Religious parties are trying to deceive the general public by implying that the Act will implicate all men
JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA: As expected, not one, not two, but all religious parties are out in the field to oppose the Women’s Protection Act, hurling all sorts of insults on Punjab Assembly members for the passing of a bill that they consider is in conflict with Sharia law. One religious leader was so frustrated that he began working on a men’s protection bill and is ready to pull out of the coalition government.
By opposing the Women’s Protection Act, I wonder, if he wants husbands to be permitted to physically, sexually and psychologically torture their spouses, beat and abuse them in private and public, threaten them of divorce and throw them out of the house, kill them in the name of family honour, deny their inheritance shares, treat them as commodities while settling family and tribal feuds, and insist and justify child marriages.
Religious parties are trying to deceive the general public by implying that the Act will implicate all men but why do they assume so? Men who actually respect women have nothing to be worried about. Sadly, this Act has given a rallying point to religious extremists but it’s good that it has also exposed them to the public. Their sole target is not to uphold religious teachings but to maintain centuries-old tribal traditions.
Masood Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2016.
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