The SHARP-Women Capacity-Building Programme for Young Women Lawyers on Human Rights, Gender-Responsive Justice and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) continued at the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA), Islamabad, with a strong focus on practical legal knowledge, survivor protection, judicial perspectives, and emerging human rights challenges.
The day began with an interactive reflection activity, where participants shared their key learning from the programme in a single word. Responses such as “Child Marriage,” “Stop GBV,” “Women’s Protection,” “Say No to Violence,” “Don’t Judge,” and “Mental Trauma” reflected the participants’ growing understanding of dignity, safety, protection and justice.
The first expert session was conducted by Mr. Aziz Ahmed, Senior Civil Judge, on GBV Laws, Procedural Safeguards and Appreciation of Evidence. The session covered gender and sex differences, FIR procedures, investigation, legal protection, confidentiality obligations, and the rights of survivors within Pakistan’s criminal justice and evidence framework. An interactive Q&A enabled the participating women lawyers to discuss practical legal challenges and deepen their understanding of GBV-related cases.
The programme then featured a moderated panel discussion and interactive Q&A exploring judicial, prosecution and legal perspectives on GBV. The session was moderated by Mr. Muhammad Amir Munir, Faculty Member, FJA, and Mr. Aatif Afzal, Project Director – ICT, SHARP.
The distinguished panel — Ms. Syed Qurat ul Ain Adnan, Ms. Bushra Kokeb, Ms. Samina Iqbal, and Mr. Syed Muhammad Haroon, Faculty Member, FJA — discussed a wide range of issues, including:
🔹 Human rights and GBV jurisprudence in Pakistani courts
🔹 Gender-sensitive judicial decision-making
🔹 Justice pathways and strategic litigation for survivors
🔹 Use of international law in domestic courts
🔹 Landmark GBV jurisprudence
🔹 ADR and mediation in family and gender-related disputes
🔹 Courtroom communication and judgment writing
🔹 Police response, investigation and case reporting
🔹 Prosecution processes and evidentiary requirements
🔹 Inter-institutional coordination and access to justice
The discussion provided participants with valuable insights into the practical realities of GBV cases and the importance of coordinated, gender-responsive approaches across the justice system.
An important session on “Understanding the Medico-Legal Framework & Victim Protection Measures” was led by Dr. Shaukat Ali Khan, Forensic Expert. The session examined the role of medico-legal services in GBV response and prosecution, including medico-legal examination, documentation, evidence collection, and the rights of survivors to dignity, consent, confidentiality and protection. A detailed Q&A allowed participants to explore practical medico-legal issues with the expert.
The day concluded with a timely and thought-provoking session on “Climate Change, Environmental Justice and Gender”, led by Ms. Zainab Naeem, Climate Policy Advocate, SDPI. The session explored how climate change, disasters, displacement and resource scarcity can disproportionately affect women and girls in Pakistan, increasing vulnerabilities and impacting their rights, safety and livelihoods.
Participants discussed the important role women lawyers can play in advancing environmental justice and protecting climate-affected and displaced women, connecting climate action with human rights and gender-responsive justice.
Following the session, Mr. Aatif Afzal, Project Director, SHARP, along with the SHARP project team, presented a commemorative shield to Ms. Zainab Naeem in appreciation of her valuable contribution.
From stronger legal practice and survivor protection to climate justice, Day 3 expanded the horizons of participating women lawyers — strengthening their knowledge, practical skills and capacity to become effective advocates for rights, justice, protection and resilience.
