Women's Empowerment Group
Women's Empowerment Group

Advocacy for Legal Reforms

Legislative Advocacy: Strengthening the Legal Framework for Gender Justice

At WEG, we believe that sustainable social transformation must be anchored in the rule of law. To ensure gender justice and eradicate violence, it is paramount to establish robust legal protections that both penalize offenders and act as a powerful deterrent against future crimes. Over the decades, WEG has strategically lobbied governments, legal advisors, the judiciary, and public institutions to draft, pass, and implement laws that safeguard the rights of women.

Our Key Legislative Milestones

  1. Advancing Political Representation: 33% Parliamentary Quota

True change begins where laws are made. In 2000, through the concerted efforts of WEG and allied stakeholders, a landmark bill was passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan, increasing the women’s quota in Parliament to 33%. This remains a foundational achievement in ensuring that women’s voices are represented at the highest levels of national decision-making.

  1. Reforming Anti-Honor Killing and Anti-Rape Laws

In coordination with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), WEG played a pivotal role in advocating for critical amendments to anti-honor killing and anti-rape legislation. Our provincial advocacy has been equally impactful:

  • Punjab: Successfully engaged legislators for the promulgation of the Domestic Violence Bill.
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK): Currently leading efforts to mirror these essential protections and ensure a unified legal front against domestic abuse across provinces.
  1. Ensuring Workplace Safety: The Harassment Bill

Economic empowerment is impossible without physical and psychological safety. In a significant recent milestone, WEG in collaboration with the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women supported the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in introducing the “Protection of Women against Workplace Harassment Bill.” This legislation represents a major leap forward in securing the dignity and rights of women in the professional sphere.