The one-day provincial consultation at Serena Hotel Quetta brought together stakeholders to develop a practical Domestic Violence Roadmap aligned with the Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2014. The event was organized by SPO in collaboration with UNFPA Pakistan and the Women Development Department, Government of Balochistan, and facilitated by Dr. Barkat Shah.
Mir Ahmed Sami, Regional Manager and Head of SPO Balochistan, hosted the consultation and set the stage for inclusive dialogue that included representatives from civil society, legal professionals, government departments, local and international NGOs, the media, persons with disabilities, the transgender community, and academia. Participants were encouraged to focus on actionable steps for implementation across districts.
Ms. Jehan Ara Tabassum, Deputy Secretary of the Women Development Department, inaugurated the session and stressed the need for a coordinated, practical, and implementable roadmap that responds to local realities. Bilawal Baloch, UNFPA Representative, underlined that effective prevention of domestic violence requires collective action and strategic planning to move toward Zero Gender-Based Violence in the province.
Attendees worked in groups to draft concrete recommendations and strategies to operationalize the Domestic Violence Roadmap, with attention to protection services, legal access, awareness raising, and coordination among institutions. The working groups aimed to produce timelines and responsibilities to ensure the roadmap can be rolled out effectively at the provincial level.
In closing, Ms. Rubina Zahri, Manager of the Women Crisis Center Quetta, praised the engagement of participants and reiterated a commitment to women’s protection and empowerment consistent with the vision of provincial leadership. The consultation marked a step toward a coordinated provincial response informed by diverse voices and practical guidance for implementation.
