URGENT: Take action to support the Women's Protection Bill in Pakistan!
(Cross-posted at Truth and Beauty)I've been reading Eteraz's excellent coverage of the Women's Protection Bill in Pakistan and have been meaning to write a lengthy entry about it, but since that isn't going to happen just yet and the topic is of critical concern and Eteraz has already said everything that needs to be said, I am going to go ahead and just post it.
In the wake of sensationalized issues like the Pope's speech or Brangelina, concerns about something as important as the Women's Protection Bill has receive little media coverage, and sadly, scattered blog interest.
Let's work to make this a cause célèbre amongst expat Pakistanis, Muslims and people everywhere.
Eteraz's op-ed gives some excellent background information on the bill.
As Eteraz says, "This is an urgent and imperative moment in the bill. Frankly, having met Musharraf and his wife and spoken with them, I can tell you that nothing will hit him harder than Western Muslim women writing to him expressing their support for the bill, and giving him encouragement."
Please take out a few minutes from your day to write to President Musharraf asking him to SUPPORT the Select Committee Bill. Make sure you use your name and location.
Now is the time to pressurize him to pass the bill which addresses not just rape, but domestic violence, and a host of other problems like forced marriages.
Please post about this on your blog and encourage everyone you know to write to President Musharraf. Something as simple as the following will do, though you can add more too:
"We believe that you should support the passage of the Women’s Protection Act in the form proposed by the Select Committee of Parliament. The passage of that bill would be a significant step forwards in the protection of women’s rights in Pakistan and an achievement for which you would always be remembered."
Eteraz provides text you can use in your letter, here. More information on the Bill can be found here and here, including the story of a shaykh who put himself in the line of fire for this bill.
If he stood up for what he believed, what are we willing to do to help?
posted by Baraka at
19:23
