Pakistan passes bill to protect women’s rights
Rights groups laud amended legislation but doubt if prevailing societal attitudes will allow its enforcement.
Published On 18 Nov 2011
Women’s rights groups in Pakistan have welcomed the passing of a bill which will punish those who force women into marriages or deny them inheritance.
Anyone convicted of forcing a woman into marriage or of receiving her inheritance will be sentenced to prison for 3-10 years, or will have to pay a fine of about $6,000, when the Anti-Women’s Practices Bill comes into effect.
But rights groups have raised concern about how the amended legislation will be enforced due to the prevailing attitude towards women in the country.
Al Jazeera’s Imtiaz Tyab report from Lahore.
Source: Al Jazeera