Waking up once again to the prevalent, pervasive and oft repeated reality of violence against women and children in the country, the National Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution against such crimes, asking the federal and provincial governments to bring about procedural changes in the legal system so that justice could be dispensed followed by deterrent punishment in the case of heinous crimes. Appreciable as the move is considering the many rape cases and honour killings reported of late in the media, which show a steep rise in such incidents, mere words, sympathetic speeches or resolutions are not enough. Many such resolutions have been passed earlier without affecting any change required at the legislative and societal level. Of late the media is awash with news of the rape of both minors and adults and women killed in the name of honour or after being raped. In the case of the five-year-old girl, the story was not only repeatedly broadcast as is the pattern on the electronic media to sensationalise such news items, the identity of the child, her family and her whereabouts were discussed ad nauseam, evoking revulsion in civil society that saw such media sensationalism distracting from the real cause of exposing the dark side of our society. In a society such as ours, still primitive when it comes to women, a rape story that identifies the victim could damage her irretrievably for the rest of her life. Her surroundings, comprising family and neighbours, would never forget the stigma attached to her. It is imperative that the media does responsible reporting on issues involving women.
There is however, a much larger responsibility yet to be shouldered by the government. Since long it has evaded the real question of reforming society through education. Rape is about the mindset that considers a woman as the ‘honour’ of the victim’s family. For some it is her helplessness that gives a sense of power to the otherwise powerless. Unless the mindset, attitudes, aggression responsible for crimes against women and children in society is altered, making a real difference will remain elusive. The strengthening of deterrent punishment for such heinous crimes is a must. Of all the reasons for society’s degradation, the main one that stands out is ignorance or the absence of knowledge, the doors of which we had closed on ourselves by relegating education to the least important thing on our wish list to reform society. The media too must play a responsible role to educate citizens on these issues and not indulge in indiscretion or sensationalisation. *