It has been a long time in the making.
The National Commission on the Status of Women Bill, 2012, was finally passed in Senate without a single note of dissent. The bill was tabled by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.
“The commission will be independent and will have autonomous status with full financial and administrative powers,” Khokhar said. “Its fundamental functions will be to examine policies, programmes and other measures taken by the government for gender equality.”
Chairman Senate congratulated all the members of Senate on the sixth consecutive landmark women-specific legislation passed by Parliament in the last two years.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also congratulated members of both houses over the passage of the bill.
Efforts to have an autonomous body for women’s rights were first initiated over seven years ago by then chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women Justice Majida Rizvi. However, due to unknown reasons, the bill could not be passed in Parliament for over seven years.
After the 18th Amendment, the women’s commission was selected to remain a national entity in view of Pakistan’s international commitments, while the women’s ministry was devolved to the provinces. In light of the 18th Amendment, a new bill was drafted by Senator Raza Rabbani and was presented to the prime minister and the cabinet on behalf of the implementation commission for the 18th Amendment. The bill was approved on June 29, 2011.
After it was tabled in the National Assembly on October 13, 2011, the Human Rights Committee was asked to review and improve it.
The bill was passed by the National Assembly on January 19, with some amendments proposed by the Opposition and treasury members.
The commission will:
• Assess implementation and make suitable recommendations to concerned authorities considered necessary for effective impact
• Review all laws, rules and regulations affecting the status and rights of women
• Suggest repeal, amendment or new legislation essential to eliminate discrimination
• Sponsor, steer and encourage research to generate information
• Conduct dialogue with non-governmental organisations, experts and individuals in society
• Help facilitate and monitor implementation of international instruments and obligations affecting adult and minor females to which Pakistan is a signatory
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Yet another feather in the cap of secular coalition govt. Even though it is not a total solution of the injustices and evils but one step in the right direction. A man with only one leg after many attempts climbed the highest peak on the US West Coast. After his achievement they asked how did you do it? He replied "one hop at a time". Catch my drift? There is no quick fix of all evils, anybody who claims that is not telling the truth. It is a long hard struggle.
I think that still there is a core hurdle, as the bill did not say any thing about the "KARI".
Every one knows that Pakistan is among the the top listing countries where uncounted people have been killed by terming them "KARO-KARI".
And unfortunately, despite the fact that courts in the entire Pakistan are in function, the Jirga System comprising of illiterate people pass orders to kill the innocent women by terming them "KARI" and bypassing the judicial system of the country.
The question arises: how do we protect the women of Pakistan from terming her as "KARI"?
@John B: Are you deliberately being naive or what ... Although I am not a big fan of Sharia Law myself .. but lets not forget that our Prophet (PBUH) married a woman who was businesswoman at that time. Also, I am not sure what makes single out Peshawar, FYI, there are many lawmakers in senate from Peshawar, as per news item no one objected to this bill .... and there are many women in Provincial Govt & assembly in Peshawar as well.
I think this was the same bill which imran khan opposed earlier. Thanks to all our elected representatives to pass this much needed bill.
Did it pass Sharia compliant test or will it be considered unconstitutional in the sharia court. I am asking this seriously since all the efforts could go in vain , if some nonsense challenge is launched from Peshawar.
No matter how many bills we pass, as long as sitting members of our Parliament bury women alive and call it tradition. Nothing will change ...
Without a single vote of dissent? That wouldn't be the case if IK was in the senate