By Abdul Ghani

The Ministry of Human Rights has proposed the establishment of daycare centres in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as part of a broader Rs2.87 billion umbrella project aimed at promoting human rights and women’s development, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The initiative is part of the “Umbrella PC-I: Human Rights & Women Development Initiatives,” which is currently awaiting approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP). The project comprises multiple components designed to strengthen institutional capacity, promote gender equality, and support working women.

A key feature of the proposal is the establishment of daycare centres in ICT, AJK and GB with an estimated allocation of around Rs570 million. The initiative is intended to provide safe childcare facilities, particularly for working women in public-sector institutions, and to help improve female participation in the workforce. The document indicates that this component had already received conditional approval from the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) in April 2025, showing some progress within the overall plan.

Another major component of the umbrella project is the establishment of the Federal Institute of Human Rights (FIHR), for which approximately Rs1.5 billion has been proposed. The institute is envisioned as a national platform for research, training, and policy development in the human rights sector. It will focus on organising training programmes, seminars, and conferences, while also supporting evidence-based policymaking and institutional coordination.

In addition, the project includes a Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Programme with an estimated allocation of around Rs800 million. This component aims to promote women’s rights awareness, strengthen gender-responsive policies, and enhance institutional mechanisms for the protection and empowerment of women. It also seeks to encourage community-level engagement on gender issues.

Despite its comprehensive scope, the umbrella PC-I remains unapproved and is expected to be presented before the CDWP for final consideration. Once approved, the initiative will play a significant role in strengthening Pakistan’s human rights framework while addressing structural barriers faced by women, particularly through practical interventions such as accessible childcare facilities.

Credit: INP-WealthPk