In the vast expanse of Balochistan, a province known for its rugged terrain and rich cultural heritage lies a silent crisis that often goes unnoticed: the lack of women shelter homes. Within this sparsely populated region, where patriarchal norms often dictate social interactions, women facing violence find themselves with limited options for safety and refuge.

In remote areas like Duki and Jaffarabad, nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Balochistan’s landscape, stories of women grappling with violence echo through the valleys. For many, their journey begins with a dream of a better life, only to be shattered by the harsh realities of abuse and neglect.

Take, for instance, the story of Shazia, a young woman from Duki. Married off at a tender age, Shazia dreamt of building a loving family. However, her dreams were dashed when she became a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. With no safe haven to escape to, she endured years of torment in silence, fearing the repercussions of seeking help.

Similarly, in Jaffarabad, the tale of Ameena paints a picture of resilience in the face of adversity. Forced into marriage against her will, Ameena’s life became a nightmare of abuse and exploitation. Despite her desperate pleas for help, she found herself trapped in a cycle of violence, with nowhere to turn for assistance.

Across Balochistan, stories like Shazia’s and Ameena’s are all too common. The absence of women’s shelter homes exacerbates the plight of victims, leaving them with few options for safety and support. In a society where stigma and shame often silence survivors, the need for accessible and inclusive shelter services cannot be overstated.

“As Balochistan grapples with the challenges of modernization and development, it is imperative that the voices of its most vulnerable residents are not forgotten. By prioritizing the establishment of women’s shelter homes and ensuring access to comprehensive support services, the province can take a significant step towards creating a safer and more inclusive society for all its citizens,” Jalila Hyder, a human rights activist.

“Violence affects millions of women from different backgrounds, regardless of their age, how much money they have, their race, religion, who they’re attracted to, or where they come from,” she added.

According to a study of the National Commission for the Human Rights, people living in shelters shared that most of the residents (about 70%) were girls and young women between 14 and 30 years old. Many of them couldn’t read or write. Most of the residents were married, but some were widows. Surprisingly, many got married very young, with 92% marrying before they turned 20. Sadly, a lot of them were forced into marriage.

Almost everyone in the shelters had been through various types of violence like being hurt physically, mentally, or sexually, and also being controlled financially. Everyone in the shelters said they had experienced domestic violence at home.

Abdul Rauf Baloch, the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department in Balochistan, sheds light on the provision of shelters for vulnerable individuals across the province. Currently, there are seven Dar-ul-Amans (DUAs) scattered throughout the region, along with the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Centre for Women (SBBWCC) located in Quetta.

These shelters serve as havens for those in need, offering refuge and support to those facing dire circumstances. The provincial DUAs fall under the jurisdiction of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), while the SBBWCCs operate under the Women Development Department (WDD) in Balochistan.

Established in 1962, the Balochistan SWD initially began as the Social Welfare, Special Education, and Human Rights Department. Its primary objective has been to foster a nurturing environment for socially marginalized individuals, including those with disabilities or facing disadvantages.

The department’s mandate is expansive, aiming to implement a fair and inclusive social welfare system. Its focus extends to ensuring the well-being of vulnerable segments of society, particularly in areas such as health, education, social support, economic empowerment, and vocational training.

Within its broad spectrum of services, the department oversees special education initiatives,

child protection services, welfare programs for the elderly, rehabilitation for beggars, support for drug addicts, medical social services, infant daycare facilities, and orthopedic, prosthetic, and physiotherapy centers.

Despite the breadth of its responsibilities, only one DUA currently operates in Quetta. This underscores the ongoing need for further development and expansion of support services to cater to the diverse needs of individuals across Balochistan.

Director Allaudin Khilji of the Aurat Foundation underscores crucial recommendations to address the lack of women shelter homes in Balochistan. Among these recommendations is the urgent need to amend the Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act of 2014. This amendment would ensure primary legislative protection for Dar-ul-Amans (DUAs) and the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Centre for Women (SBBWCCs), aligning rules of business accordingly.

Additionally, Khilji advocates for an extension of the permitted duration of stay in SBBWCCs from 48 hours to one week. He stresses the importance of revising rules and procedures for survivor admission, establishing a regular monitoring system, and notifying services provided by the advisory committee through concerned government departments.

In terms of shelter management, Khilji emphasizes the necessity for trained staff under the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and Women Development Department (WDD) to oversee DUAs and SBBWCCs. Managers of these shelters should be empowered to implement improvements in service delivery, supported by strong coordination mechanisms between SWD and WDD.

Khilji suggests efficiency gains through consolidating shelter management under a single department, potentially placing responsibility with the WDD. Training programs for shelter staff are essential for enhancing shelter management and maintaining accountability through an advisory committee.

Moreover, Khilji highlights the need to revise guarantee and security deposit procedures and implement measures to support the mental health and

security of shelter staff, including in-charges. Importantly, he recommends court involvement post-residency to mitigate the risk of further violence or honor killings, emphasizing the survivor’s safety.