The Virtual Women Police Station (VWPS), launched by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) on April 22, 2024, is Pakistan’s first digital law enforcement initiative dedicated to women’s safety. Inaugurated as “Meri Awaz…Maryam Nawaz”, its primary objective is to provide women with secure, accessible, and convenient channels to report harassment, domestic violence, workplace discrimination, and other issues without visiting a physical police station. By leveraging ICT tools, VWPS ensures privacy, reduces cultural and mobility barriers, and empowers women to seek justice confidently.The system is accessible through multiple platforms—15 Call Service, Women Safety App (with live chat and video call features), Punjab Police App, Complaint management system, Police Tahafuz Markaz and the Safe City web portal—guiding women through the entire process from FIR registration to trial support. This integrated approach ensures efficiency, transparency, and rapid response.Since its launch, VWPS has received over 792,000 complaints, with 792,944 resolved cases, 79,498 FIRs registered, and 2,445 cases under inquiry, demonstrating its scale and effectiveness.The impact is transformative: VWPS strengthens Digital Public Infrastructure, builds trust in law enforcement, promotes gender equality by protecting women rights, and creates safer, more inclusive communities. It stands as a model of how technology can deliver justice, empower women, and foster societal resilience.
https://vwps.psca.gop.pk/
Completed
01 February 2024
02 April 2024
The Virtual Women Police Station (VWPS), launched by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), is flexible because it is built on adaptable digital infrastructure and ICT tools that can be customized to different contexts. Its primary objective—providing women with secure, private, and accessible channels to report harassment, domestic violence, workplace discrimination, and other safety concerns—addresses challenges faced by women .The system integrates multiple platforms, including the 15 Call Service, Complaint management system, Police Tahafuz Markaz, Women Safety App with live chat and video call features, the Punjab Police App, and the Safe City web portal, guiding women through the entire process from FIR registration to trial support. These features are not limited to Punjab; they can be replicated in other regions by tailoring the technology to local languages, laws, and policing frameworks.The results achieved in Punjab—792,944 resolved cases, 79,498 FIRs registered, and 2,445 cases under inquiry—demonstrate both effectiveness and scalability. The model strengthens Digital Public Infrastructure, builds trust in law enforcement, and promotes gender equality through technology‑driven justice delivery.Therefore, VWPS is replicable at national, and international levels, serving as a best practice for countries seeking innovative solutions to enhance women’s safety and access to justice.
The Virtual Women Police Station (VWPS) is a highly sustainable initiative because it combines strong institutional support, cost‑effective digital infrastructure, and proven community trust. Operated by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and integrated with Punjab Police systems, it ensures long‑term continuity through government ownership and policy alignment. By leveraging existing platforms such as the 15 Call Service, Women Safety App, Punjab Police App, and the Safe City web portal, VWPS minimizes duplication, reduces operational costs, and maximizes efficiency, making it financially and technically viable.Its sustainability is reinforced by measurable outcomes: over 792,000 complaints received, 792,944 cases resolved, 79,498 FIRs registered, and 2,445 cases under inquiry. These figures highlights consistent demand, institutional commitment, and public confidence in the system. The reliance on ICT tools ensures adaptability, allowing for upgrades, integration with emerging technologies, and expansion across districts without heavy infrastructure investment.Beyond operational resilience, VWPS contributes to social sustainability by advancing gender equality , strengthening justice and institutions , and fostering safer, more inclusive communities. Its proven impact, scalability, and alignment with global development goals make VWPS a model that can endure, expand nationally, and inspire replication internationally.
The Virtual Women Police Station (VWPS) advances the values of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) by harnessing ICT to build an inclusive, accessible, and equitable digital society. It provides women with secure, private, and convenient digital platforms—such as the 15 Call Service, Women Safety App, Punjab Police App, Complaint management system, Police Tahafuz Markaz and the Safe City web portal—to report harassment, domestic violence, workplace discrimination, and other safety concerns. This ensures that justice is accessible regardless of location, mobility, or social barriers, directly reflecting WSIS principles of universal access to ICTs and bridging the digital divide. VWPS empowers marginalized groups, particularly women, by enabling them to exercise their rights confidently and safely. It strengthens trust in institutions through transparent, technology‑driven processes, ensuring accountability and efficiency in law enforcement. With over 792,000 complaints addressed and 79,498 FIRs registered, the project demonstrates how ICT can deliver tangible social impact. By promoting gender equaliy by protecting women rights(SDG 5), enhancing peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16), and fostering safer communities, VWPS embodies WSIS values of empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable digital development. It stands as a model of how technology can transform governance, protect vulnerable groups, and build a more just and inclusive information society.
Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA)
Pakistan — Government
https://www.psca.gop.pk
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