Our failure lies in our hesitation in condemning men for their wrongdoings
KARACHI: The news of Zainab’s rapist and murderer being awarded death sentence on 12 counts have come as a relief for many, especially the little child’s parents. While it is admirable that the court took notice of the heinous crime in time, we cannot rule out the fact that strict laws alone are not sufficient to eliminate crimes.
If we look at newspapers after Zainab’s case, almost every day a news story on sexual assault of a child has been reported. But these news stories have gone unnoticed just like most of those before Zainab’s. Of course, there was public outrage over Zainab’s case or the media also highlighted the issue. But why have these actions not been translated into a change of a mindset? Every day we see reports of women, young and little girls and young boys being raped and murdered in the country, sometimes even by close relatives. Even cases of uncles and maternal uncles raping and murdering little girls and boys are being reported. Where did we go wrong?
Our failure lies in the upbringing of our boys. Our failure lies in our hesitation in condemning men for their wrongdoings. We have failed to focus on the protection of our girls. When these things are corrected, only then will we have no Zainab to cry for.
Neha Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2018.
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