Islamabad: National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has taken serious notice of reports regarding procedural barriers faced by women among the Tirah Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), particularly single women, widows, and women-headed households, in accessing registration and humanitarian assistance.
In line with its mandate under the NCSW Act 2012, the Commission expresses deep concern that the current registration process is reportedly cumbersome and disproportionately affects vulnerable women who often lack documentation, mobility, or male support. In emergency and displacement contexts, such barriers risk excluding those most in need of immediate protection and relief.
Of particular concern is the reported requirement of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) involving a minimum processing period of thirty (30) days for organisations seeking to extend assistance. In humanitarian situations, delays of this nature undermine timely response and compromise access to essential services including shelter, food security, healthcare, and protection.
The Commission has formally urged the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to review and simplify the IDP registration process, establish women-friendly and mobile registration mechanisms, streamline or waive NOC requirements during emergency phases, and ensure coordinated action among relevant departments to prevent exclusion of eligible women due to procedural hurdles.
NCSW reiterates that women’s access to relief and rehabilitation is not discretionary but a constitutional and human rights obligation. The Commission stands ready to extend technical and policy support to ensure that all response measures remain gender-responsive, inclusive, and consistent with constitutional guarantees of equality and protection.
An early and facilitative response from the concerned authorities is anticipated in the interest of safeguarding the rights and dignity of displaced women.
