International Women’s Day: Gender-based bills hit snag in K-P Assembly

Lack of legislation highlighted at seminar organised by ‘Men Unite’.

PESHAWAR: Despite being tabled numerous times, three bills related to women’s rights await attention at the provincial legislature, said Men Unite National Coordinator Qamar Naseem at a seminar organised by the NGO at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday.

Speaking to The Express Tribune later, Naseem claimed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has turned a blind eye to women’s rights and has done little for the cause during its incumbency.

“It was the second time that the Early and Child Marriages Bill was presented. The same bill was tabled during the ANP government three years ago,” he said, adding the Sexual Harassment at Workplace and Domestic Violence bills also await attention.

“The government did legislate against honour killings but people are yet to benefit from the law due to a lack of awareness,” he said. “Even the police do not know how to proceed with cases of honour killing,” he maintained.

Naseem was of the view that both the federal and provincial governments should enforce stringent laws that empower women, protect their essential rights and promote social literacy.

Meanwhile, a radio play ‘Tohmat’ (blame) was also launched at the press club. A number of activists of various civil society organisations including End Violence Against Women, Tribal NGOs Consortium and Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network were present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2015.