Parliamentary procedures and political wrangling on non-issues in the parliament as well as the priorities of government are hampering the passage of Domestic Violence Bill (DVB). These views were expressed by speakers at a seminar "Facets of Violence, Community Response and Way Forward" organised by Sustainable Development Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with ActionAid Pakistan here on Friday.
The seminar was organised to commemorate the international Day of Human Rights in the context of raising awareness about various facets of violence, community ownership and realisation of problem at grass roots level. Speakers said that "Domestic Violence bill" has very closely been followed by National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) and other civil society organisations and demanded earlier passage of domestic violence bill from the parliament to end discrimination and violence against women.
The speakers at the seminar included Anis Haroon, Mome Saleem, Arifa Mazhar and testimonies were presented by the community groups and women from the remote areas. Mome Saleem spoke about the unconventional role of men in combating violence and community ownership of violence. She said that SDPI is conducting a research study aimed at highlighting the affirmative actions taken by the community at grass roots to combat violence against women. While citing an example of Community ownership technique she said that during the 1960s, the women's liberation movement began drawing attention to violence committed against women, and the Battered Women's Movement (BWW) began.
The roots of community mobilisation strategies to address domestic violence date back to the Battered Women's Movement. The Movement organised women at the grassroots level to address domestic violence in their communities. It raised awareness about patriarchal social structures that promote domestic violence and highlighted the need for social change, she opined.
Mome Saleem said that she came across many case studies, which embodied the principles of community ownership of Violence against women. Through a true interpretation of the religion and traditional values Pakistani society is conducive to the development of the community ownership; unfortunately this has not been explored. This research aims at giving policy input to ensure the implementation of the laws. Anis Haroon said that the provincial assemblies should be proactive in taking women friendly legislations forward and should push for legislation on domestic violence.
Tasleem Mazhar from ActionAid Pakistan highlighted various political factors, which have been posing great hindrance in the parliament especially, while progressive laws have to face when presented in the parliament. They also highlighted the yearlong struggle the organisation has undertaken at all levels to push the legislation and its implementation. Uzma Tahir, Policy expert on peace and conflict said, "Women are the most vulnerable segments and softest target in case of conflict and natural disaster. While highlighting the issue she said that every week girls' schools are burnt and the incidents are not even reported.
Shad Begum, a social activist from KPK said that women should be included in the peace building processes as well as in all rehabilitation strategies. She highlighted that women are not prioritised in the strategy, only trauma centres, which are a provision in the strategy, are not enough for rehabilitation which is focused on women, but some practical steps to empower women should be taken.