The Implication of Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2022, on Domestic Violence Cases: A Critical Analysis of South Punjab
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-vii.346Keywords:
Domestic Violence, njab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2022, South Punjab, Women Protection Centers, Feminist Legal Theory, Social Norms Theory, Institutional Enforcement, Gender-Based Violence, Legal ImplementationAbstract
The main objective of this study was to review the implications of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act 2022 on the cases of domestic violence in south Punjab. The study is based on several documented cases in three Women Protection Centers of Bahawalpur, Multan and Vehari to examine the provisions of the Act in the context of eight different forms of domestic violence: physical, psychological, economic, digital, property related, etc. The evaluation of the legal provisions of the Act and the socio-cultural factors influencing the implementation of the Act is done by two theories: Feminist Legal Theory and Social Norms Theory. The results show that the Act offers progressive measures, such as protection and residence orders, and financial measures, yet the measures issued and their implementation are greatly hindered by institutional weakness, irregularities in implementation and lack of legal awareness among the population, as well as patriarchal ideals in South Punjab. The study suggests a multi-tiered strategy for seeking meaningful protection of women, including coordination of institutions across sectors, mechanisms for economic empowerment for women, and consistent community-based measures that address gendered norms that foster and tolerate domestic violence.
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