KARACHI: Citizens of the country have questioned the reliability of claims made by the government and non-profit organisations (NGO) related to shelter homes for abandoned women in Karachi after news of a 28-year-old distressed mother drowning her two-year-old daughter in the sea after being deserted by her family surfaced on Tuesday.
Talking to APP, the citizens said that government officials, as well as NGOs, were claiming to have established a support mechanism with provision for safe shelters for women in need for decades; however, the tragic circumstances cited to have compelled Shakeela Rashid to take the life of her daughter Anam and then attempt suicide demanded an urgent audit of the claimed facilities.
University teacher Naushad Akhter mentioned that political considerations had led to handing over the government-owned Daarul Amaan to an NGO many years ago. “We ought to know their performance and also what efforts were made by them to restore public confidence in the facility that was placed under their control to help rectify its tarnished reputation,” said the senior professional.
To a query, she acknowledged that for several years it was only through court orders that women could be accommodated at Daarul Aman.
“This was when the facility was managed by social welfare department of the province,” said Akhter mentioning that while being handed to the NGO, special provision was created to open it up for every woman in need.
Swaleha Haq, a lawyer and member of defunct Pakistan Women Lawyers Association (PWLA) said its founding president (late) Rashida Patel was one of those who drew attention towards the plight of women ostracised by society.
“She was particularly concerned about women jailed for a crime committed by them and having nowhere to go after the completion of their sentence,” said the activist.
Different NGOs were registered to come forward to work for the cause of women who were deserted by their families and had no place to lead a dignified life.
“Factually we find no such facility making a difference for those who are faced with extreme situations,” said a citizen Ghazala Rehman.
Urging authorities to realise the intensity of the situation, women from different walks of life said that a strong political will with equal attention was needed to ensuring social security for all marginalised sections.
