The Hindu : International : Another law in offing for Pakistani women

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
ePaper


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International

International

Another law in offing for Pakistani women

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: It's raining laws for women in Pakistan. After bringing in amendments to the Hudood Ordinances, the ruling party on Monday showed it is serious about pursuing legislation to end forced marriages and ensure that women get their rightful share of family property.

Chaudhary Shujat Hussain, president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid), introduced the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill in the National Assembly, Parliament's lower House.

He had submitted the Bill to the National Assembly Speaker in November 2006, days after the Government pushed through amendments to the Hudood Ordinances, known as the Women's Protection Bill, despite political opposition from religious parties.

The fresh bill will go up to a parliamentary select committee that will finalise the draft of the proposed legislation.

"This bill will put an end to social, political excesses that are committed against the womenfolk of Pakistan," Mr. Hussain said as he introduced the legislation.

The ruling party views it as a "follow-up action" to the Hudood Ordinance amendments and part of President Pervez Musharraf's vision of "women's empowerment".

Among the customs the bill seeks to ban are vani, in which women, mostly under-age, are given in marriage to settle murder disputes; watta-satta in which brides are exchanged between two families, and; marrying off girls to the Koran, a practice often used to cut women out of their share of the family property. It also seeks action against those who deprive women of their inheritance or property rights.