LAHORE – On 12 February 1983, women were the first to publicly challenge General Zia-ul-Haq’s military dictatorship and the ‘Islamisation’ of Pakistan. The impetus to protest was the proposed Law of Evidence which reduced the value of a woman’s testimony to half than that of a man. The state responded violently. Despite the baton charge, tear gas shelling and massive arrests, the women fought back and stood firmly on their position.
Rejecting General Zia’s use of Islam as a political ploy to consolidate his position in power, Women’s Action Forum (WAF) continue to demand for the repeal of ‘retrogressive’ laws that specifically target women and non-muslim minorities such as the Hadood ordinances 1979, particularly the Zina Ordinance, the Law of Qisas and Diyat, including changes in Articles 295 C and Section 123 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1986 and 1992, along with the proposed 9th and 15th constitutional amendments.
Not only do these laws transform women and minorities into second class citizens in their own country, the changes in the penal code call into question the integrity of all Pakistani citizens even as they undermine basic human rights tenets or the freedom to think, to question and the freedom of expression, WAF believes.
Women Action Forum (WAF) believes that women’s rights in particular and peoples’ rights in general, including the rights of minorities and other marginalised groups, can be ensured only in societies that are peaceful, secular and democratic, both nationally and regionally.
28 years down the road, WAF along with partner organisations and groups, stands by its position and demands that the government repeal the laws imposed by Zia and his political heirs. They also urge the government to take action against groups and individuals who incite others to violence and murder and by doing so are creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.
