Gender-based violence: Sindh govt launches one-stop protection centre for women survivors

HYDERABAD: The Sindh government has inaugurated a One-Stop Protection Centre (OSPC) in Hyderabad to provide comprehensive support to women survivors of gender-based violence. The centre, located at the Women Police Station, Auto Bhan Road, was launched by Additional Chief Secretary Home Department, Mohammad Iqbal Memon.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department, Mohammad Iqbal Memon, said, “The Sindh government has been consistently working to address the rising cases of gender-based violence in the province. The OSPC is a significant step towards providing a safe and supportive environment for women survivors of violence, and ensuring that they receive justice and support without fear or intimidation.

He said that the centre will provide medical, psychological, and social services to women survivors of violence and harassment, and will offer a one-stop solution for women to report cases of violence and harassment, and receive support and services under one window.

Provincial Minister for Women’s Development, Shaheena Sher Ali on the occasion said, “The OSPC is a testament to the Sindh government’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls. We are proud to launch this initiative, which will provide comprehensive support to women survivors of violence and harassment. Women survivors of violence will now have access to a safe and supportive environment, where they can receive medical, psychological, and social services, and report cases of violence and harassment without any fear or intimidation.”

DIGP Crime Investigation, Amir Farooq said, “The Sindh Police has been working tirelessly to address the rising cases of gender-based violence in the province. The OSPC is a significant step towards providing a safe and supportive environment for women survivors of violence, and ensuring that they receive justice and support from this centre. The centre will provide a one-stop solution for women to report cases of violence and harassment, and receive support and services.”

Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad, Zainul Abideen Memon, said, “The launch of the OSPC is a significant step towards addressing the rising cases of gender-based violence in Hyderabad. The centre will provide comprehensive support to women which are victim of violence and harassment, and will offer a safe and supportive environment for women to report cases of violence and harassment, and receive support.”

Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Muqaddar Shah, said the OSPC is a collaborative effort between the Sindh government, Sindh Police, and international organizations. The centre will provide extensive support to women survivors of gender based violence and harassment, and will offer a one-window solution for women to report cases of violence and harassment, and receive support like medical, psychological and social services will be provided to womens victim of gender based violence and harassment.

The launch of the OSPC is a significant step towards addressing the rising cases of gender-based violence in Sindh. The centre is expected to provide support to women that are affected by violence and harassment, and ensure that they receive justice and support without fear or intimidation.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024