Blue Veins a non-for-profit organization implementing the project "Strengthening District Bar Associations and setting up Facilitation Kiosks in District Court" Peshawar in collaboration with District Bar Association under Gender Equity Programme (GEP) of Aurat foundation supported by USAID.
District Bar Association Peshawar is operating under the umbrella of Peshawar courts, which is the primary window for oppressed citizen for access to justice, therefore up-gradation of the District Bar Association is the utmost need of the time, also there is a need to facilitate women lawyers and women litigants both by providing them conducing environment where females would be assisted by females.
Blue Veins under the Gender Equity Program had promised to upgrade the District Bar within the possible limits according to their needs, and establish a well-equipped resource centre for female lawyers where they can carry out their daily operations smoothly.
After the situational analysis and several meetings with cabinet Blue Veins successfully delivered the resources to District Bar and established a well-facilitated resource centreith computer systems, IT equipment, desk and chairs and law books. Under the project an information Kiosk is established within the court premises where free legal aid is provided to the female litigants.
The kiosk is managed by female lawyers, which is a remarkable initiative at district court level where female visitors can freely receive legal assistant, a panel of female lawyers is registered with the desk who are made in contact with the female litigants to pursue their cases free of cost.
So far above 20 females have received free legal aid under the project and above 200 females and males has received legal assistance from the desk. A ceremony was organized by the District Bar Association to highlights the collective efforts of Blue Veins and District Bar Association to materialize the initiative of Aurat Foundation and USAID. "Being a non-for-profit organization, it was enormous challenge for Blue Veins to intervene in district courts as it is a common believe that NGOs initiate process but never materialized it.
Khushnuma Khan female kiosk facilitator said "no female lawyer had the confidence to sit on the desk and practice as lawyer but the desk has attracted other females around to sit on their desk alone with their clients, such like initiatives are much needed to encourage more female lawyers to come out of the ladies bar room and practice like their male colleagues". Information materials related to women laws, women relief funds are also distributed from Kiosk, which help common people to understand the laws and access to relief available.
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