PESHAWAR, Jan 16: The All Pakistan Women’s Association (Apwa) arranged marriages of five destitute girls, living in Darul Amman, during the last six months.

Musarrat Hilali, vice-chairperson of Apwa and in-charge of Darul Amaan, told Dawn that the Association wanted the homeless girls under its shelter to start their life anew.

Naeema, 18, recently got married to a businessman, and Apwa arranged her marriage within the premises of Darul Amaan. She was living here for the last five years. She fled her parents’ home the night she was being wedded to an old man. She sought help of the local police who send her to Darul Amaan.

Apwa arranged her marriage with Farhad, a businessman of Nowshehra, who sent a proposal for her. Apwa also arranged the dowry.

Ayesha Bukhari, general secretary of Apwa, told Dawn that the Association had opened a dowry fund and people who wanted to help such girls, could contribute to this fund. She said people could also contribute household articles to this fund which could be given in dowry. she said that girls like Naeema, who fought against injustice, needed help because they had no place to go.

Musarrat Hilali said that girls taking shelter in Darul Amaan were provided legal aid if needed. Those girls whose marriage was arranged by Apwa were not only given dowry but also about 50 gram gold, and Rs50,000 was settled as alimony to ensure their security.

Robina who got married six months ago by Apwa was living a normal life. Her husband was a bricklayer. Robina was also one of the five girls whose marriage was arranged by Apwa.