A two-batch training series on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was initiated on 5 January 2026 with the successful completion of the first batch. The training series is being organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA) in collaboration with Shirkat Gah – Women’s Resource Centre, and in partnership with UN Women, with the aim of strengthening judicial capacity through enhanced understanding of gender and GBV within the prevailing cultural context, improved knowledge of legal frameworks and judicial obligations, and the promotion of survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches in the handling of GBV cases.
The inaugural session of the first batch was chaired by Mr. Jehanzeb Shinwari, Director General KPJA, who emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in addressing gender-based violence through informed, sensitive, and rights-based practices. He highlighted the importance of equipping judges with the necessary skills to recognize structural inequalities, challenge discriminatory norms, and ensure effective access to justice for survivors.
Ms. Fauzia Ali, Program Coordinator (Peshawar Office), Shirkat Gah – Women’s Resource Centre, briefed participants on the role of Shirkat Gah in advancing women’s rights and gender justice. She underscored the relevance of the training in addressing patriarchal norms, harmful cultural practices, and institutional biases that perpetuate violence against women, and emphasized that such capacity-building initiatives are essential for strengthening gender-responsive justice systems.
The technical sessions focused on deepening participants’ understanding of gender and gender-based violence, with particular attention to cultural context, anti-women practices, patriarchal structures, and the role of judges, as presented by Dr. Samina Afridi. Legal frameworks and judicial obligations related to GBV were discussed in detail through two sessions conducted by Mr. Syed Yasir Shabbir, District and Sessions Judge, Karak. The training further addressed survivor-centered and trauma-informed justice, highlighting practical challenges and good practices in handling GBV cases, in a session led by Ms. Faryal Zia Mufti, District and Sessions Judge and Senior Director Administration, KPJA.
The program concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony led by Mr. Jehanzeb Shinwari, Director General KPJA. On behalf of the participants, the class representative expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of KPJA, Shirkat Gah – Women’s Resource Centre, and UN Women in organizing a timely and impactful training initiative. The second batch of the training, involving a different group of participants and covering the same thematic areas, will be conducted on 8 January 2026.