Privacy, safety, easy access to courts services for women will be ensured through Women facilitation centers: CJP

KARACHI
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has said that as per decision of National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) year 2026-27 has been declared as the Women Client Facilitation Year and Women Facilitation Centers will be set up in the courts all over the country.
He said this during a meeting with representatives of Sindh women lawyers in Supreme Court (SC) Karachi registry Tuesday.
A historical vision for providing better facilities to women clients in the courts was presented on the occasion.
Women representatives of Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) and Karachi High Court Bar Association (KHCBA) met CJP.
Office bearers of both the high courts Bars and Chief Justice (CJ) Sindh High Court were present on the occasion.
During the meeting , CJP said that these centers are aimed at providing a safe and dignified and private environment to women litigants so that they could seek access to justice without any fear.
In Women Facilitation centers privacy, safety and easy access of women to court’s services will be ensured.
Separate reception, waiting room, separate entrance and standard washrooms will be set up in these centers.
Justice Yahya Afridi said the Women Facilitation Centres would provide a wide range of services under one roof. In addition to offering legal guidance, the centres would include mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) facilities to help settle suitable cases quickly and reduce the burden on courts.
He added that the centres would also provide psychological counselling and connect women with relevant government departments and support organisations whenever required. The initiative is intended to ensure that women receive both legal and social assistance throughout the judicial process.
He said that under law and Justice commission of Pakistan, Institute of Architects Pakistan had organized country wide design competition for women facilitation centers. 3 best designs were selected in the competition which will be provided to all high courts as model design.
Women representatives thanked CJP for giving priority to facilities for women clients and placed before him other problems related to access to justice and legal profession.
The CJP assured that problems of women lawyers will be addressed on priority basis.