Training on Investigation into Gender and Child Related Crimes under Advanced Terrorism Investigation Course

20 - 22 January 2020, Peshawar. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), under the framework of its PACT Project, successfully conducted a three-days training on 'Investigation into Gender and Child Related Cases', from 20 - 22 January 2020, with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU). This training took place in continuation of the 6th training session, Advanced Terrorism Investigation Course, in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). It was designed with the objective of sensitizing officials from the KP and ICT (Islamabad Capital Territory) Police on problems and challenges faced by women, trans-genders, and children; and on understanding the factors contributing to the vulnerability of these groups.

Altogether 31 KP and ICT police personnel participated in the training, including four women officers, with equal representation from each police force.

On the first day, in order to establish a basis for the training, participants were introduced to the prevailing situation of gender and child related crimes in Pakistan. The trainers discussed in detail the discriminatory and exploitative behavior faced by children and transgenders at the hands of society. They elaborated, with the help of comprehensive power point presentations and case studies, on several key areas: including international commitments undertaken by Pakistan for gender and child protection, and legal frameworks to address problems faced by disabled persons. The parameters for investigation of gender and child-based crimes were also covered in detail.

The training remained interactive in nature. Throughout its duration participants, trainers, and moderators engaged in meaningful discussions regarding problems faced by children, trans-genders, disabled persons, and other vulnerable groups. Presentations were given highlighting the constitutional provisions that deal with the rights of women and children, and the provisions of the 'Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women'. The trainers also discussed case studies, for better understanding of the issues of gender discrimination.

On the last day, the trainers discussed a number of social or tribal crimes related to gender and children: including honour killing, child abuse, forced marriage, rape, forced labour, acid attack, domestic violence, 'swara' and 'vani', and harassment at the workplace. They dilated on the legal frameworks that deal with each of these crimes; and described in detail the processes to be followed in their investigation. The trainers placed special emphasis on the importance of establishing an inquiry committee to investigate cases of harassment of women.

The training concluded with positive remarks from the participants regarding the session, and the acknowledgment of its usefulness in delivering knowledge on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed during any investigation of the crimes noted above.