LAHORE(PR)The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) rejects the Council of Islamic Ideology’s (CII) proposed ‘model’ bill for the protection of women and condemns it as unconstitutional, illegal and in complete violation of women’s rights and fundamental human rights.
The CII’s
proposal contravenes fundamental rights available to women in the Constitution
of Pakistan as well as violates international laws and treaties Pakistan has
signed and is bound by. In light of Article 25 of the Constitution that upholds
equality of all citizens before the law, the proposed bill adds no value to the
rights of women.
The CII bill
contains some 163 recommendations addressing property, marriage, motherhood,
crimes and violence against women among others. On the one hand, it proposes
absolutely unintelligible advice such as allowing men to “lightly beat their
wives” and banning co-education past the primary level, on the hand it makes a
desperate attempt to appeal to the women of Pakistan by claiming to uphold
women’s rights enshrined in shariah
law. It promises that women will be allowed to enter into a contract of
marriage without a guardian’s permission, seek khula; bans dowry and Vani among others. It is worth noting that
all of the rights that the CII pretends to grant women under women’s protection
bill are already enshrined in the laws Pakistan is constitutionally bound to
adhere to.
Perhaps, one of
the more ridiculous advice the CII aspires to get codified in law concerns women’s
dealings in politics, by saying that “Women will not be permitted to receive
foreign officials and state guests”. The PCSW urges all concerned citizens and
government bodies to reject the bill as unconstitutional and redundant. The
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), to which Pakistan is one of the signatories, states, “The full and
complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of
peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all
fields.” Not only does such a law impinge on the rights of women but it also
reverses rights gained over a century through a process of evolution of
fundamental rights and freedoms. By negating already existing laws, it further
undermines the position of Pakistan in the global comity of nations.
The CII’s draft
bill reduces the rigorous efforts made by the government to protect the rights
of women to nothing. It further treats women as legal minors and properties of
men by prescribing that women need to be instructed in all matters of life. It
takes away from women’s fundamental freedoms and impinges on their bodily
rights. According to the CII, a woman must always wear hijab if she decides to receive education at a co-educational
institution; she should not be allowed to mix with members of the opposite sex,
she cannot appear in advertisements because they are ‘vulgar’, and if she is a
nurse she should not be tending to male patients. The CII, according to the
bill it has proposed, does not wish that women have any control over their
bodies because at most, women are weaklings and hence, somehow not worthy of
making their own decisions. And hence, it proposes,
·
Mothers must breastfeed for two
years
·
Ban on advertisements baby formula/substitutes
for breast milk
·
A woman cannot use contraception
without the husband’s permission
·
An abortion after 120 days will be
classified as murder
·
Women should not be forced into
difficult, 'labour-intensive' work
·
Ban on women from taking part in
military combat
It dispenses all of this advice
without the need to clarify or substantiate its claims. Women today, not just
in Pakistan but all over the world have excelled in every walk of life. From
accomplishing the most physically challenging of tasks to running governments
and big corporations, there is nothing that women have not been able to
accomplish. Moreover, Pakistan is among one of the few nations in the world,
who has had a female head of the state. CII appears to have forgotten the roles
played by eminent women such as Fatima Jinnah, Begum Ra’anaLiaquat Ali Khan,
MaleehaLodhi and current ministers SairaTarar, Anushay Rahman, HameedaWaheed-ud
Din. CII’s position would be in all respects, a huge step back from the
progress that has been made to date.
The
PCSW, since its inception in 2014 has made relentless efforts for women’s
empowerment and elimination of gender-based discrimination, and it stands by
its commitment to ensure the full participation of
women in all spheres of national life as guaranteed by Article 34 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
330 Ramadan Bazaar will start working from 3 June in Punjab on daily basis : Dr. Farukh Javed
LAHORE(PR)Provincial Minister Agriculture Dr. Farukh Javed said that 330 Ramadan Bazaar will start working from 3 June in Punjab on daily basis and preparation has been completed in this regard. He said that consumers will get exemplary relief under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab. Agriculture Minister said that Punjab Government has announced Ramadan package of worth five billion rupees for which people will get quality and cheap edible products in all over the Punjab. He told that 250 million rupees will be allocated during Ramadan for crafting agriculture fair price shops which is also an exemplary step. He informed that all ministers, assembly members, secretaries and district government will remain active in the Ramadan field like past years and providing relief to the consumers will be assured in this way. Dr. Farukh Javed expressed these views while presiding over the meeting in his office, here today. In the occasion he told the meeting that 2000 price control magistrates will perform their duties during Ramadan against hoarders and illegal profiteers. He said in the meeting that during Ramadan 2000 Madni Dastarkhawans will be setup for aftari of deserving persons. He further told the meeting that subsidy will be provided in Ramadan on 19 edible items which include flour, sugar, ghee, edible oil, eggs, lentils and gram flour. Agriculture Minister in the occasion told that utility stores will be setup in Ramadan and all essential items for Sehr-o-Aftar will be available there. He expressed the aim that edible prices will be available at low cast during Ramadan and quality of the products will not be compromised. Minister Agriculture has also instructed that prices of products will remain stable in Ramadan Bazaars. Dr. Farukh Javed while talking to the administration said that this task will be completed with missionary spirit because this duty is not less than worship.
0 comments:
Speak up your mind
Tell us what you're thinking... !