LAHORE: The Gujranwala police have inaugurated the Women’s Enclave, a pioneering general reporting center designed to assist women in lodging complaints across various state-run institutions, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in addition to police-related issues.
Located in Satellite Town, this center is uniquely staffed entirely by female police personnel, ensuring that no male staff or visitors are allowed entry, thus creating a secure environment for women to report sensitive issues.
The Women’s Enclave offers a log-in facility for three key departments—the FIA, Social Welfare Department, and the Women Ombudsperson Punjab—via a specialized app, allowing for priority handling of complaints. Additionally, the center provides legal assistance through leading women lawyers to help victims reclaim dowry articles and inherited properties.
An official stated that the facility was established in response to the increasing number of violence against women cases and the discomfort many women feel in male-dominated police stations. This initiative aims to offer a more supportive environment for women to address issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence.
Reports indicate that between 400 to 500 women visit police stations monthly to file complaints related to domestic violence, sexual assault, workplace harassment, and property and dowry disputes.
Gujranwala City Police Officer (CPO) Rana Ayyaz Saleem has coordinated with relevant departments, including the FIA, Social Welfare Department, and the Punjab Women Ombudsperson, to address these issues outside the traditional police setting. The success of this model may lead to its replication in other districts across the province, as the inspector general of police has praised it as a significant advancement for women’s services.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), approximately 91% of women in domestic work face harassment, exacerbated by social media misuse. The Women’s Enclave is equipped with trained female officers and collaborates with the cybercrime wing of the FIA to process and follow up on complaints.
