‘Women law to bring in change in society’

LAHORE

The Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016 has been passed after a long struggle of the women parliamentarians sitting in the Punjab Assembly.

The civil society organisation has also played a dynamic role in this regard so this law is not only a landmark in the parliamentary history of Punjab but it will also bring about a change in the lives of  violence stricken women of our society. This long struggle of women is not being acknowledged by some groups who have anti-women mindset and considering this pro-women law against the teaching of Islam and Constitution of Pakistan. 

These views were expressed by the women parliamentarians of the Punjab Assembly. They included MPAs Faiza Malik , PPP Farzana Butt, PML-N Nasreen Nawaz, PTI Sadia Sohail and  PML-N Nousheen Hamid who addressed the event organised by the South Asia Partnership–Pakistan under the theme “Empowered women-Peaceful society'' to observe International Women Day.The event was dedicated to the long struggle of women parliamentarians of the Punjab Assembly across all the political parties. A tribute was also paid to the achievements of women at large on Women’s Day. The celebration was held at a local hotel on Thursday. The focus of the event was Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016 as an achievement of women. Speakers expressed their views on various aspects of the Women Protection Law and emphasised the formulation of an effective and practical implementation mechanism including the followup and strict monitoring system.  

Faiza Malik said anti-women mindset is creating a negative image and environment  against this Act whereas this Bill was passed after the consensus building by the MPAs across all the political parties. She maintained that those who are opposing the law have not even gone through this Act. She suggested that the government must allocate funds to establish the protection centres which have been promised in this Act. She demanded the government not to amend this Act under any pressure by the Council of Islamic Ideology. 

Nousheen Hamid, talking on the issue of political participation of women, said this is very essential in a man dominating society where male neither gives any space to woman nor does he consider women’s political and legal rights. ''So women themselves should struggle to get seats in the parliaments and amplify their voices for their rights'', she added. Sadia Sohail said the Women Protection Act is not a husband-wife act which is being propagated by the reactionary groups and religious scholars. This Act is for the entire family members and even women who beats or tortures any other family woman will be punished under the PPCso this law provides protection to all the family members, Farzana Butt and Nasreen Nawaz said. 

Peter Jacob, a representative of minorities, said in his speech that Pakistan is bound to implement the international conventions and commitments which are signed by our states and governments. He highlighted the importance of implementation mechanism and said without this mechanism this legislation will not be useful for the women. He said after the enactment of the Women Protection Law, the domestic violence is no more a domestic matter within the four walls of the homes but  now this is a legal matter and is considered as an criminal offence under the PPC. He  expressed deep concern that the law enforcement agencies always consider  domestic violence against women as a family matter and hush up domestic violence cases because it was not an offence and such cases are   not reported at police stations but now the government should provide orientation  for the police personnel on the said law. 

The speakers expressed their concern over the degrading and insulting remarks being passed by some political parties and reactionary groups. They highlighted that the government must launch a public awareness campaign to educate masses and this should not only be urban-specific but trickle down at district, union council and village levels. Speakers suggested that Local Government system, councillors, women health  workers and Basic health Units can be effective tools for the outreaching the common man.