Zero tolerance for violence against women

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Women Development Thursday emphasized zero tolerance for violence against women in all forms and manifestations as well as early adoption of the proposed bill to protect women against harassment at work place by the parliament. This would pave the way for establishing an institutional mechanism in this regard. The committee, met here under the Chairpersonship of Senator Mrs. Tahira Latif, also underscored the need for `change in attitudes' and `mindset' of the society particularly in the rural areas where bulk of the population lives. During the meeting Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman, Leader of the House in Senate, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Raza Rabbani as special invitee and members of the committee noted with concern that violence against women is so deep-rooted in society that intellectual debates at elitist fora alone would not be able to serve the purpose. The committee asked the government to provide more funds and staff to Ministry of Women Development for undertaking this venture. Sherry Rehman assured the body of her ministry's full cooperation to the Ministry of Women Development and other organizations working for the cause of women especially with regard to preparation of media campaign for sensitization. Sherry Rehman said during her tenure as the Minister Incharge of Ministry of Women Development, she invited women groups and NGOs to come up with a campaign and programme and she would use her good offices for screening the material on the private TV channels in addition to state-owned PTV. Judicious use of radio which has greater outreach was also suggested in the meeting in this regard. She further informed the meeting the government desired the Women Bill to be originated in the Senate and hoped the vetting/amendments being made by the Law Division would not defeat the original purpose of the Bill. The government would continue to accord priority to welfare of women in the country, she added. Earlier, the Committee was informed that consistent hard work and labour of six years has gone into the Draft Bill, aimed at eliminating violence and harassment at work places. Ministry of Women Development, women activists, NGOs, human rightsorganizations and other stakeholders have been consulted in all the four provinces of the country to improve and fine tune its contents. It covers both the formal and informal sectors and inter-alia seeks to bind every organization set-up a three-member regulatory body (at least one of whom would be a women), which would also be authorized to conduct inquiries while looking into complaints of harassment. The committee was also informed that office of Ombudsman would be created in second tier in this regard. The committee expressed its dismay and surprise over the disclosure that over 90 % prevalence of sexual harassment at factories particularly the garments, pharma industry, packaging, knit wear, brick kilns, domestic maid servants etc. These women would now have at least one effective channel to seek redressal, it was observed. Members of the committee including Senators Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari, Muhammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai, Mrs. Razina Alam Khan and Fauzia Fakhur-uz-Zaman also attended the meeting. Some members highlighted the need of proper mechanism and relevant clauses in the draft Bill.

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