Two weeks ago, the leader of Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology proposed a bill that would allow men to “lightly beat” women. It was proposed to supposedly keep wives in line, and to instill a sense of fear in women, after a progressive anti-domestic violence law was passed earlier this year.

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is a constitutional body that advises the Pakistani government on whether their policies are in line with religious aspects of law in society. Its recommendations are to be taken as suggestions, and not as binding rules.

But Pakistani women aren’t having it. Following the CII’s proposal to make it legal for men to “lightly beat” their wives, Pakistani women are protesting with the campaign #TryBeatingMeLightly.

Started by photographer Fahhad Rajper, #TryBeatingMeLightly is an opportunity for women to take a stand and make their voices heard.

Facing unprecedented criticism, the recommendation to allow men to lightly beat their wives was actually part of a draft for a women’s protection bill.

The CII also included reasons why a man should be allowed to beat his wife, which include refusal to engage in sexual intercourse, not dressing appropriately, talking to strangers, and speaking too loudly.

The draft also wants to disallow female nurses from tending to male patients, and ban women from attending receptions held for foreign dignitaries. It also does not want women working in advertisements.

The CII’s proposed bill is a response to a women’s protection law that was passed in the Pakistani state of Punjab in March. This law, which hasn’t yet been enacted, would make it easier for women to report domestic abuse, as well as make it possible to keep the perpetrator of domestic violence away from the victim until the issue had been resolved.

Punjab’s law minister, rejecting the CII’s proposal, said, “Islam does not allow any violence, whether against women or children.”

This isn’t the first time that the CII has made recommendations. Most of their political and economic suggestions are not taken seriously, and are hence not implemented. However, some of their recommendations about social and familial structuring have had more influence due to the fact that they are backed by other religious groups.

In January this year, a proposed bill to increase Pakistan’s legal marriageable age from 16 to 18 was shelved, after the CII called the move un-Islamic. In fact, the CII has actually been lobbying to make it legal for males to get married at 12, and females at 9.

Women of all ages have been contributing to the campaign, calling out the CII on its demeaning, regressive, and ridiculous recommendations. Activists and leaders also slammed the CII, calling the draft a national embarrassment.

The campaign has been appreciated and commended for raising awareness about an issue that is often ignored. 

But it has also received backlash from conservative and extremist groups. However, Fahhad Rajper refuses to give in. 

TopicsWomen & GirlsAsiaPakistanDomestic AbuseSouth Asia

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Demand Equity

Women in Pakistan protest a proposed law allowing men to "lightly beat" their wives

By Garima Bakshi