Activists have demanded an autonomous status for the National Commission on Women (NCW) in letter and spirit so as to facilitate those seeking justice under the law of Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace.
They said on Sunday that an autonomous status for the NCW could be a catalyst in strict implementation of the law that is a prerequisite for the protection of Pakistani women.
Advocate Rubina Brohi appreciated that a mechanism has been evolved under which all public and private sector organisations are required to constitute a three-member committee, including at least one woman, to investigate complaints made by victims.
“We, however, feel that there must be an autonomous body, empowered enough to address the genuine grievances of women who feel they are not being provided the needed justice,” she said.
In response to a query, she said that the courts might not be the appropriate forum because of the large number of pending cases.
“Moreover, our women are generally reluctant to approach the courts due to different reasons,” she added.
Another senior lawyer, Kulsoom Niazi, urged women to be confident enough to raise their voice when injustice is committed against them.
She said that female victims are often observed to be reluctant in making complaints in writing against their exploiters.
The bill itself has been adopted after a long struggle within the house, mentioned the activist Mehnaz Rehman. “Extra and meaningful measures are required for its implementation in the truest sense,” she said.
She urged the government for more gender balance in the government as well as in private organisations.
In their respective capacities, the activists were unanimous that the law was undeniably a major step towards recognition of women’s rights.
They hoped that the government, non-governmental organisations and media would play their role in bringing about a change in the mindset of the people towards working women in particular and women in general.
“It is expected that the law itself would also pave the way for creating a sense of respect of individuals as human beings,” said Advocate Rubina Soomro.
Mehnaz Rehman opined, “Our society has to learn to respect human beings without any distinction on the basis of gender, caste, religion or social status.”
