Annual Report 2016 [reporting period: July 2015 to June 2016]

“This year the largest province of Pakistan unanimously passed the landmark Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence 2016. The passage of the bill was highly controversial with various different concerns being voiced, both from the far religious right to rights activists. The law has pushed barriers in terms of women’s protection and holding the perpetrator to account. Perhaps its greatest achievement is the simple but imperative recognition of domestic violence as an offence." "Aurat Foundation is proud that we have been part of every process of the bill - from its initial draft to the final vote in the provincial Assembly. We, as a watchdog and champion for women’s rights celebrate this law as a great milestone.