Laws on eradicating child marriages and violence against women in Sindh not being implemented because of non-approval of business rules
Activists on Wednesday expressed reservations about delay in approval of business rules prerequisite for implementation of law against domestic violence and child marriage adopted by the Sindh Assembly in 2013.
During a dialogue, organized by Aurat Foundation and ActionAid, on implementation of laws on eradicating child marriages and violence against women in Sindh, they took strong exception to lack of will among the concerned authorities in sensitising stakeholders about relevance of the cited pieces of legislation.
Former Sindh High Court Judge Justice (r) Majida Rizvi, former National Commission on Women Status chairperson Anis Haroon and Aurat Foundation Resident Director Mehnaz Rehman highlighted the importance of these laws and sought special measures to facilitate the victims of injustice.
Women Development Department, Sindh Director Mussarat Jabeen, MPAs Saira Shahliani (PPP) and Rana Ather (MQM) along with Rubina Brohi and Farida Tahir discussed the efforts, spread over a period of five to eight years, for adoption of these laws by the assembly.
It was unanimously observed that besides early introduction of rules of business, concerted efforts were needed to sensitise members of judiciary, lawyers, police personnel and public in general about the laws.
Media was particularly called upon to realize its responsibilities towards the issue of public interest and ensure that issues that are major hindrance to the cause of social development are not sensationalised but duly highlighted so as to create awareness among the masses about their repercussions.
Sindh Secretary for Law Muhammad Aslam Shaikh on the occasion assured the activists that rules of business for relevant laws would soon be approved by the competent authority, which is the Sindh chief minister.
He also referred to steps taken by the department for incorporation of these into the judicial training programme for judges in the province.
MPA Rana Ather said that once the necessary approval was acquired, the two pieces of legislation would be put before the assembly for final endorsement and that their party members would ensure that these are immediately adopted and then implemented in letter and spirit.