Multi-dynamics programmes for women empowerment should be developed such as political and economic empowerment
LAHORE: This is with reference to Juggun Kazim’s article, titled “Cruelty at home”, published on May 9. I agree with Ms Kazim that there is a certain mentality deeply engrained in strictly patriarchal societies like Pakistan. Poor and uneducated women struggle daily for basic rights, recognition and respect. They are forced to live in a culture that defines them by the male figures in their lives, even though these women are often the breadwinners for their families.
Quietly and slowly through legal reforms, female empowerment is coming to Pakistan. You meet inspiring women daily here. Sympathetic employers sometimes give protection and assistance, as do other women who have fared better. NGOs and charitable organisations try to help empower women, but not all of them take advantage of these resources. They fear their husbands or fear attracting unwanted attention and somehow hurting the honour of their families. Or, often, they simply do not know that help exists. With female literacy at 36 per cent, many women are too uneducated to know their rights. A difficult irony for women in Pakistan is that, should a victim speak up about physical or sexual abuse, she is seen as having lost her and her family’s dignity. Many rapes go unreported as the victims fear they will become worthless in Pakistani society. Often, women will turn to their employers or families they can trust. It is a typically unnoticed form of charity but one that can be crucial to their survival.
In Pakistan, domestic violence is considered a private matter and, therefore, not an appropriate focus for assessment, intervention or policy changes. Women have to face discrimination and violence on a daily basis due to the cultural and religious norms that Pakistani society embraces. According to an estimate, approximately 70 to 90 per cent of Pakistani women are subjected to domestic violence. Some common types include honour killing, spousal abuse including marital rape, acid attacks and being burned by family members. Spousal abuse is rarely considered a crime socially unless it takes an extreme form of murder or attempted murder which could range from driving a woman to suicide or engineering an accident (frequently the bursting of a kitchen stove).The entire scenario clearly reflects that violence against women is an enormous public health and social problem in Pakistan, which has never been appropriately responded to and dealt by the government. Women should be encouraged to speak about their experiences. Both preventive and curative measures should be taken. Helplines should be established and referral networks developed to make information, counselling and services such as legal aid, medical aid and shelter homes accessible to women in despair. School curriculae should be revised to include lessons on gender equality and dignity. New technologies should be used such as digital stories to sensitise communities and policymakers on the issue of gender-based violence. Civil society organisations should advocate strict implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Multi-dynamics programmes for women empowerment should be developed such as political and economic empowerment of women and rights protection.
Salma Tahir
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2016.
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