Beginning of a Commitment
Dastak started as a shelter project by Advocate Hina Jilani of AGHS Legal Aid Cell, a Lahore–based human rights organisation.
About Us
Dastak Charitable Trust is a center for access to justice for women, girls, children and all individuals facing violation of their rights on the basis of gender. The institution runs with the mission to make available adequate protection and support services to them in situations of crisis, including provision of emergency shelter for women and girls, legal aid and other necessary interventions to ensure their protection and rehabilitation. Dastak also undertakes advocacy and training activities to improve mechanisms, practices and processes for their protection from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. This institution has pioneered and popularized the concept of “Protection with Dignity©” and applies it to all its policies and activities.
EVOLUTION
Since 1990
1990
1996
Project to Institution
Dastak became an independent institution and was registered as a charitable trust. Its crisis management services continued to be offered jointly with AGHS.2010
Expanded its Mandate
Started only as a shelter, Dastak added advocacy and capacity building to its mandate.2015
Elected New Chairperson
After the passing of Dastak’s founding Chair Tahira Mazhar Ali, Neelam Hussain was elected as the new Chairperson of the Board.2016
Single Window Operation
With support from Oxfam and BMZ Germany, Dastak shifted its operations to a self-owned, purpose built premises bringing its crisis management, shelter and advocacy services under one roof. Previously, its activities were split between AGHS and Dastak.
2017
Child Rights Unit
Dastak added children as a focus to its protection activities and took over the Child Rights Unit (CRU), previously functioning under the AGHS Legal Aid Cell.2021
Center for Access to Justice
Today Dastak operates as a center for access to justice for women, girls, children and all individuals facing violation of their rights on the basis of gender.2023
Dastak certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP)
Dastak certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP)
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