International day for elimination of violence against women: 'government must pass laws to prevent domestic violence'

The government must pass legislation to prevent domestic violence, and protect all workers from exploitation, violence and bondage, and regularise most unprivileged members of society engaged in informal sectors, including domestic workers and home-based workers, for their empowerment.
This was demanded by the women rights advocates during a media forum held here under the banner of the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) and Pakistan Gender Coalition (PGC) to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Speaking on the occasion, a women rights activist, Amna Ehsan, said: "Violence is a gross violation of human rights, but regrettably there is a general acceptance of gender-based violence, therefore the majority of people do not recognise its many forms as a crime in Pakistan, but rather consider it an integral part of the culture and the fate of women. When the state fails to prosecute the perpetrators, it not only encourages further abuse, but government's inaction gives the impression that male violence against females is acceptable."
A lawyer, Ayesha Rafiq, said: "Violence against women is more problematic in Pakistan, as the existing monitoring system has loopholes, therefore it doesn't address the issue in an effective manner. Along with legislation to deal with various forms of violence against women, the government must take substantive measure to devise an efficient monitoring system for strict implementation of laws, and must train forces responsible for the implementation of laws protecting vulnerable groups."
The director of the AWAM, Nazia Sardar, said: "The government must prioritise the adoption of policy and preparation of a plan of action for the recognition of unregistered women workers engaged in informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, as part of labour force, and ratify ILO Convention No 177 on home-based workers and ILO Convention No 189 on domestic workers, and ensure its proper implementation so as to guarantee women's access to social security benefits." "The development of National Policy and Strategy on Ending Violence against Women and Girls, from prevention to rehabilitation phases, at the national, provincial and district levels are the need of the hour." "The federal and provincial governments must enforce existing pro-women laws and approve pending pro-women legislation such as Domestic Violence Bill, Comprehensive Acid Violence Bill, Early and Forced Marriages Bill, Reproductive Health Rights Bill, Home-Based Women Workers Social Protection Bill," she demanded.
A women rights activist, Shazia George, said: "Negative attitudes and inaccessible environment restrict persons with disabilities especially women with disabilities within the four walls of house. The patriarchal society does not allow women with disabilities to make progress and come out from their houses. Even this attitude make hostile environment for them at home and within society, which demoralises them as they feel being left out." "The criminal justice system must be strengthened through reforming the rules, procedures and police investigation, and sensitising law- enforcement agencies on dealing with cases of violence against females.