Pat on the back: ‘Protection from violence implies no gender war’

Passage of Protection of Women Against Violence law celebrated.

LAHORE:

“We faced a lot of resistance to the Protection of Women Against Violence law which shows that the bill covers all forms of violence against women. This is not a war between men and women. Women who perpetuate violence will be penalised under the law,” Adviser to the Chief Minister Salman Soofi said on Thursday.

He said the law provided for a comprehensive implementation strategy. He said ambulances and legal and police help would be provided at protection centres.

“I would like to request our religious leaders to discuss their reservations with us clause by clause,” he said.

He was speaking at an event organised by Aurat Foundation. Speakers at the event talked about the years of struggle behind the passage of the bill. The atmosphere was festive at Khursheed Hall at Avari Hotel where parliamentarians and representatives celebrated passage the law.

“Our effort towards legislation started in 2002 and in subsequent years it was taken up in the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies by various lawmakers,” said Mumtaz Mughal, Aurat Foundation resident director.

She said the civil society had continued advocacy for the bill despite under successive governments.

“I would like to pay a tribute to all the women in the Punjab Assembly who rose above party lines to vote for the bill,” said Mughal.

Aurat Foundation CEO Naeem Ahmed Mirza said Faiza Malik from the Pakistan People’s Party and Nosheen Hamid from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) were among those who had taken the bill forward.

He said Azma Bukhari from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had played a pivotal role in ensuring the passage of the bill. He said the law would prevent all forms of violence against women by dealing with circumstances that led to heinous crimes such as acid attacks and honour killing.

He said 90 countries across the world had laws against domestic violence, including Saudi Arabia.

“When will the Council of Islamic Ideology understand that the world has changed?” he said.  He said the bill provided a comprehensive framework for the protection of women.

Minister for Population Welfare and Environment Zakia Shahnawaz said there was a misconception that the PML-N was a women-friendly party. “This legislation has proved how wrong that is. It is because of the chief minister that this law was passed,” she said.

Talking to The Tribune, MPA Hameeda Wahidud Din said the law had provided a mechanism for protection of women.

She said apart from protection centres, committees would be constituted at district levels. She said committee officers would be responsible for mediation.

MPA Mary Gill said most of the reservations against the bill were about a tracking bracelet on the accused. She said it was meant to be used only in case of repeat offenders. She said it would act as a deterrent. She said the legislature had taken an important stand against a social evil.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2016.