Dissemination Event – Situational Analysis of Implementation of Pro Women Laws in Sindh”
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), organized two events on 14th of September and 22nd of the November 2017 in Karachi and Hyderabad to share the “Situation Analysis Report on Implementation of Pro Women Laws in Sindh” with members of the Provincial Assembly Sindh, Parliamentary Women Caucus, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Women Development Department, Police, legal aid providers, Social Welfare Department, Local Administration, Local Communities, UC Secretaries, Community Based Organizations and Media to advocate for improved services addressing the gaps in situational analysis would be developed through a consultative discussion with all the stakeholders.
The study identified implementation gaps (de facto and de jure) in pro-women laws of Sindh – Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013, Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013, Sindh Commission on the Status of Women Act 2015, and Criminal Law (Third Amendment) Act 2011, commonly known as Anti-Women Practices Act (AWPA). The study revealed that implementation structures and mechanisms of these laws were not completely put in place and without Standard Operating Procedures or Protocols there was lack of coordination between departments e.g. Social Welfare Department, Women Development Department and Police.
The research findings were then shared with relevant departments through formal letters addressed to the secretaries of Women Development Department, Social Welfare Department, Human Rights Department, Home Department and Health. Meetings were held response to the letters for collaborative to address gaps in implementation of pro women laws in Sindh. Chief Secretary of Sindh was also taken on board for response from government of Sindh to play role in addressing the issues of pro women legislation and implementation.
Guest Speakers of Event:
Syeda Shehla Raza – Former Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly
Shamim Mumtaz – Advisor to Chief Minister Social Welfare Department
Mudassir Iqbal – Secretary Women Development Department
Iftkhar Shellani – Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs Government of Sindh
Nuzhat Shrin – Chairperson, Sindh Provincial Commission on the Status of women (SCSW)
Anis Haroon – Member Sindh, National Commission on the Status of Women
Senator (R) Javed Jabbar – Chairperson SPO Board of Directors
Saleem Malik, Chief Executive, SPO.
Recommendations:
The Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 needs be amended to address the gaps and lacunas affecting implementation of the law.
Amendment needs to be made in Section 5 of Domestic Violence Act Prevention &Protection) Act-2013 to make offences cognizable, warrantable, bail-able in Schedule II of the Cr.PC.
Amendments need to be brought to the Anti-Women Practices Act 2011 to make offenses covered by the law cognizable under Schedule II of Cr.PC;
