A group of activists addressing the rest said all those involved in stripping the 40-year-old widow, including those who participated in the jirga that gave the order to gang-rape her, must be severely punished. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Civil society representatives have urged the Supreme Court to provide justice to a woman who was ordered to be gang-raped in Muzzaffargarh by a jirga.
At a protest on Friday evening, members of civil society enraged by the news gathered to express their concern over the incident. A group of activists addressing the rest said all those involved in stripping the 40-year-old widow, including those who participated in the jirga that gave the order to gang-rape her, must be severely punished. Moreover, the government must provide all-out support, protection and pay for medical and counselling services for the survivor to help her rebuild her life.
Holding the state responsible for decisions taken by the parallel justice system, activist Rahana Hashmi said that the federal and Punjab governments must be held accountable for this heinous act. “The state has failed to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order that declared jirga and panchayat illegal.”
Speaking to The Express Tribune, human rights activist Dr Farzana Bari said, “It’s because the judicial system remains ineffective and inaccessible and people turn to parallel courts, which is unfortunate. Most of the decisions taken by the jirgas are anti-women and anti-poor.
It is rare that any decision taken by such a system benefits women and society at large, she added.
Bari said that the Supreme Court must take responsibility for delivering justice to the people, particularly women at their doorstep. “The patriarchal feudal system continues to mistreat women. Women are used and abused.
Disputes are often settled by exchanging, violating and humiliating women. “Women are considered as a man’s honour, and by violating them, you are dishonouring the man, which is unfortunately seen as the greatest form of revenge.”
“Enough is Enough! We need to expose the faces of these culprits to the world,” said Valerie Yousafzai Khan, chief of Acid Survivors Foundation.
A participant Rakshanda Parveen said the incident reflected the brutal mindset of our local power brokers.
Supporters of Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, Movement for Social Justice, Awami Workers Party and Women Councillors Network were also present.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2014.
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We have transformed into animals.
This is outrages. The victim should be supported by the government as suggested by Dr. Farzana whereas the culpits must be purnished in public square so severely that no one dare do this ever in future.
The Jirga and Panchayt must be band with emmidiate effect.