Govt drafts policy on violence against women, girls

Legislation protects against gender-based violence and honour killing

ISLAMABAD: A model policy on violence against women and girls has been drafted to help address all forms of violence against them as well as honour killing.

Remedial measures have been proposed in this draft policy which would help promote women's rights in the country.

Also a model policy on Home Based Workers (HBW) including women has been drafted to recognise and accept HBWs through legislative and administrative action, accord legal equality, focus on their needs, concerns and demands, sources at Human Rights Division said.

The sources said the government gives immense importance to protection of women rights in the country and has taken steps in this regard.

Under legislatives reforms, the major laws have been promulgated including: Criminal Law (Offences relating to Honour Killing) Act, 2016, Hindu Marriage Act, 2017 and Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Act, 2018. Board of Governors of the Fund has recently been notified to operationalize the fund.

30 women killed in the name of honour in 2018: report

The Bills under process are: Legal Aid and Access to Justice Authority Bill, 2019, Christian Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2019.

The sources said National Action Plan to improve human rights situation in the country prepared by Ministry of Human Rights is being implemented in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The plan sets protection and empowerment of women as a priority area for interventions including national policy guidelines on Gender Based Violence; review of all discriminatory legislation against women, establishment of new crisis centres for women and strengthening of existing centres /services at district level.

A helpline 1099 which operates throughout Pakistan has been established to offer legal advice, redressal and referral mechanism, the sources said and added a group of 213 pro bono lawyers have been registered with the Helpline from all over the country to provide legal assistance.

It also conducted national training throughout Pakistan for sensitisation and capacity building of prosecutors and court officials on women specific laws by creating awareness and responsiveness.

The other step included: Shelter home, Family Protection and Rehabilitation Centre and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Centres for Women in Islamabad provide free legal, psychological and medical aid to women victims of violence including women having fear of honour killing; Commemoration of national and international days to raise awareness among public regarding women's rights.

Besides, independent national and provincial Commissions on Status of Women (except Balochistan) have been established to monitor women rights in the country.

A research study has also been carried out to review and identify legal provisions for harmonisation of legislation in line with constitution of Pakistan, international commitments and human rights obligations and to provide recommendations for subordinate legislation to be enacted/amendments in the PPC and CrPC.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2019.