THE disproportionate and irrational response of some religious parties and some scholars to the recent Women`s Protection Act, though not unexpected, is indicative of their understanding of both family and of Islam.
By protesting against the measures taken for women`s safety against domestic violence they are implying that the family is basically an institution which can only survive through violence.
I want to ask them why they think that the elimination of violence would harm the familyrather than strengthening it. Why do they feel qualified to speak on women`s matters when they have made no contributions to their welfare? Why is it that only men have the right to define what is Islamic or un-Islamic? It is time these misogynists stopped disguising their insecurities with a concern for religious values.
We can only hope that the Pakistani nation can see through this facade of piety and offer no support to their baseless stance.
