KARACHI: Endowment fund planned for detained women
KARACHI, June 1: The Sindh government is to constitute a full-fledged endowment fund for women in detention as per the Sindh Women Development Department’s proposal. Dr Saeeda Malik, Sindh Minister for Women Development talking to APP on Wednesday said a proposal had been forwarded to the chief minister, who had formally approved the same with expected seed money of Rs1.5 to two million.
She said the main focus would be on women jail inmates denied release for want of surety or bail money.
Through the sanctioned amount, expected to be released under the forthcoming budget, national saving certificates would be procured for the purpose. This would be done to prevent loss and use the actual amount as well as profit for the help of women compelled to remain in jail, at times even with children, due to paucity of resources.
She said a governing body would be constituted to ensure that funds were used in an absolutely transparent manner.
To a query about who would head the committee, Dr Saeeda said: “We expect an honourable former judge of the Supreme and High courts, currently working for the legal support of jailed women, as chairperson of the committee.”
Meanwhile, with reference to the first Women Crisis Centre in the province that was made functional only recently at Barrack 49, Sindh Secretariat, Block 4-B, she said it was presently serving as a women complaint cell.
A senior lawyer, Advocate Zeb; a social worker, Uzma; and a manager, Mithan Khadim, remain at the cell along with a lady police official, DSP Ayesha, to provide assistance to women in distress.
DSP Ayesha sees that victims get their FIR lodged, while the lawyer offers them legal aid. Besides, medical support and rehabilitation is ensured by the manager and the social worker.
All those deputed at the centre are paid for their services, the minister informed.
In reply to a question, Dr Saeeda said the need for the crisis centre was felt for quite some time. After much contemplation, it was decided that the facility be made fully operational under the supervision of an NGO Management Committee, comprising 11 NGOs, in close collaboration with the Women Development Department.
The facility, being funded by the federal government, is located at a suitable place, close to the Sindh High Court and other concerned departments, offering women a deep sense of protection. It would have a telephone line linked to both police helpline ‘15’ and 115 – Edhi - during the next phase.
She said a sum of Rs2.2 million had been allocated for the first year by the federal government while the Sindh Women Development Department was arranging for support services including provision of lawyers, social workers, psychiatrists, lady doctors and lady inspectors, and other relevant staff.
The minister also mentioned that linkages were also being developed with shelter homes such as the Darul Amman and Panah to provide temporary shelter to those who may not be in a position to return back to their homes.
“We, in the third phase of the scheme, plan to establish our own shelter homes as well,” she said.—APP
