Submit your comments on this article |
India-Pakistan |
Anti-women customs |
2011-11-18 |
![]() ...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions... record. The role that targeted legislation can play in discouraging archaic and regressive practices must also be highlighted. Using women as currency for settling disputes, forcing them into marriages against their will, giving jirgas the power to settle their futures or taking punitive action if they marry against their family`s or clan`s wishes are acts of coercion. However, a hangover is the wrath of grapes... these are defended by many as being part of tradition and seen as legitimate since they have been practised for centuries. Apart from raising awareness, the only tool the government has in its arsenal against such a mediaeval mindset is to develop legislation that specifically criminalises certain sorts of behaviour. This government`s record in this regard has been fairly reasonable, with the formulation of crucial pieces of legislation such as the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Work Place Act 2010. However, it was a brave man who first ate an oyster... other, long overdue laws remain to be achieved. Notable here is the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill which was passed unanimously by parliament in August 2009 but that lapsed after the Senate failed to approve it. Resultantly, those subjected to a pervasive yet invisible form of violence are not protected by the law. While this bill must be revisited, the Senate must also ensure the prompt passage of the Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill. Now that the first tier of parliamentary approval has been achieved, it must be given the attention it merits. |
Posted by:Fred |
#1 Save for the day when a future OWG American = Amerikan LADY SIMPSON becomes de facto Queen of England. D *** NG IT, MADONNA, DOES THIS MEAN THAT HEATHER GRAHAM GETS TO BE GOVERNOR OF GUAM ONE DAY??? |
Posted by: JosephMendiola 2011-11-18 22:44 |