commission in detail. The Speaker was further briefed on the issues of women particularly, the rising trend of violence in the province, on which the Speaker also showed his deep concern on the same issue and said that there is indeed dire need take steps on war footing.
The Chairperson requested for possible support in women related legislation and implementation of laws to eliminate all types of violence against women in the Punjab, on which the Speaker said that such laws exist but there is need to implement strict laws.
The Speaker elaborated that women parliamentarians of Punjab Assembly are playing positive role to ensure women protection and promotion through legislations. He also assured the Chair of his full support to the Commission and would continue to do so in collective effort.
Visit to Kotlakhpat Jail
The chairperson along with her team visited the Kotlakhpat Jail on 22nd Sep 2021, at Lahore.
On arrival, she was received by the Senior Superintendent Jail Mr. Ijaz Asghar. He gave a thorough briefing on various aspects of Jail. He said that currently there are 134 female inmates in Kot Lakhpat Jail, out of which 95 are under trial and 34 are convicts. The most common charges are murder, narcotics, and other related. Inmates have all basic facilities including a lady doctor, lady health visitor, and psychologist available to them. There is a separate hospital for women in the women section. Women inmates also have technical training facilities where they can learn stitching and embroidery.
To monitor the jail facility, the Chairperson along with delegates personally visited the various sections of the facilities. She was briefed that women with children under the age of 6 can live with them in prison. At the moment there are 13 children living in the prison with their mothers. The jail authorities provide special food including milk, eggs, and fruit to these children. There are coolers installed in the wards and a filtered water facility is available to all. There are chillers in the wards as well. All inmates are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
The premises of the jail were found neat and clean. Chairperson also visited the kitchen where food was being cooked and tasted the freshly baked roti, which was of good quality. The Chairperson also discussed women inmate needs with the Superintendent and staff of Kot Lakhpat Jail and explained the role of NCSW for the protection and promotion of women's rights.
Visit Women Police Station
The chairperson along with her team visited Women Police Station on 21st Sep 2021 in Lahore. During her visit to the Women Police Station (WPS), the team was given a round of the WPS. The Chairperson and her team were briefed by the concerned SHO on the working and registration of FIR. Presently, there were 6-women in the lockup of different crimes. Chairperson was informed that this only women Police station in Lahore.
Visit Anti-Harassment Cell, Lahore
The chairperson along with her team visited the Anti-Harassment Cell on 21st Sep, 2021, at Lahore. During the visit, she was briefed by the officers from Punjab Police which included ASP and DSP. She was informed that this cell has been made functional 10 days ago and this is the initiative of Punjab Police Department.
The Chairperson also made a surprise call on the given helpline and was pleasantly surprised by the quick response by the Punjab Police to her complaint. She highly appreciated the efforts of the department and appraised the state of the art facility and its goals and objectives.
Visit Human Rights Crisis Centre for Women
The chairperson along with her team visited the Crisis Centre on 22nd Sep 2021 at Lahore. During the visit, she was briefed by the Manager Crisis Centre and was given a presentation on the Crisis Centre which included history, background, functions and updated situation of the Centre.
The manager explained that it was initially established under the Ministry of Human Rights in 2005 and later on after the enactment of the 18th Amendment, the Centre was given under the control of the Punjab Government and presently under the control of the Social Welfare Department, Government of Punjab. She further mentioned that 25-30 cases are reported to the Centre and the Centre refer these cases to the different facilities/ departments for facilitation and redressals because of lack of such facilities.
Visit Women Chamber of Commerce (WCC) Lahore
Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) along with her team visited the Women Chamber of Commerce on 23rd Sep 2021 at Lahore.
An overwhelming welcome was given to the Chairperson on her arrival at the WCC. She was greeted by the President WCC and her Members. After a round of introduction, a detailed briefing on the issues as well as success stories from the WCC was given by the President and Members. The Chairperson said that it is indeed delightful to listen to such amazing and inspiring success stories from the women of our country and also listen to their progressive views on women's economic empowerment.