The Department of Gender Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, organized an awareness seminar in collaboration with Punjab Safe City Authority on the topic “Educating Students about PSCA’s Services.” The session focused on public safety measures, digital initiatives, and emergency response systems, particularly in the context of rising digital crimes affecting girls and women in Pakistan.

The seminar commenced with a welcome note by Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar, Chairperson of the Department, who appreciated the efforts of PSCA in addressing emerging safety challenges. She emphasized the importance of educating students about digital security and protective mechanisms, especially for women, in an increasingly technology-driven society.

Miss Sidra, In-charge (PSCA, VCCS & SC), provided a comprehensive overview of PSCA’s initiatives, highlighting the Virtual Center for Child Safety (VCCS) , a flagship project inaugurated by Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She explained how VCCS collaborates with key stakeholders such as Dar-ul-Aman, Child Protection Bureau Punjab, and Edhi Foundation to recover missing children using advanced AI-based tools. She also shared notable success stories and proudly mentioned that PSCA’s initiative “Mera Pyara” has been nominated for the prestigious WSIS Prizes 2026.

Miss Mubara, In-charge of the Virtual Women Police Station (VWPS), elaborated on its role in enhancing law enforcement capacity and ensuring timely response to emergencies and crime prevention. She highlighted key features such as the “Pink Button” and Emergency Helpline 15 (Extension 2), which provide immediate assistance and protection to women and girls across Punjab. She reiterated PSCA’s vision of building safe, peaceful, and prosperous cities through the integration of modern technology in policing.

Miss Essha Arshad, Media Producer at PSCA, discussed the organization’s awareness campaigns through electronic and social media, emphasizing the role of communication in promoting public safety and behavioral change.

The seminar witnessed active participation from faculty and students, who engaged enthusiastically in the session. Students expressed their commitment to act as Youth Ambassadors, aiming to disseminate PSCA’s message and promote awareness about safety services at a broader community level.

The event concluded with a shared understanding that collaboration between academia and public institutions is essential to address contemporary security challenges and to empower youth especially women with knowledge, awareness, and access to protective services.