Lethargic and biased implementation of laws in Pakistan has been the core problem
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to the recent passage of the Domestic Violence Bill in Balochistan. According to research conducted in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, 94 per cent of married women suffered from physical violence during the previous year. The most common form of violence used by husbands was psychological violence. Given this scenario, the passage of the bill is a much welcome step for the empowerment and protection of women’s rights in a conservative society; a society where women do not have the right to speak for themselves and are largely considered to be inferior to men.
Prior to Balochistan, Sindh was the only province whose provincial assembly had passed such a bill against domestic violence. The step by the provinces should, of course, be lauded but the lethargic and biased implementation of laws in Pakistan has been the core problem. In the wake of a dire need to address such issues — both of domestic violence and non-implementation of laws — the government needs to gear into action. Moreover, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab also need to address the issue of domestic violence. The absence of such laws in both the provinces is simply legitimising violence against women in general.
M Mudabbir Maajid
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2014.
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issues — both of domestic violence and non-implementation of laws — the government needs to gear into action. Moreover, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab also need to address the issue of domestic violence. The absence of such laws in both the provinces is simply legitimising violence against women in general.
M Mudabbir Maajid
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
