Women Workers Help Line (WWHL) is working from last 10 years and is playing an effective role in providing services to the victims of violence, abuse and exploitation particularly the hildren and women who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.

This year WWHL collaborated with LHRLA to act as a focal point of Madadgaar National Helpline in Punjab.  Madadgaar is Pakistan’s first Helpline 111-911-922 for children & women suffering from violence, abuse and exploitation. Madadgaar Helpline provides telephonic counselling, face to face counseling, and counseling to walk-in survivors, crisis intervention, guidance, legal advices, legal aid and referral services to children and women.

This year Madadgaar is being scaled up on National level with the help of Plan- International  having focal points in each provincial capital; Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. WWHL is working as a focal point in Lahore with support of LHRLA. As Helpline serves as a centre point from where survivor can get help regarding the problem they are facing. Madadgaar Helpline is going to establish now in other three provinces of Pakistan.

A launching Ceremony of Madadgaar National Helpline was held at provincial level in Lahore on 21st may, 2012 at HOTEL AMBASSADOR in cooperation with Women Workers Help Line (WWHL) and Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA). Honorable Mrs. Zakia Shah Nawaz, adviser to Chief Minister Punjab Was CHIEF GUEST at this occasion.

In this regard, Madadgaar Lahore and WWHL invited the Following honorable Guest and speakers from Civil Societies, private Organizations, and Government line departments:

Honourable Mrs. Zakia Shah Nawaz adviser to Chief Minister Punjab

• Mr. Zia Ahmed Awan, President LHRLA

• Justice ® Nasira Jawed Iqbal

• Mr. Malik Mohammad Aslam (DG) Director General Social Welfare, Women Development and Bait.Ul.Maal, Punjab.

• Mr. Abdul Qadoos Akhtar Director Admin, Social Welfare, Women Development and Bait.Ul.Maal, Punjab

• Ms. Musrat Misbah, President Diplex (Smile Again Foundation) For acid Burn Victims

• Mr. Ahsan Ghani,Focal Person, Ombudsman  Punjab.

• Mr. Khalid Mateen DSP, Lahore

• Mr. Ali Akbar,Social Walfare Officer, Child Protection & Welfare Bureau, Lahore.

• Ms. Shahida Riaz, Deputy Director NGOs, Social Welfare, Women Development and Bait.Ul.Maal, Punjab

• Mr. Ahmer Majeed Director Sanjog Organization

• Lady S.H.O Bushra Aziz

• Mr. Nadeem Fazil,Member Working committee ,War Against Rape.

• Mr. Farooq Tariq, Spokes Person,Labour party Pakistan

• Ahmed Bukhsh Awan, Chairman, The Sincere Foundation

The launching ceremony was started with the formal introduction of Madadgaar Helpline. Azra shad chairperson WWHL Came to the stage and she worthily welcome Chief Guest, honourable Speakers and all the representatives of the different organizations and all the participants of the ceremony, she expressed her feeling and pleasure while talking about Help line’s procedure, she thoroughly told about Women Struggle for peace and their rights and how they are getting their rights, and the role of Madadgaar and Wwhl for attaining their goals., Azra Shad also said in her speech that Women Workers Help Line (WWHL) has signed a project with Lawyers for Human Rights & Legal Aid (LHRLA) to be a part of Madadgaar National Helpline WWHL is acting as Focal Point in Province Punjab. Then a presentation was given by Fizzah gardezi on the working strategies and work plan of Madadgaar National Helpline.She Thoroughly told that Madadgaar Provides telephonic counselling, face to face counselling to walk-in survivors, crisis intervention, guidance, legal advises and legal aid and referral services to children and women. She further brief that this project will work to serve as the first point of contact for victims of violence, abuse and exploitation through guidance and referrals to various partners.

Then President LHRLA Mr Zia ahmed awan gave his speech, He heartedly Welcome all the honourable guests, speakers, and all the participant. He highly appreciated MADADGAAR Lahore team’s working and afforts, He briefly told about Madadgaar working and also gave a very happy and good news that all over Asia child help line’s have 4 digit numbers, and now with the collaboration of Ministry of Human rights permitted PTA to install MADADGAAR NATIONAL HELPLINE a 4 digit number that would be 1098 and it is really an honor for Pakistan first child helpline, MADADGAAR NATIONAL HELPLINE.

DSP Khalid mateen on behalf of CCPO Lahore Aslam Tareen, acknowledged Madadgaar’s working and also told the current situation of the city crime rate and told that people are very depressed and Madadgaar give them pleasure, he ensured that for all kind of legal help and assistance police is with you. He said Zia awan took a bold step by establishing such a wonderful child Helpline in Pakistan.

Nasira Jawed Iqbal appreciated Zakia Shah Nawaz and all the speakers for their presence and participation, she said i was depressed before coming here that to which i should write the situation of the city, now i got the solution by coming here i am very clear and satisfied now for the solutions of the children and women. She appreciated working of azra shad. Then Farooq Tariq, spokes person labour party Pakistan, shared his comments.

Honorable Chief guest, Mrs. Zakia Shah Nazwaz thanks all the speakers, and all the present individuals, stakeholders and all guests, she highly appreciated Madadgaar team and their work, she appreciated Zia Awan, Azra Shad, for their bold step for youth. She said, me and my all best wishes are with you and for yours noble cause. She admired Madadgaar working, their stretegies and work, she ensured that she is in all aspects is with Madadgaar, She said i am all time available for the help of Madadgaar team. In the end Shields were distributed to the Chief Guest and all the speakers and Madadgaar’s Lahore Team.

In the end azra shad Chairperson WWHL thanks all the participants, to the chief guest, and the speakers.