Wednesday, October 18, 2006: India could be taking tips from Pakistan soon. The National Commission for Women (NCW) will press for a protocol with the United Kingdom, along the lines of the UK-Pakistan protocol, to protect victims of dowry harassment and domestic violence in NRI marriages.

NCW chairperson Girija Vyas, who recently returned from a 5-day trip to the UK, said: "We will recommend that a protocol be signed with UK similar to what Pakistan has done."

The UK-Pakistan protocol, signed recently, is likely to help speedy repatriation of British nationals of Pakistani origin numbering at least 440 since October 2000 who were conned into marrying Pakistanis against their will.

In India, however, the problem is different. While the British foreign and commonwealth office (FCO) office found that a large number of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis were victims of "forced marriages", complaints from Indians range from abandonment, dowry harassment to domestic violence.

Officials stress the need for coordination between offices in the two countries. For this, Vyas has suggested that NCW, in coordination with the ministry of overseas Indian affairs, share data on men and women migrating to the UK after marriage and a similar list be given by the British counterparts to India.

Vyas held talks officials in the Indian high commission in UK and this could also result in setting up of a welfare cell soon that will act as a resource centre for victims.

"There are many women who are turned out of their homes in the middle of the night. They are not allowed to make calls or go out unaccompanied. The welfare centre will be run by former victims who will understand and help those calling for assistance," Vyas said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2191770.cms