The CJP of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, has made an announcement regarding the creation of Women Facilitation Centers in various Pakistani courts. This move is another addition to the initiatives being taken by the judiciary in order to make the justice process more accessible, and user-friendly for women.
The announcement came during a meeting with women representatives of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Karachi Bar Association at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry. The discussion focused on the challenges women continue to face while seeking justice and explored measures to improve their overall experience within the country’s judicial system.
One-Window Support for Women Litigants
According to the Chief Justice, the facilitation centers will offer an atmosphere that is both dignified and comfortable for the women who attend the courts.
These centers will consist of special reception area and waiting area, separate entrance and bathrooms, conference rooms, legal advice, alternative dispute resolution center and psychosocial counseling facility. All these facilities combined are meant to decrease the difficulties encountered by the women when attending legal proceedings.
Part of a Broader Judicial Reform Agenda
This program itself is not a stand-alone activity but part of the wider Gender-Responsive Justice Initiative (GRJI) of 2026-27 of the judiciary, which has been prioritised by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC).
Apart from this, in order to achieve gender equality through judicial reforms, other initiatives include the provision of free legal aid and advice to women, improvement of mediation and family support services in courts, revision of family laws by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, gender-sensitive language in the proceedings of the court and law drafting, and legal awareness programs, especially for rural women.
Designed Beyond Basic Court Facilities
Officials have indicated that the Women Facilitation Centres are envisioned as more than waiting areas. Earlier consultations on the project revealed that the centres are being designed as integrated service hubs where women can access legal guidance, court-annexed mediation, supervised family visitation arrangements and support services for gender-based violence cases in a secure, confidential and respectful environment.
The judiciary has also initiated work on a standardised architectural model for these centres through a national design competition to ensure they prioritise privacy, accessibility, cultural sensitivity and safety while remaining adaptable for judicial complexes across the country.
Funding and Nationwide Expansion
Women facilitation centers are set to be extended as a part of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF). Judicial complexes will also be fitted with solar energy plants, e-libraries, internet, and clean drinking water under the AJDF. The judiciary has confirmed that infrastructure development is set to take place in stages, and women-friendly areas will be one of the core aspects of the project.
A Move Towards More Inclusive Justice
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has repeatedly described gender-responsive justice as a constitutional obligation rather than merely a policy objective. The judiciary believes that creating dedicated spaces and support systems for women will help remove barriers that often discourage female litigants from pursuing legal remedies.
If implemented as planned, the Women Facilitation Centres are expected to become a key feature of Pakistan’s judicial reform programme, making courts more welcoming, accessible and responsive to women while strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
Sources: DAWN News, and The News.
