In Pakistan, the women’s access to property, education, employment etc. remains considerably low as compared to men. the social and cultural context of pakistani society is predominantly patriarchal.
The educational status of pakistani women is among the lowest in the world. the literacy rate for urban women is more than five times the rate for rural women. The school drop-out rate among girls is very high (almost 50 percent), while nationally the educational achievements of female students are higher as compared with male students at different levels of education
Around 90% of the pakistani households are headed by men and most female-headed households belong to the poor strata of the society.. Women lack ownership of productive resources. Despite women’s legal rights to own and inherit property from their families, there are very few women who have access and control over these resources
The violence against women in pakistan is a major problem. rape is one of the most common crimes against women followed by trafficking, bride burning, domestic violence, acid throwing, head & eyebrow shaving etc.
BARDASHT has always focused on the development of economic empowerment of women. The organization’s major project; The Women Skill Development centre , tarnol; aims at providing technical and innovative skills to the women of the region in order to empower them. Display centre has been set up for women in order to enable them to generate income in the domestic sphere. few of the statistics mentioned below are shared to high-light the sensitivity of the said issue:
PRO-WOMEN LEGISLATIONS
BARDASHT strongly stands for women’s rights and has been on the forefront for women protection legislations. The Chairperson, Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar has lobbied extensively for progressive legislations for women. A major breakthrough was achieved when the first progressive gender-based legislation on honor killing was steered in 2004 by Senator Bakhtiar when she was the Minister for Women Development. Most notable recent laws passed with respect to women protection and empowerments are:
THE WOMEN’S PROTECTION
It was passed by the national Assembly of pakistan on 15 november 2006. It was an attempt to amend the heavily criticized Hudood ordinance laws which govern the punishment for rape and adultery in pakistan.
THE PROTECTION AGAINST HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE WORKPLACE ACT (2010) It gives protection to women against sexual harassment at work place while describing the complaint mechanism, inquiry procedure and the penalties. It also lays down a code of conduct at the workplace.
THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ACT 2010
It has introduced an amendment in S 509 of p.p.c and lays down a punishment of three years along with fine of five thousand rupees for offence of sexual harassment.
THE PREVENTION OF ANTI-WOMEN PRACTICES ACT (2011)
Amendments in p.p.c have been introduced for prohibition against forced marriages, marriages with Quran, depriving a female from inheritance and giving away female in Vani or Swara. Moreover, provincial governments shall not suspend, remit or commute punishment awarded in rape cases. punishment for the above offences ranges from maximum of 10 and 7 years to the minimum of 5 to 3 years. The amount of the fine ranges from rupees one million to rupees five hundred thousand.
THE PREVENTION OF ANTI-WOMEN PRACTICES ACT (2011)
Amendments in p.p.c have been introduced for prohibition against forced marriages, marriages with Quran, depriving a female from inheritance and giving away female in Vani or Swara. Moreover, provincial governments shall not suspend, remit or commute punishment awarded in rape cases. punishment for the above offences ranges from maximum of 10 and 7 years to the minimum of 5 to 3 years. The amount of the fine ranges from rupees one million to rupees five hundred thousand.
THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ACT 2011 (PREVENTION OF ACID CRIMES INCIDENTS)
mendment in S 332 & 336 of p.p.c, making act of Acid throwing an offence punishable with life imprisonment and fine of one million rupees
THE WOMEN IN DISTRESS AND DETENTION FUND (2011).
This Act has introduced amendment in Women in Distress and Detention Fund Act 1996, to extend financial and legal assistance to the women languishing in jails on account of different allegations and those who are faced with extreme hardships.
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN ACT (2012).
This Act has made the commission autonomous with the power to raise its own finances while maintaining a separate and independent account. the commission can take notice of the violations of the women’s rights and it can hold inquiry into the matter. It can also summon any person or body for this, having powers of the civil court. It can gather information and maintain its data base regarding the cases of violence against women across the country. It can make its rules in consultation with the federal Government and can recommend the signing or ratification of the international instrument