ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the National Lobbying Delegation for Minority Rights has called on the government to take urgent steps to protect the rights of women belonging to religious minority communities in Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Haroon Sarab Diyal, Focal Person of the delegation, highlighted the challenges faced by minority women and stressed the need to ensure that they have full access to their constitutional and legal rights.

“Today, we renew our commitment to ensuring that women, especially those from religious minority groups, have access to their fundamental constitutional and legal rights,” Diyal said.

The delegation emphasised the need for reforms in family laws affecting minority women. It specifically called for the implementation of the Hindu Marriage Act in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act in provinces beyond Punjab.

The statement also noted that the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 and the Christian Divorce Act of 1869 are outdated and require urgent reforms to align with modern needs and values of the Christian community.

In addition, the delegation urged authorities to prioritise the deployment of minority women teachers in safer urban areas and provide them with adequate protection, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where some teachers are currently serving in insecure areas.

The delegation called on the government to address these concerns and ensure stronger legal protections for minority women across the country.