Sharmila hails Domestic Violence Bill 2012

Karachi, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister for Media, Sharmila Farooqui said on Tuesday that women, children and other vulnerable persons in Pakistan have now got a landmark achievement of their safety with the passage of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2012.

The bill will help stop all physical or psychological tortures and acts against women, children and other vulnerable persons. The passage of the bill is also a great achievement of the government, all coalition partners and supporters. The PPP s democratic government has always given top priority to women and children to lead the country towards new era of social development, she said in a statement.

Sharmila said with the passage of bill, affected women and children or their authorized persons could now move court against violence committed on them to get swift justice. She asked people belonging to all segments of society to adopt positive approach and stop atrocities and violence against women and children in this new era of development. There is need to forget old customs against women in order to bring good for families and children. If a single woman is affected, then whole family is affected, she observed.

The present democratic government had made a pledge to empower women and safeguard children, and now it has ensured that. The women have now
got due status in Pakistan society, she said. Islam has given judicious rights to women, so they could now perform their duties in safe atmosphere and respect. Those harassing women and committing violence against them will face severe punishment, she asserted.

She said: Time has come now that women break silence against atrocities and discrimination, and fight for their rights. Islam has also given them rights equal to men. She hailed all political parties for supporting the bill and adopting reconciliation approach introduced by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. Advisor also congratulated women and children on this vital success.

Sharmila said Pakistani women and girls are talented and they could play a great role in socio-economic development, so it is the need of hour to encourage them at every level in the society. This will help in brightening the future of children and boost national development, she concluded.