The report, released on Monday in a seminar, was based on statistics on incidents of domestic violence, kidnap, rape, murder, honour killings and incest.
Rafi stressed a need for changing the mindset and attitudes.
“Both our law and religion seek to protect women’s rights,” she said, adding, “but the situation is worsening.”
Mohammad Tehseen, the South Asia Partnership Pakistan executive director, askd, “Does our provincial minister have any explanation to the fact that an average five women were kidnapped everyday in the province?”
He said it was shocking to note that areas where women had become vocal, had reported an increase in violence against women.
“It’s not just about laws. It’s how they are implemented,” he added.
Tehseen also commented on the increase in honour killing. He said it was unfortunate that killers in these cases defined honour to their convenience and it ‘restored’ at the cost of a life.
About incest cases, he said, it was next to impossible for young children to report it.
MPA Sajida Mir said the government had provided no support structure for women victims of violence.
She urged the government to allocate funds for the social welfare and protection of women. She also suggested a helpline to provide immediate assistance to women in distress.
Statistics
As many as 3,153 incidents of violence against women were reported in the Punjab during July 2011 and December 2011.
It states that incidents of kidnappings were the most reported crime (860), with Sargodha on the top of the list with 90 reported abductions. As many as 19 women were subjected to various forms of violence on daily basis with five being kidnapped everyday.
The statistics represent a two per cent rise in violent crime against women compared to the first six months of 2011. It also indicated that the incidence of violence in the rural areas was greater than in the urban areas.
More than 170 women were killed in the name of ‘honour’ from July to December, most of them under 25 years old.
In most of the almost 500 rape and attempted-rape cases that alleged offenders were related to the victims in one way or the other. The rape cases were reported from Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Pakpattan and Multan districts.
The highest number of incidents of violence was reported from Lahore (248), followed by Rawalpindi (239).
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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@Dildar: Women in Punjab have more rights than most women in any other province in Pakistan. Moreover women in Indian Punjab are also enjoying more rights that women in other parts of India. It is because Punjabi society is more work oriented and alloows women to take part in society. Even if you go to western countries Pakistani women of Punjabi background tend to work more and have more education than other Pakistani women. It is a sign of being progressive that in Punjab, women complain about violence against women whereas these issues are kept hidden in Sind, Baluchistan or KPK. By the way, women from Punjab enjoy more rights than women in almost all Muslim countries.
Violance against women is not present with same intensity every where. We must stop blmaing and comparing other, that's the first step toward self analyses. To start please check Indian Punjab for such news. Two countries can't be making-up news. For true test type such lines on Google to see general trend in Punjab.
The devilish Talibanization of our beloved land continues. Since when did Punjab Muslims stoop so low in treating their women? Return to the ideals of the great Quaid-e-Azam.
Violence against women is present everywhere and is the result of men being treated differently from a very young age. Mothers cosset/pamper their sons while imposing strict discipline on daughters. This creates an idea in the minds of boys that they can do anything and get away. The religion is also to blame here because it gives women a very low status and thus helps perpetuate violence. I was shocked to read this article and could not believe that not one mulla or imam or maulana spoke against violence whne these religious leaders stand up and issue fatwas on idiotic grounds such as forbidding women from handling bananas and cucumbers etc. A few days back Pakistanis felt that Veena Malick brought shame to Pakistan but in reality it is the statistics such as that given in the article brings shame to Pakistan. Pakistanis need to learn what is important. Shaenanigans of one woman or the plight of hundreds of women.
@Yellow: I am glad that Punjab is becoming more proactive and promoting the rights of women and highlighting abuse against women. I hope the other provinces follow the example set by the Punjab and combat social ills against women.
why hasn't this study been done in other provinces ?
Jahalat and nothing else.
women have to stand up for themselves.no one gives anything to anyone on a silver platter,you have to fight for it,sacrifice for it and undergo hardships.our women keep on sticking to their abusive,cheating husbands.no matter how much the husband beats her up,no matter how many times he cheats on her,our girls keep on sticking to him instead of leaving him.the ladies have got to start working and having lifelong careers.if u don't earn,you'll always remain at the mercy of men.even our educated women are content with being housewives,wasting their lives and their education behind the four walls of their house.