Implementation of women laws only way to ensure relief

ISLAMABAD: The Federal government has done a number of legislative measures for protecting of women and child rights in the country in last four years said an official of Human Rights here on Monday.

Pakistan was among one of the country which had taken strong measures for ensuring rights of marginalized segments in last few years besides signing a number of international treaties and conventions related to Human Rights (HR), he said.

"If women are not economically stable and reforms in courts system is ensured, grievances of vulnerable groups could not be addressed", he remarked.

As first step legislation on key issue of child marriages, acid throwing, domestic violence etc. has been done but to counter the issue of implementation, National Action Plan has been introduced for the first time.

After 18th amendment, women and children issue was a subject of provinces and the responsibility of federal government was just to monitor them, he informed.

The official stated that they had directed all provinces to submit their strategy plan for implementation, initiated an awareness campaign on HR education and mechanism to access them through electronic and print media to get results in least possible time.

The timing of Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR) helpline 1199, has been increased from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm and within a month more steps would also be taken under hand holding concept, follow up of complains, providing free lawyers etc. to facilitate people.

Giving details of laws introduced by federal government for ensuring rights of women in last three years, an official of ministry of HR informed that it included Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (Amendment) Bill, 2014, Hindu Marriage Bill, 2015,Anti-Rape Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2013 and Anti Honour Killing Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2014.

The provincial assemblies, he stated, made eight laws for the protection of rights of women in last three years including Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013 by Government of Sindh.

The next one is Elimination of Custom of Ghag Act 2013 enacted by Government of KPK. Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act 2014. The Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2014.

KPK Deserving Widows and Special Persons Foundation Act, 2014, The Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act, 2014, Hindu Marriage Act, 2016 by Government of Sindh, The Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Bill, 2015.

Measures of Federal and Provincial Governments undertaken for protection of the rights of child since July, 2013, he told APP that the Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2015 has recently been enacted.