Women’s protection

The religious right has termed the Protection of Women against Violence Bill 2015 un-Islamic. In our country, religion is infused with politics to achieve political gains by the clergy. When discussing the bill, we should focus on what this bill means. Was this bill passed to create an egalitarian society where men and women are treated as equals or is it just another political gimmick to win the next election? How will this bill affect our family system?

Violence against women is a reality in our society. Age-old cultural values and behaviour cannot be changed just by passing a law. We need strict implementation of the law in order to see social and behavioural change. Our government needs to understand that for a modern, stable and functional society, we need to educate people so that they can judge right from wrong. And the role of the clergy is also important in this regard.

Rehan Ali

Islamabad