Ministry of Women Development will set up 'Mukhtaran Mai Crisis Center' in Mirwala Multan. Sources told Business Recorder the ministry has allocated Rs 2.5 million yearly budget allocations for the center, which would be a 3-year project. The centre will be operational from next week as the ministry has appointed the staff to serve the women in distress. Mukhtaran Mai, the victim of gang rape, will also be an important member of the staff of the center.
Sources said the center in Mirwala was the requirement of the area to create awareness among women about their rights. However, the main objective of establishing crisis center was to provide legal assistance because mostly the women in area were poor and could not afford fees of lawyers.
The center will provide institutional care to the women involved in court cases, free legal aid, and rehabilitation of women by skill development and training in different crafts. The ministry will also organise a computer-training course for the staff and in turn they will train the women in the center.
Sources added the ministry would also provide micro credit loans from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 from Khushali Bank and First Women Bank Ltd to the women in crisis center.
The center will be connected to police station and also provide free medical assistance.
Presently, 10 Crisis center are working in the country in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Vehari, Quetta, Sahiwal, Kohat, Mainwala and Peshawar.
Talking about the nature of cases, sources in the ministry said usually burn cases were registered in those centers and the women also wanted legal assistance and shelter.