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Humaima Malick endorses the Punjab Women's Protection Bill 2016

Humaima Malick endorses the Punjab Women's Protection Bill 2016

She says, 'As a woman, I'll do everything I can to tell girls to imagine what they can be and work toward achieving it'
Updated 01 Aug, 2016

There's a lot of talk surrounding women's empowerment in Pakistan, and actor Humaima Malik is the latest to join the conversation with her video endorsement of the Punjab Women's Protection Bill 2016.

Passed in February 2016, the bill contains remedies for victims of violence, criminalises all forms of violence against women and also provides them with special centers which remove the usual red tape hurdles that complicate a woman’s quest for justice.

The Bol actor's video, while well-intentioned, lacks impact, but it drives home the point that opinion-makers can do a lot more to push for societal changes in women's lives. Watch it here:

"The essence of this campaign is to empower women to break the stigma around them fighting for their own rights," says Humaima to Images. "Violence against women needs to stop. It's 2016 and only now has the right to protect yourself as a woman been given a legal platform."

Humaima was approached by the Punjab government to endorse the bill, and she jumped at the opportunity to do so.

"As a woman, I will do everything in my power to tell every girl to imagine what she can be and work towards achieving it. For me, women's empowerment means [protecting] a woman's right to be unapologetically be herself. To find the courage to pursue their dreams without any hurdle or social stigmas. Every woman should find what she's good at, make mistakes and learn from them. To be given an equal chance to fight for what she wants in life. We are finally moving towards an era that recognises this need."

"Violence against women needs to stop. It's 2016 and only now has the right to protect yourself as a woman been given a legal platform."

Now that the bill has been passed, what does Humaima feel are the next logical steps that can be taken to protect women from violence?

"I think we all need to act on it," stressed Humaima. "This mindset that men are superior to women and can do whatever they want and get away with it has been entrenched in our society for many years. The only thing that can change this is education, awareness that your rights exist and are your own."

She adds, "Our government and all local bodies should act on every ill this society is inflicted with. Stop people from thinking that they can harm a woman, call it honor and get away with it. We need to change the thinking that's entrenched in our society only then will we see a positive change."

Comments

majid malik Aug 01, 2016 01:41pm
lets continue our fight against crimes inflicted on defense-less humans. lets develop an advanced technological society in Pakistan and across the globe
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chodhary Aug 01, 2016 01:58pm
Who is Humaima Malick?
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Alba Aug 01, 2016 02:14pm
We are so glad she has drawn attention to herself.
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Imran AB Aug 01, 2016 03:17pm
Wait till her next film ....... Arth 2 !!!!
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hasan shah Aug 01, 2016 03:31pm
humaima i have observed that you are the most kind soul of our industry.
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Waqar Aug 01, 2016 06:29pm
As proclaimed by many, Men and Women are equally. It should be Citizens protection law and should not be too much inclined towards women. Men do face the wrath of gals too and i'd have my gf arrested too. Wish you'd endorsed for all the women in Pakistan and practiced equally too... not for so called 'Punjab Women'
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