ISLAMABAD: The Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming convened its 27th meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Dr. Nafisa Shah, to address the rising instances of violence against women and girls in Pakistan. The committee condemned the violence and urged federal and provincial authorities to conduct thorough and transparent investigations, ensuring that cases are prosecuted in a timely manner while holding negligent officials accountable.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee emphasized the need for specialized mechanisms to track the legal proceedings of these cases, advocating for stringent monitoring from the initial complaint to the final verdict. Dr. Shah highlighted the importance of focusing on convictions through credible investigations and timely prosecution. To this end, the committee proposed the establishment of a Serious Case Cell within the Islamabad Police to oversee significant cases of violence against women and ensure continuous follow-up.

The committee instructed the Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights to collaborate with police chiefs across provinces to develop a central dashboard tracking case progress, including registration, investigation, and prosecution stages. Additionally, the committee sought detailed reports on conviction rates to identify gaps in the legal system and support ongoing parliamentary oversight.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Human Rights briefed the committee on the national policy for the care economy, initiated on the committee’s recommendation. This policy aims to establish a framework covering childcare, eldercare, disability care, and unpaid care work. The committee welcomed the progress and stressed the need for clear definitions of care work, institutional responsibilities, and resource allocation. It called for collaboration with financial and planning bodies to ensure comprehensive implementation.

In closing, the committee reiterated its dedication to eliminating gender-based violence, enhancing legal accountability, and advancing a national care economy policy that recognizes the value of unpaid and domestic care work in Pakistan.