SHRC unveils three-year strategic plan to protect weak, marginalised segments.

KARACHI -- 'Ministries and departments responsible for the protection of human and women's rights must be provided adequate human resources,' said Syeda Shehla Raza, Sindh Minister for Women Development.

She was speaking at the launch of the Sindh Human Rights Commission's second three-year strategic plan at a local hotel on Thursday.

The plan prepared by the SHRC with technical assistance from the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) looks to strengthen and redress mechanisms, spread awareness among vulnerable populations about protection mechanisms, review and identify legislations and monitor implementation of the existing laws.

While appreciating SHRC's progress, Ms Raza said that Sindh was the only province to have two rights commissions working under the dynamic leadership of two women - retired Justice Majida Rizvi, heads the SHRC, and Nuzhat Shireen, who heads the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women.

Minister says 30 complaint cells needed to cover HR violations in all districts

'Both are successfully managing the uphill task of promotion and protection of women and human rights in the province,' she said.

'But, just having these commissions is not enough. We need 30 complaint cells to cover all the districts with more people to work there as the work of the commissions is to identify gaps and spread awareness,' she said, adding that there is a need for extra intervention in the cases where minor girls are involved.

'Here we can see that a girl is underage, but the courts don't see it. When there are faults made at the FIR stage, then the case is flawed too,' she pointed out.

Bringing up her personal tragedy, when she lost both her children in an accident, she said that the then judge hearing the case never even called her for her statement. 'Was I not human? Did I not have any rights?' she argued.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the SHRC chairperson Justice Majida Rizvi described the successes and future plans of...