Pakistani media and activists poured scorn Friday on a suggestion from an Islamic religious body that men should be allowed to “lightly beat” their wives, made in their draft of a women’s protection bill. But the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Bill redefines “violence” to include “any offence committed against a woman” including things like domestic or emotional abuse, stalking or cybercrimes. “There may be a dispute between husband and wife but that is something separate from torturing wives.” Women in conservative Pakistan have fought for their rights for decades, in a country where so-called honour killings and acid attacks remain commonplace. The article was a rare example of the media mocking those claiming to speak in the name of religion in conservative Muslim Pakistan.

Source: Hindustan Times May 27, 2016 07:37 UTC