First women anti-harassment cell set up in Lahore, Pakistan!

After the harassment of a woman at the Greater Iqbal Park on August 14, the Lahore police have decided to set up its first “women anti-harassment and violence cell”. This cell will ensure the speedy registration of future cases and investigations of violence against women. 

The staff will consist of female staff rather than male staff, who will have important responsibilities. They will be deputed as the victim support officer who will offer the necessary legal and moral support to the aggrieved women inside, ranging from registration of medical reports, investigation processes, or hearings of cases.

The anti-harassment and violence cell will have many facilities, such as a monitoring desk, victim feedback and assistance desk, victim support desk and an investigation and prosecution desk. The aim of the cell is to ensure prompt support and redress of grievances to the women affected by way of timely registration of cases and investigations of the crimes committed against them. 

Six other gender crime cells established by the Lahore police will be linked with the anti-harassment and violence cell, together monitoring all cases, surveilling habitual criminals, and mapping hotspot areas in crimes of harassment and violence against women (Dawn, 2021). 

Opening of the anti-harassment and violence cell. Photo source: UrduPoint https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/first-anti-harassment-violence-cell-inaug-1350894.html. 

Dawn (2021, September 14) “Women anti-harassment cell in city” https://www.dawn.com/news/1646383/women-anti-harassment-cell-in-city.