The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), through its Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) initiative, is collaborating with local authorities and civil society to advance women’s empowerment in Pakistan’s Bhakkar District. In partnership with the District Police Officer (DPO) and Deputy Commissioner (DC), COL’s efforts focus on enhancing women’s access to justice, mobility, and economic opportunities – benefitting hundreds of women in the region.

A key milestone is the partnership between the DPO Bhakkar and COL’s Pakistan-based partner, BEDARI. By appointing a dedicated focal person to educate women regarding their legal rights, the DPO’s office has improved women’s awareness and confidence in seeking legal protection. A number of women have participated in these awareness sessions, resulting in measurable increases in their willingness to report violations and seek redress.

The DPO Bhakkar has played a crucial role in ensuring women are informed about their legal rights by assigning a dedicated focal person to participate in awareness sessions. This initiative has strengthened women’s understanding of legal protection mechanisms and available support services. Additionally, BEDARI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DPO’s office to provide automotive driving skills training to women with the support of the police, helping to enhance women’s mobility and economic independence while also helping break the prevalent gender stereotypes about occupations such as driving.

The DC Bhakkar is actively supporting community-based initiatives for women’s empowerment. Bedari holds meetings with the DC every two months to discuss progress, exchange ideas, and refine strategies to ensure sustainability. These discussions focus on improving women’s access to financial resources, vocational training, and essential government services.

This collaboration between Bedari, the DPO, and the DC demonstrates a sustainable model of institutional support that fosters women’s empowerment, access to justice, and economic inclusion. By working together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more inclusive future for women in Bhakkar.