Key Takeaways
- Climate-induced displacement and livelihood losses are increasing vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV) in District Thatta.
- A report by human rights expert Iqbal Ahmed Detho recommends establishing a One-Stop Facilitation Centre for survivors.
- Strengthening institutional capacities and interdepartmental coordination is crucial for effective GBV response.
Climate-induced displacement, livelihood losses, poverty, food insecurity, and social stress are exacerbating the vulnerability of women to gender-based violence (GBV) in District Thatta, according to a report shared at a stakeholder meeting. The findings were presented by Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), with support from Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Thatta.
The report, titled 'Beyond the Climate Disaster: Climate-Induced Vulnerability and Gender-Based Violence—Findings from District Thatta,' was authored by human rights expert Iqbal Ahmed Detho. It highlights that GBV data remains fragmented across institutions, hindering authorities' ability to assess the true scale of violence and develop coordinated responses.
Detho emphasized the need for a One-Stop Facilitation Centre (OSFC) in Thatta, which would bring together police, medico-legal officers, child protection authorities, lawyers, prosecutors, judicial representatives, psychosocial counsellors, and referral service providers under one roof. This centre aims to enable survivors to receive immediate medical care, legal assistance, protection, counselling, and case management without visiting multiple institutions.
Imran-ul-Haq, Additional Deputy Commissioner-I of Thatta, acknowledged the challenges government departments face in maintaining reliable GBV data. He stressed the importance of strengthening institutional capacities, interdepartmental coordination, and standardized reporting systems for an effective response to GBV incidents.
Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF, highlighted that recurring floods, displacement, livelihood losses, rising temperatures, and increasing poverty have intensified risks for women and children in Thatta. He proposed establishing a district administration-led, multi-stakeholder platform and a GBV Response Data Management Dashboard to support evidence-based planning, case tracking, coordination, and accountability.
The stakeholder meeting recommended the establishment of an OSFC, strengthening referral pathways, developing a centralized GBV case-management system, engaging communities, and integrating GBV prevention into climate resilience and disaster risk reduction programmes. These measures aim to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change on women’s safety and well-being in Thatta.
The report underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts among government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly women.
GBV data remains fragmented across institutions, preventing authorities from assessing the true scale of violence and developing coordinated responses.
Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Human rights expert
Strengthening institutional capacities, interdepartmental coordination, and standardized reporting systems is crucial for an effective response to GBV incidents.
Imran-ul-Haq, Additional Deputy Commissioner-I of Thatta
