Location: Pakistan - Punjab Region

Situation:

Pakistan has seen recent economic and political upheaval, and was  subjected to numerous attacks in 2009. Against this difficult backdrop, the situation for women remains precarious. Since 2005, Doctors of the World (DOW) has been devoted, together with the Department of Social Affairs, to the creation of new refuges, called Dar Ul Aman ('house of peace'), in which female victims of domestic violence can find protection.

Activities:

The aim of the project is to help women who are victims of domestic violence. In bringing them medical, psychological and legal support, the teams work in the Dar Ul Aman (refuges for these women). The  Department of Social Affairs wanted to open 27 new centres, bringing the number from eight to 35 in Punjab. The Dar Ul Aman supported by DOW's programme allow a growing number of women to benefit from mulitidisciplinary support. The personnel in these refuges are trained in the prevention of violence, to care for women and to help them recover from violence. The close collaboration between DOW and participants from Pakistani civil society ensures the continuation of these activities and the promotion of a greater awareness within the population towards this problem. As a result of the project out of 11,340 residents, 71% accessed free medical care and 60% had access to group psychological support. 765 lawyer visits took place.

Outlook:

DOW will continue to support the Department of Social Affairs in Punjab with a programme that is now running in 35 Dar Ul Aman refuges.