Strengthening Women’s Protection and Rape Prevention Measures Imperative: Barrister Danyal Chaudhry

BY: Hurish Shah :

ISLAMABAD– The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights reviewed the performance of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), measures for women’s protection, rape prevention, and the implementation of previous recommendations during its 13th meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Asiya Naz Tanoli, with Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry serving as co-chair.
The committee was informed that the NCSW’s complaint management system is operational, the National Gender Data Portal is being updated regularly, and the first Gender Parity Report has been published. It was also briefed that journalists have received training on responsible reporting of rape and gender-based violence cases.
The Ministry of Human Rights informed the committee that women and child protection units and special investigation teams have been strengthened to improve support for victims of gender-based violence.
Speaking on the occasion, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry stressed the need to enhance women’s protection and rape prevention measures through public awareness and clear legal definitions of harassment. He also called for wider publicity of the Ministry of Human Rights’ 1099 helpline and the 1121 child helpline.
Committee member Shahida Rahmani proposed presenting a rape case as a case study for policy recommendations, while the Human Rights Secretary suggested examining the feasibility of introducing a fee-free trial system for rape victims in Pakistan.