In Sindh, one woman killed every day in the name of honour

According to HRCP 2016 monitoring report, 2,500 cases of violence against women reported in Pakistan

KARACHI: Every day a woman is killed in the name of honour in Sindh, it has been learnt. Countless women and young girls in 2016 were killed by their relatives in the name of honour.

According to the 2016 monitoring report of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 2500 cases of violence against women were reported across the country.

Globally, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women begins from November 25 and from this day activities carry forward for up to 16 days. Unfortunately, this day couldn’t be celebrated in Sindh.

Workshops, seminars and events are organised on governmental and non-governmental level to mark the occasion.

Organisations specifically working for women rights remain active in ensuring the promotion of rights of women and their protection during the said days. These organisations constantly remain in contact with governmental authorities to devise a mechanism for the promotion of women rights.

Of late, the Department of Women Development announced to organise an event to show solidarity with the rights of oppressed women of Sindh. In line with the main event, Orange Light event was held in the Sindh Assembly.



The event was themed ‘Not Anymore!’ and attended by members of the provincial assembly, government officials, NGO and civil society activists. Orange colour was flashed in the Sindh Assembly building, aiming to express solidarity with the oppressed and resolve the eradication of violence against women.

More than half of the society comprise of women population predominantly considered as ‘delicate sex’. These women in all their forms are liable to respect.

It should be noted that the UN General Assembly on December 17, 1997 decided to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women globally on November 25 and Sindh Assembly passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill in 2013.

There prevailed a mutual consensus that violence against women was a hindrance in their development, they remain unable to utilise their capabilities wholly, resulting in violation of their rights as humans.

According to the HRCP monitoring report 2016, 2,500 cases of violence against women were reported out of which 1,003 cases were of physical assault, 386 cases of domestic violence, 988 cases of acid attacks, 138 women committed suicide, 988 were kidnapped, 1,001 tried to commit suicide.

Last year 34 cases of rape were reported in Sindh.

Crunching figures for 2016: No let-up in violence against women

According to HRCP’s 2011 report, one woman in Sindh gets raped every day and this percentage has increased to 46.8 in 2014, while countless women and children have been killed by their relatives in the name of honour in 2016.

In the view of said statistics, the provincial department for women development has formed a commission for the status of women while district level committees have been set up to prevent violence against women and childhood marriages.

Research has been conducted through SPO and Torcaire strategic partnership platform regarding the violence against women in the light of which the Sindh government is taking measures to prevent violence against women. The government has resolved to eliminate violence against women.

Ten complaint centres have been set up by the provincial women development department in which from January to September 2017. 1,028 complaints have been registered so far.