Pakistan's National Assembly approves women protection legislation

Pakistan's National Assembly (Lower House) has approved a legislation to make places of public and work environment safer for women, amid apprehensions from some members that it could be misused, resulting in lesser job opportunities for women.

According to the bill, called the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2009, a person insulting modesty of a woman or causing sexual harassment at workplace or public place would be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or fine up to Rs 500,000 or both.

The majority of Parliamentarians welcomed the passage of the bill yesterday but a few members apprehended that it could be misused and employers may refuse jobs to women.

According to objectives of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2009, it will not only make public and work environment safe for women but will also open the path for more women to earn livelihood with dignity. Its objectives, says the amendment, takes the spirit of the Pakistan Penal Code forward and makes it more usable for women in cases of insults, humiliation and intimidation.

''Whoever conducts sexual advances, or demands sexual favours or uses verbal or non-verbal communication or displays physical conduct of a sexual nature which intends to annoy, insult, intimidate or threaten the other person or commits such acts on the premises of workplace would also be punished with imprisonment extending to three years or up to Rs 500,000 fine or with both,'' said the legislation.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said the passage of the bill will go a long way in the protection of women at their workplaces.

-- (UNI) -- 05DF2.xml

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