EMPOWERING "WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS CHAMPIONS": SHARP-WOMEN CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME CONCLUDES AT KPJA PESHAWAR (13-17 JULY, 2026)
PESHAWAR, July 17, 2026 – The five-day SHARP-Women capacity building programme successfully concluded today at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA). Supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Islamabad, the initiative provided intensive training to 22 female lawyers, equipping them with the legal tools and leadership skills to serve as "Women Human Rights Champions" in the justice sector.
The programme was inaugurated on July 13 with Mr. Muhammad Shoaib, Senior Director (Research & Publications) as the Chief Guest. During the opening, the Honourable Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court graced the event to join the participants for a commemorative group photograph. In an inspiring interaction, the Chief Justice encouraged the female lawyers, highlighting the vital importance of their professional contributions and leadership in ensuring access to justice and the protection of human rights.
The curriculum bridged theoretical knowledge with practical application. The initial days focused on the fundamentals of human rights, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) legal frameworks, and international instruments such as CEDAW and SDG 5. Technical sessions featured experts like Ms. Rukhahanda Naz and Ms. Namra, who led discussions on procedural safeguards and survivor-centered representation. Participants also engaged in a mock court simulation and sessions on trauma-informed legal support, emphasizing the necessity of empathetic communication in sensitive cases.
On Day 4, the training moved beyond the classroom for institutional exposure visits. The participants toured the KP Police Forensic Lab in Hayatabad to observe forensic documentation processes and visited a Women Model Police Station to study investigation procedures and GBV response mechanisms firsthand. These visits were designed to provide the lawyers with a clear understanding of the referral pathways and institutional coordination required for effective advocacy.
The concluding ceremony was chaired by Mr. Jehanzeb Shinwari, Director General, KPJA, and attended by all directors of the Academy. Formal addresses were delivered by Mr. Jehanzeb Shinwari and Ms. Memoona Batool Khan, Project Director of SHARP KP, both of whom commended the participants' commitment to advancing gender justice. The programme officially ended with the distribution of certificates, marking the beginning of the participants' journey as specialized legal advocates for women's rights in Pakistan.