The Social Welfare, Special Education & Women Empowerment Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with technical support from the UNFPA Pakistan and Strengthening Participatory Organization under the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office-UK Aid-funded flagship Aawaz II Programme, officially launched the 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 (𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐬) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐫-𝐮𝐥-𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 at a landmark ceremony in Peshawar on 19th May, 2026.

The ceremony was graced by Mr. Shareef Hussain, Secretary, Social Welfare, Special Education & Women Empowerment Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved while women remain vulnerable to violence and inequality and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to institutionalizing these SOPs across all provincial institutions.

Mr. Khalid Zaman, Director, Social Welfare Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that the SOPs institutionalize a promise to the women of the province by ensuring that no survivor is turned away and that every Dar-ul-Aman becomes a true House of Peace.

Syeda Nudrat, Gender Specialist Social Welfare Department stated that the SOPs institutionalize a promise to the women of the province by ensuring that no survivor is turned away and that every Dar-ul-Aman becomes a true House of Peace.

Ms. Mahjabeen Qazi, Head of UNFPA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighted that the adoption of formal SOPs marks a transformative shift from ad hoc responses to a structured, survivor-centered, and connected care approach, ensuring that women fleeing violence receive predictable and dignified support.

Dr. Tufail Muhammad, Board Member of SPO, noted that the SOPs are the result of months of collaboration, field insights, and survivor voices. He called for their effective implementation across all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Ms. Rozina Rehman, District and Sessions Judge, Peshawar High Court, welcomed this milestone and stressed the importance of accountability and implementation to ensure that the SOPs translate into practical protection for survivors.

The newly launched SOPs establish a comprehensive, survivor-centered framework to standardize service delivery across all Dar-ul-Amans and Women Crisis Centers in the province. They provide clear guidance on intake procedures, case management, psychosocial support, legal assistance, referral pathways, confidentiality, safety protocols, rehabilitation, and interdepartmental coordination.

Developed through extensive consultations with government stakeholders, the judiciary, civil society organizations, and gender-based violence experts, these SOPs represent a major step toward institutionalizing quality, accountability, and rights-based protection services for women and girls affected by gender-based violence.

Together, we are building stronger systems that protect, empower, and restore dignity to women and girls across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.