PWPA, JICA Reaffirm Cooperation to Strengthen Women Protection Services

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation to enhance women protection services across Punjab.

The commitment was reiterated during a meeting between PWPA Chairperson Hina Pervaiz Butt and JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, who led a high-level Japanese delegation on Monday.

Welcoming the delegation, Hina Pervaiz Butt said Pakistan and Japan share a longstanding partnership, adding that JICA’s technical assistance has significantly strengthened the capacity of Women Protection Centres through specialised training, institutional coordination, and survivor-centred service delivery.

She highlighted Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of reinforcing women’s protection mechanisms and appreciated the growing cooperation between Punjab and Japan in promoting the welfare and safety of women.

Dr. Akihiko Tanaka reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Pakistan, particularly Punjab, in addressing gender-based violence through capacity-building initiatives and institutional reforms. He commended the progress achieved by the PWPA under its ongoing collaboration with JICA.

Punjab Social Welfare Secretary Sara Omar said the partnership had delivered encouraging results and stressed the importance of expanding the reach and impact of training programmes across the institution.

During the visit, PWPA Director General Dr. Lubna Nazir briefed the delegation on the authority’s reforms, services, and achievements under JICA’s technical cooperation programme.

Dr. Tanaka also met women who had benefited from PWPA services and praised the authority’s efforts in providing legal, psychosocial, and rehabilitation support to survivors of violence.