Law on violence against women

Kudos to the lawmakers in Pakistan’s largest province of Punjab for giving an unprecedented protection to female victims of violence, in a bid to stem rising gender-related abuse. It is most depressing to see humans behave so inhumanely against women who comprise half of all humanity. Though violence against women has been criminalised in Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) which is a federal law, the instances of violence against women have been on the rise, primarily because the existing legal system does not effectively address the menace and violence by some is perpetrated with impunity. Muslim-majority Pakistan, home to roughly 190 million people, sees thousands of cases of violence against women every year, from rape and acid attacks to sexual assault, kidnappings and so-called “honour killings”. One must remember that no law can be effective unless there is a realisation in society of the need for equality and justice.

VINOD C DIXIT

Ahmedabad, India