The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in Pakistan has demanded that harsh punishment be meted out to any politician, regardless of their stature, to prevent the use of foul language against women in the upcoming elections.
Pakistan is set to witness national assembly elections on 8 February.
Describing the language at times used against ladies in political rallies as “inappropriate and deplorable”, the NCSW chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar slammed parties for consistently using objectionable words against them in politics.
Bakhtiar revealed that in a bid to address the hate speech against women, the NCSW also held a nationwide consultative exercise involving all political parties.
The NCSW, the country's statutory body, recently prepared a report based on the views shared by women politicians from across the parties. It was later shared with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
“We urged the ECP to ensure punitive measures against those who use such language against women in the next elections,” she stated while pointing out that during political speeches "the language used against women is "foul".
Highlighting the state of affairs regarding the initiative, she said the NCSW also wrote to the heads and secretary-generals of all political parties. But its letter has remained unanswered till date from any of the leaders.
“This is the importance that [parties] give to women,” she remarked.