The Lahore High Court has ordered the removal of all male employees from shelter homes (Darul Aman) and Child Protection Bureaus in Punjab. This decision came after hearings on petitions filed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and others.
The court has instructed the Punjab government to create a database and monitoring system for these shelters. It also ordered the installation of CCTV cameras for better security and the deployment of female police personnel at all shelter homes.
The court directed the government to develop new regulations under the Women Protection Act of 2016 within six months and to establish rules for childrenβs protection centers. It also ordered that women receive vocational training to help with their rehabilitation.
The court emphasized the need for better monitoring of these facilities, with judges reviewing them twice a year. It also called for child protection units at the district and tehsil levels. Additionally, the ruling requires public information about these shelters to be available online. The court questioned the legality of certain crisis centers and stressed the importance of clear rules for running shelter homes.
This ruling aims to improve the safety, transparency, and effectiveness of these institutions for women and children in need.
