Consultation on Domestic Violence Bill and National Policy for Home-based-workers
SPO organized a consultation on January 9th 2014 to finalize the draft Domestic Violence (DV) Bill and National Policy for Home Based Workers (NPHBW) in collaboration with MOLJ&HR by inviting relevant stakeholders who have background and knowledge about the areas covered under Bill and Policy. The purpose of the consultation was to highlight the gaps in the bill on domestic violence and the process of its approval and to recommend changes in favor of women in the two documents (DV Bill and NPHBW).
Consultation was attended by more than 80 participants from Government and Civil Society Organizations. Director General Human Rights Wing opened the consultation with welcome note. Ms. Riffat Butt, Legal Expert, and Ms. Um-e-Laila Azhar, Executive Director, Home Net, National Commission on the Status of Women, presented the draft Bill on Domestic Violence highlighting its main features and National Policy on Home-based Workers (NPHBWs) respectively.
Civil society, after appreciating the efforts of Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights for calling this consultation, identified some lacunas and gaps in the Bill and Policy and gave suggestions for improvement and making bill and policy in line with demand and needs of the society.
Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson, National Commission on the Status of Women welcomed the input of civil society and clarified the questions raised by civil society. She also assured that their valuable and relevant input/ comments would be incorporated in the Bill and Policy.
Mr. Naseer Memon, Chief Executive, Strengthening Participatory Organization appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights for women development and empowerment. The consultation was a continuation of SPO’s efforts, after signing a MoU with Ministry of Law, for promotion of human rights.