The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has finally passed the long-awaiting bill on domestic violence against women. Under this bill, passed on Friday, abuse against women by any family members will be a criminal offense. Any such acts can lead to a fine and one to five years imprisonment.
The act of domestic violence is not just confined to physical violence. As per the bill, the term encompasses sexual, economic, and psychological abuse. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2021 provides for the constitution of a six-member District Protection Committee to provide legal assistance, medical treatment, and shelter to the victims. A helpline will also be set up in this regard.
A petition has to be filed within 15 days of the crime against the perpetrator. The court will announce its verdict within two months. Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Dr. Hisham Inamullah Khan tabled the bill in the Assembly. He told that violation of the court order can result in a fine of Rs.300,000 and one-year imprisonment.
Notably, KP was the only province without any domestic abuse law. Domestic violence has been a criminal offense for many years in Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab. In 2018, the bill was tabled for the first time in the Assembly. However, it drew severe criticism from certain factions, mainly religious. The bill puts in place mechanisms for assessment and intervention.
This bill is a step in the right direction, but that’s not in it when it comes to eradicating domestic abuse. The rationale behind such actions needs to be tackled. Moreover, the system needs to be strengthened enough so there is no chance of the perpetrators roaming around unscathed. From the concerning government department to the service providers, every official should collaborate on information sharing and ensuring safety for the victim.
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