LARKANA: Police officials were stressed at a training workshop to adhere to the laws concerned to protect the rights of women.

The workshop was held about special laws on women and organised by the Civil Society Support Program (CSSP) in collaboration with the Enhanced Democratic Accountability and Civic Engagement (EDACE) here on Sunday.

It was facilitated by Karachi South Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigation) SSP Faizullah Korejo and attended by 60 police officials — inspectors, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and writing head constables of Larkana and Jacobabad districts.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr Korejo said violence against women was rampant and interior Sindh witnessed many forms it that included domestic, honour killing, physical and mental abuse, rape, acid throwing, burning etc. But, he said, the police was oblivious of the latest laws that could protect women from such violations.

He said police stations acted as the pivot through which laws could be got implemented. Though it was quite unfortunate that public perception about gaining access to the police station was negative, there was no denying that it served as the place from where the criminal justice system formally originated or took its course, he said.

He observed that owing to feudal influence on society, weak investigation and prosecution system, practice of alternative way of dispute resolution was being taken place to decide the fate of women victim of violation.

He apprised the audience that Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 prohibited the marriage of children, both boys and girls, below 18 years and declared marriage below the age of 18 punishable by law. Parents, facilitators and groom could be sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and could be fined in cases of underage marriage, he added. But, regrettably, owing to the lack of proper knowledge on the part of police, occurrence of child marriages was widespread throughout Sindh, he added.

Mr Korejo said Sindh was the only province that had passed remarkable legislation on women after passing of Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013. He said the act was invoking different sections on minor and major forms of violations against women.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2016