On the International Day for Women, Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif announced a Women Reforms Package. This is unique indeed since it relates to property issues and tribal injustice that women are usually subjected to in our society particularly in rural areas. Among others, the package includes additional 15 percent quota in jobs within the province, abolition of the condition of a separate application for division of land, lifting of the stamp duty, and equal share for women in governmental plots.
There is no doubt that womenfolk especially in the rural areas have to face a number of bureaucratic and clerical hitches when it comes to division of property. For instance they are deprived of their property sometimes by the feudals, and sometimes even by their own relatives. Most unfortunate is the existing governmental system, which makes it virtually impossible for a woman to assert her rights in the face of this culture of persecution against females. There are certain laws in place but again the prevailing mindset deters the women from venturing out bravely and knocking on the doors of the officialdom. Frequent news in media about women being victimised by their own male family members over petty property disputes are rife. While all this cannot be changed overnight, the steps taken by the federal government and now followed up by the Punjab government should be regarded as winds of change. It is heartening to note that the condition of a separate application to claim property or land has been abolished. The CM has indeed ordered that immediately after the death of the owner of the land, a Revenue Officer must start the process of transfer of the property. That he has also established special committees to it see to it that these laws are implemented in letter and in spirit is quite encouraging.
The stamp duty on the transfer of property has also been abolished. Also to make women self-reliant, a separate fund for grant of loans on easy terms has been set up. However, at the end of the day it all comes down to implementation of laws. Punishments to the culprits ought to be swift and harsh in order to stop further vindication of women’s basic rights. The setting up of oversight committees is no doubt a step that will prove helpful, yet diligent effort will be required to actually see to it that the reforms package truly become an agent of change. Chief Minister deserves unqualified praise because he has tried to end unjust and often times brutal male dominance that invariably prevents women from having their share in property disputes. It is only if the women know that when they’ll head the officialdom or to the courts to fight gender related injustice they will be accorded their rights, a new era of gender equality can be expected.