Small mercies

According to Aljazeera, Pakistani women awaiting trial on charges of adultery and other minor offences have been granted the right to be released on bail. Previously, they were forced to languish in prison awaiting their trials. A lot of work still has to be done to achieve equality for women in Canada; in Islamic countries the challenge is immense.

Just how immense is indicated by "charges of adultery." Under Pakistani law, to prove she has been raped, a woman must produce four pious, male Muslim witnesses in court. If she can't, she faces a charge of adultery, the maximum penalties for which are 100 lashes or death by stoning. Although such severe punishments are rarely carried out, many women are imprisoned for offending religious laws.

President Musharraf has promised to repeal such laws; however, elections are due in 2007 and, keeping in mind he needed the support of Islamist parties in 2003 to be elected president, reforms may stall. But that's tomorrow. Today, celebrate a little, 1,300 women stand to be freed on bail and return to their families -- a small victory for justice.