𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞

…𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒘 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕

By Yeshey Lhadon

Bhutan has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to protect women and children from violence and abuse. With the inauguration of a Women and Child Protection Desk (WCPD) in Lhuentse, the country now boasts nationwide coverage of protection desks, ensuring access to vital services in all 20 districts.

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), with support from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), established these desks at main police stations in every district and three WCPU in urban centers. These units address issues such as violence, exploitation, trafficking, and child protection violations. Alongside Lhuentse, new desks were set up in Gasa and Pemagatshel this year.

The initiative began in 2007 with the establishment of the first Women and Child Protection Unit at Thimphu Police Station. Since then, over 12,654 women and 3,748 children, survivors of gender-based violence, have received support. These desks provide assistance ranging from medical treatment and shelter referrals to psychosocial support and, in some cases, facilitating school admissions for children.

Speaking at the event, Colonel Phub Gyaltshen, RBP, emphasized the importance of the achievement. “The establishment of Women and Child Protection Desks in all 20 districts is a indication to our unwavering commitment to protect the well-being of women and children across the nation. These desks play a crucial role in providing a safe and supportive environment,” he said.

UNICEF Bhutan Representative Andrea James commended the RBP’s efforts, highlighting the desks’ life-saving impact. “These services offer vulnerable women and children hope and resilience to rebuild their lives. UNICEF remains committed to supporting the RBP to sustain this achievement and make homes, communities, and institutions safe for all,” she said.

The success of this initiative will be strengthened by specialized training for police officers to professionally manage cases involving Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL). Efforts will also focus on strengthening collaboration between the justice sector and social services, including organizations like The PEMA, RENEW, and Nazhoen Lamtoen.
UNICEF and its partners will further enhance rehabilitation programs for CICLs, promoting their reintegration into communities while ensuring they receive the resources needed to reduce reoffending.