Bill regarding elimination of violence against women will soon be tabled

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din has said that the bill regarding elimination of violence against women will soon be presented in the provincial assembly. She said that government has given approval to the multidimensional policy and Law Department has completed its consultation with concerned departments and agencies before presenting law draft in the assembly.

She was addressing a function held under “White Ribbon Campaign” at Lahore College for Women University in connection with International Day for elimination of violence against women here today.

Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din said that Punjab Protection of Family Members from Violence Bill-2013 has been consulted with all stake-holders including Women Development Punjab, Law, Social Welfare, Education, Health, Police and other departments. She said that after the approval of anti-violence bill, protection committees will be constituted. She said that Women Protection Officer will have the powers to go in the house of a woman affected by violence and take immediate action against those creating hurdles.

She said that those creating hurdles in the official duty can be awarded six months imprisonment or five lakh rupees fine or both.

She disclosed that Punjab government will update the report of its action on website every week regularly and annual report will also be submitted to government. Provincial Minister said that after the approval of anti-violence bill, shelter homes and every Daarul Amaan will get the status of protection centres.

Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din said that awareness among the women about their rights is vital for eliminating violence against them. She said that the men will also have to play their due role in this campaign. She said that the women population of the country is 52 percent and the goals of development cannot be achieved without their active participation. She said that establishment of a separate department for women is a positive step and its credit goes to present government.

Vice Chancellor of Lahore College for Women University Dr. Sabiha Mansoor, Director Women Development Punjab Moeen Akhtar, Prof. Ijaz Ahmed, Director White Ribbon Campaign Umar Aftab and others threw light on the steps and need of elimination of violence against women.