The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Punjab Department of Social Welfare and other partners, launched the first comprehensive costing study on the resources, facilities, and needs of shelter homes for women survivors of gender-based violence in Punjab. The study calls for infrastructure upgrades to shelter homes and Women Protection Centers, specialized facilities for women and children with disabilities, the provision of trained staff, private spaces for counseling, and services aligned with international standards. Chief Guest, Minister for Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal, Sohail Shoukat Butt, stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, ending violence against women and girls is among the government’s top priorities. “A safe shelter is not just four walls—it is a place that offers privacy, emotional and psychological support, awareness services, and a pathway to self-reliance,” he emphasized. The ceremony was attended by Secretary Social Welfare Javed Akhtar Mahmood, Director General Women Protection Authority Kalsoom Saqib, Saeed ul Hassan from FCDO, UNFPA representatives, members of international organizations, and civil society.
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