Pakistan takes historic step on violence against women

17 November 2006

The vote of Pakistan's national assembly to amend the country's strict laws on rape and adultery has been welcomed by the President of PES Women Zita Gurmai. However, women’s rights in Pakistan are still very limited under the controversial Hudood Ordinance. If Pakistan’s upper house and president ratify the move, civil courts will be able to try rape cases. Up until now victims had to have four male witnesses to the crime - if not they faced prosecution for adultery. PES Women President supports the struggle of Pakistanese women organisations’ to fully suppress the Hudood Ordinance.

Zita Gurmai commented ”Despite the step forward to soften harsh and discriminative laws against women, all countries - including countries with islamic traditions - must ensure a total protection, the availability and accesibility to protection for all women.  All forms of violence against women, including rape, are an oppression stemming from the unequal status of women, and is a problem that needs to be tackled worldwide.”