President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Women Protection Bill into law during a ceremony at the chief minister house. Passed by National Assembly on January 21 and a day earlier by Senate, the law provides for increased punishment over harassment of women at workplaces.

Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill-2009 amends Pakistan Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure, increasing punishment for the crime up to three years in prison and fine of up to Rs500,000.

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The National Assembly on Thursday passed “The Protection against Harassment at Workplaces Bill 2009”, to create a safe working environment for the women free of harassment, abuse and intimidation with a view to fulfil their right to work with dignity. The house also incorporated amendments moved by Dr Attiya Inayatullah into the bill.

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December 1, 2006

A BILL further to amend the Pakistan Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws

WHEREAS it is necessary to provide relief and protection to women against misuse and abuse of law and to prevent their exploitation;

AND WHEREAS Article 14 of the Constitution ensures that dignity of man and, subject to law, the privacy of home, shall be inviolable;

AND WHEREAS Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone and that the State shall make provisions for the protection of women;

AND WHEREAS Article 37 of the Constitution encourages promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils;

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An incident took place, a young girl was attacked by a man posing as a plain clothes officer; he asked her 2 come 2 the police station when she & her male friend didn’t have a driver’s license 2 show. He sent the boy off 2 get his license and asked the girl to accompany him to the police station. Took her instead to an isolated area where the horrendous crime was committed.

The law clearly states that between 6 pm and 6 am, a woman has the right to REFUSE to go to the Police Station, even if an arrest warrant has been issued against her.

It is a procedural issue that a woman can be arrested between 6pm and 6am, ONLY if she is arrested by a woman officer & taken to an ALL WOMEN police station. And if she is arrested by a male officer, it has to be proven that a woman officer was on duty at the time of arrest.