PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Friday passed the Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention and Protection) bill 2021, to curb the menace of domestic violence against women in the province.
As per Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention and Protection) Bill, the perpetrators of violence against women face up to five years in prison. The landmark bill defines economic, psychological and sexual pressure on women as “violence”.
The bill stated that a six-member District Protection Committee would be constituted at each district which would be responsible for telling people about their legal rights, assist survivors in seeking medical treatment, and assist survivors in relocating to a safer place.
It said that a petition would be filed against the offender within 15 days whereas the courts would be bound to give their verdict within two months. A helpline would also be set up in this connection.
The bill also says that people who file a “frivolous complaint” under this act will be fined Rs50,000.
Before the passage of the bill, KP was the only province without a law against domestic violence. The other three provinces had legislated in this respect years ago.
