gender-based violence. The government has set up various other mechanisms to execute its constitutional and treaty obligations towards women. There are various institutional setups within the government structures that address and deal with issues of violence against women, and specifically, sexual violence and rape. These include the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Women Development Office and the Women and Children Service Centre. Beside these institutional setups, there are national human rights institutions such as National Human Rights Commission and National Women’s Commission that have been designated the role of monitoring, investigating and intervening in human rights violations. 6.5.1 Gender Based Violence (GBV) Unit at office of Prime Minister The Prime Minister’s Office launched the National Plan of Action declaring 2010 as the Year Against Gender-Based Violence primarily focusing on prosecution, protection, prevention and response to GBV. It also highlighted the need of a special commission to investigate violence against women. A hotline service (1111) has been started within the unit to operate as a complaint hearing mechanism. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is also in the process of establishing a national database on violence against women. A steering committee consisting of interministerial representatives has been formed. It monitors duplication and overlap and ensures utilization of resources and reviews the implementation of earlier decisions. It has also established short-term support service centres in 15 districts for survivors of gender-based violence and is planning to expand to other districts. Challenges Despite the progress, implementation challenges are hampering the success. The PMO should come up with a plan to make its initial steps against gender-based violence more sustainable. The hotline service WOREC
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