The Deputy Development Director for the UK in Pakistan at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Ms. Henrietta Hamilton, visited the newly launched Women Protection Center supported by FCDO and UNFPA Pakistan. During her visit she met with Ms. Kalsoom Saqib, Director General of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, to review services at the center and discuss collaborative efforts under the AAWAZ II Programme to strengthen protection and justice for survivors of violence.
Ms. Hamilton toured the Women Protection Center to see firsthand the facilities and services established with support from the FCDO and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan. The center is designed to provide immediate assistance, protection and referrals for women and girls who have experienced violence, bringing together social, medical and legal support in one location.
In a meeting with Ms. Kalsoom Saqib, discussions focused on the implementation of interventions under the AAWAZ II Programme. The talks emphasized measures to reinforce protection systems, improve survivor-centered service delivery, and enhance mechanisms that ensure survivors can access justice and accountability.
Officials highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts between government bodies and international partners to scale up services and strengthen institutional response to gender-based violence. The partnership aims to build capacity at local and provincial levels so that survivors receive timely, effective support and legal recourse.
The visit underlined continued commitment from the FCDO and UNFPA Pakistan to support the Punjab Women Protection Authority’s work and to expand initiatives that protect vulnerable women and girls, improve their access to services, and promote lasting systemic change.
