There is a dire need to spread awareness to survivors to reach out for help
ISLAMABAD: The recent publication of data in this paper on the cases of sexual harassment is a brutal reminder of the fact that Pakistan has still a long way to go to become completely secure place for women. The data reveals that around 3,400 cases of rape, gang-rape and outraging the modesty of women were registered in Lahore alone from January 2014 to mid-May 2017. The news story then goes on to explain that on average, three women in the city fall victim to a sexual crime every day. This is shocking!
This data was obtained through FIRs registered in only one metropolitan city of the country, Lahore, which may mean that data accumulated from other urban cities, such as Karachi and Islamabad, may result in more horrifying numbers. And we should not forget the fact that many cases also go unreported as survivors hesitate from reaching out to security personnel in fear of bringing shame upon their family’s name. There is a dire need to spread awareness to survivors to reach out for help and rectify such a culture in our society, and make Pakistan a safer place for its women.
Uzma Shah
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2017.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
