Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) have collaborated to promote women’s empowerment through a four-week Policy Traineeship Programme designed to bridge the gap between academic research and policy implementation. The initiative, led by the LUMS Centre for Business and Society (CBS), brought together researchers, students, and policymakers to address the challenges surrounding women’s protection and policy delivery in Punjab through data-driven and survivor-centred approaches.
The programme focused on fostering practical learning and policy innovation by combining theoretical understanding with hands-on experience in the public sector. Participants were given the opportunity to work on real-world projects that explored new ways of using technology and evidence-based methods to improve services for women in need of protection. Among the key outcomes of the traineeship were the development of a digital case management system and the creation of a comprehensive policy report that offers actionable recommendations for strengthening institutional responses to gender-based violence and enhancing coordination among relevant agencies.
At the closing ceremony of the programme, Dr. Muhammad Adeel Zaffar, Dean of the Suleman Dawood School of Business at LUMS, and Kalsoom Saqib, Director General of PWPA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the ongoing collaboration between the two institutions. The MoU highlights a shared commitment to advancing evidence-based policymaking, institutional capacity building, and the adoption of digital tools that support the protection and empowerment of women. Dr. Zaffar commended the participants and expressed his confidence that the partnership would serve as a model for other institutions seeking to link academia with policy reform.
The Director General of PWPA, Kalsoom Saqib, emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with academic institutions to strengthen the Authority’s work in protecting women and ensuring their access to justice and support services. She noted that partnerships with educational institutions like LUMS enable the Authority to leverage research insights and data-driven solutions that enhance the effectiveness of policy interventions. The newly developed digital case management system, she added, represents a step forward in streamlining case tracking and improving transparency within protection services.
This initiative marks another milestone in LUMS’s ongoing efforts to apply academic expertise to address pressing social challenges through collaboration, research, and innovation. By integrating public policy education with practical engagement, the Policy Traineeship Programme not only provided participants with meaningful exposure to the policymaking process but also contributed directly to strengthening institutional frameworks for women’s protection in Punjab. The partnership between LUMS and PWPA stands as an example of how academic and government collaboration can foster inclusive development and promote digital and policy advancements for social empowerment.
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