Sexual harassment law

The first step has been taken ‘towards changing the lives of women at the workplace,’ to quote Sherry Rehman, the PPP MNA, former minister for women’s development and architect of the newly enacted law under discussion. This is in the form of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill that was passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday after having been in the works for months. Meticulously drafted, the document enhances the punishment already prescribed under the law for sexual harassment and facilitates effective prosecution by defining ‘harassment’ unequivocally.

These amendments to the PPC and CCP are designed to address the age-old issue women have faced in patriarchal societies — intimidation in public places — that inhibits them from stepping out of their homes. The political will displayed by the present government to improve the status of women is encouraging. Towards the same end, a bill on domestic violence was adopted by the assembly three months ago.