Guyana needs measures to protect women like those in Pakistan’s Punjab

Dear Editor,

A state in Pakistan, a nation ranked the world’s third most dangerous place for girls and women, just passed a law protecting women against violence. The new law passed by the Punjab Assembly is groundbreaking as it intends to criminalize all forms of violence against women, including domestic, emotional, psychological, economic and sexual.

The law, known as the Protection of Women against Violence Bill 2015, establishes a toll-free abuse reporting phone hotline for women to report abuse or violence. A variety of shelters for women and children to go to when necessary will also be constructed.

The assembly plans to investigate reports of abuse through panels and it will also deploy guard Protection, and use security bracelets to track perpetrators.

We understand that there are thousands of reported cases of violence against women every year in that country and one wonders if similar measures for protecting women from violence could be implemented here in Guyana.

Yours faithfully,

Rooplall Dudhnath