From Policy to Practice: Evaluating the Implementation Gap in the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act (2016)

Abstract

In this paper, the author explores the implementation gap of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act (PPWVA, 2016) by looking at the institutional mechanisms that the act created and how it has been hindered as well as the implications that the act may have to the safety of women in Punjab. It answers three questions which include how institutions established in response to the Act operate, the main barriers to enforcement, and the reforms needed to enhance performance. The study applies the qualitative content-analysis design to study those secondary sources that have been purposely selected, i.e., the full text of the PPWVA, the official sources like SSDO (2024), and the scholarly review and the case of Noor Mukadam to exemplify these. The review was conducted by a document-analysis protocol/case-study frame. The results indicate that there is a large gap between the institutional provisions of the Act and its implementation. The PPWVA is based on the envision of Violence Against Women Centres (VAWCs), District Protection Committee, and Women Protection Officer, however, there are two active VAWCs and very few active district protection committees. The paper suggests the expansion and proper resourcing of VAWCs.