Wahab urges implemention of laws against gender-based violence

The Sindh government has enacted multiple legislations to curb social evils, including gender-based violence, but in order to be of any effect, these need to be implemented, stressed Sindh government spokesperson Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday, adding that the judiciary had an important role to play in this regard.

He expressed these view while speaking at a session on gender-based violence.

"Gender-based discrimination is a painful social reality," he said, emphasising the need to develop a deep understanding of the problem and trends of violence to address the issue. "This social evil can only be overcome if civil society, the government, legislature and judiciary all work together," he remarked.

Speaking on the importance of judiciary ensuring that laws against gender-based violence were implemented, he said, "If I know I will be punished for my wrongdoing, I would not do any wrong. But if accused are acquitted after ten years of trial, they would be encouraged [to get involved in criminal activities]."

He said the case of Arzoo Masih could be taken as an example in this regard.

"The Sindh Assembly passed a law against child marriages. The state got a case registered against the accused. But the judiciary, initially, denied [the request] to arrest the accused and instead, ordered [relevant authorities] to provide them protection," he commented. It was after the Sindh government appealed to the court again that the latter ordered Arzoo's recovery, he maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2020.