Acid test

Women legislators from across the political spectrum have united behind the Acid Control and Acid Prevention Bill 2010, which a National Assembly standing committee has recommended should be implemented. The law, which lays down far tougher penalties for the perpetrators of acid crimes, was originally proposed by the PML-Q’s Marvi Memon. Women MNAs believe it could have a significant impact on reducing the growing incidents in which corrosive substances have been hurled on victims, most often women, leaving them badly disfigured and, in some cases, blinded for life. It is apparent that we need to take action against this crime — which has often been carried out to settle the most petty scores or to take revenge over perceived slights related to matrimonial issues. Beyond the horrific tragedy involved in the act itself, we should also think about what such acts say of the society we live in and the inhumanity that festers within it.

There is little doubt that the law is urgently needed. Much, however, depends on its implementation. As far as the statute books go, there are already restrictions on the sale of acid and other similar substances. Yet almost everywhere in the country they can be bought without restriction. A similar pattern exists in the matter of other crimes, notably those committed against women. Despite the presence of laws, those carrying out honour killings, rape and other offences only infrequently end up behind bars. The introduction of laws is important. But the passage of legislation needs to be combined with many other measures to make society a safer place for women. These range from the implementation of laws to greater empowerment of women.

It is, of course, a positive step that women legislators from all parties have combined forces to back the bill. This is one advantage of having more women in assemblies. But we hope that the men from their parties will also back the law. Violence against women is not an issue only for women, but for every responsible member of society.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2011.