KPJA and AGHS Host Comprehensive Two-Day Training to Strengthen Judicial Response to Gender-Based Violence (6-7 July, 2026)
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA), in strategic collaboration with the Asma Jehangir Legal Aid Cell (AGHS), successfully conducted a specialized two-day training program titled “Capacity-Building of Judges on Institutional Response to SGBV Cases” on July 6th and 7th, 2026. This initiative aimed to equip judicial officers with the necessary legal, social, and psychological tools to handle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases with increased sensitivity and legal precision.
The training commenced with an inaugural session chaired by Mr. Ahmed Iftikhar, Dean Faculty of the KPJA. Ms. Rakhshanda Naz, former Ombudsperson and Managing Trustee of Mera Ghar (an implementing partner with AGHS), delivered the keynote address and provided a comprehensive overview of the training's objectives. The session was attended by all directors of the Academy, underscoring the institutional priority placed on gender justice.
A total of 20 judicial officers from various stations across the province participated in the intensive program. The group included 5 Additional District and Sessions Judges from Haripur, Ghazi, Batagram, Peshawar, and Mardan, alongside 15 Civil Judges/Judicial Magistrates representing Khyber, Havelian, Kulachi, Swabi, Topi, Lakki, Buner, Tor Ghar, Shangla, and Abbottabad.
The first day focused on establishing a foundational understanding of gender dynamics within the legal system. Resource persons Mr. Fahad Malik and Mr. Hammad Saeed led sessions on gender sensitization and identifying roadblocks to justice. The curriculum delved deep into the Anti-Rape Act, 2021, exploring its purpose, scope, and key provisions, as well as technical legal definitions regarding consent and the ingredients of rape.
The second day transitioned into complex evidentiary and procedural matters. Advocate Shabbir Hussain (Supreme Court of Pakistan) conducted sessions on evidentiary nuances, such as delays in reporting and the handling of character evidence. Participants also explored the KP Domestic Violence Against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2021, and the legal concepts of Fasad-fil-Arz and Honour Crimes.
A unique and critical component of the training featured an online lecture by Dr. Summaiya Syed Tariq, who guided judges through medicolegal processes under the Anti-Rape Trial and Investigation Act, 2021. Recognizing the emotional toll of such cases, the program also included a dedicated workshop on managing vicarious trauma for judges.
The training concluded with a formal ceremony where Mr. Muhammad Shoaib, Senior Director (Research & Publication), served as the Chief Guest. In his closing remarks, he highlighted the judiciary's vital role in protecting vulnerable populations. Following a post-training assessment, Mr. Shoaib, joined by Ms. Hina, Senior Director Administration, and other Academy directors, formally conferred certificates upon the participants.
This collaboration between the KPJA and AGHS represents a significant step forward in ensuring that the provincial judiciary remains at the forefront of delivering informed and empathetic justice in cases of gender-based violence.