This project is being implemented in 8 districts of Punjab – Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Vehari, Khanewal and Rawalpindi. Bedari has received financial support from Amplify Change for this purpose. It is a 15 months long project.

Main objective of the project is to improve the living conditions for women residents of 8 out of 35 DUAs (Dar Ul Amans or Shelter Homes) in Punjab. Bedari would be working with staff of the DUAs, officials of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), and legislators/policy makers. This engagement would be aimed at effective implementation of minimum standards, more resources for DUAs, and legislation on domestic violence.

Engagement with DUAs’ staff would be aimed at improving the practices at DUAs, while the residents of the DUAs would be provided with direct services including legal aid, psychological counseling, and medical aid including medicine, contraceptives, and other SRH services. Furthermore, they would be made aware of the complaint mechanisms and minimum standards for DUAs approved by the Social Welfare Department Punjab. Number of beneficiaries would be around 700. Bedari would work in partnership with Social Welfare Department, Government of Punjab.

On the other hand, Bedari would monitoring the implementation of the newly enacted Women Protection Law, and run an advocacy campaign for its effective and timely implementation in all the districts of Punjab.