Sir: Violence against women is a common practice in our society. There are millions of women who are living in abusive relationships, marriages and constant harassment every day. Violence is a broader term, it includes all the violent acts such as rape, marital rape, domestic violence, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, honour killings, dowry violence, acid throwing, forced marriages, mob violence, stalking, sexual harassment, human trafficking and forced prostitution, mistreatment of widows, rape and sexual slavery, forced sterilization, forced abortions, stoning and flogging, violence by the police and other authority figures, obstetric violence and sport related violence.
Mostly people who are working for women rights are themselves harassing the women in different ways. While working in development sector, I realised that the gender based violence occurring across the globe and bringing about severe change in our society. Approximately 60 to 90 percent women in Pakistan have suffered from different forms of abuse. An estimated figure shows that more than 5000 women killed and buried every year, suffering from domestic violence while others are left mutilated. There has been a 20-25 percent increase in cases of violence against women reported every year. Sadly during 2015, International NGOs recorded that six women were kidnapped, four raped, three committed suicide and six were murdered every single day in Pakistan.
It’s a reality that women in Pakistan are always treated as second-class citizens and we have to admit it, sadly because the state cannot make a clear distinction whether it’s secular or theocratic in nature. Charles Habib Malik a great philosopher and diplomat said that, “The fastest way to change society is to mobilise the women of the world.”
SAIRA SALMAN
Sukkur