WITH the enactment of the Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in January 2021, all four provinces of Pakistan are now equipped with legislation that is instrumental for addressing domestic violence. The new law is a landmark one for the province, and a comprehensive piece of legislation that is expected to play a pivotal role in protecting women, and equipping the duty bearers to dispense justice more effectively and efficiently.
The law has devised effective reporting, gender-sensitive, survivor-centric, quality services and preventive strategies for transformative change in society. The enactment of this act negates the belief that domestic violence is a private matter of any household; it has now become the state’s responsibility to protect women from violence.