Suffering in silence

Domestic violence – also regarded as family violence – involves physical or sexual abuse against children, spouses, parents or the elderly. But the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women – sisters, daughters, wives and even mothers.

While domestic violence exists all over the world, the unjustified, unlawful and unethical behavioural practice is rampant in our part of the world – carried out mainly be male members of family who consider it a right, an entitlement, a prerogative. Even a custom.

According to multiple studies and surveys, for years and years Pakistan has been among the top five or six dangerous countries of the world for women. Local media reports say that between 2011 and 2017, more than 51,241 cases of violence against women were reported in Pakistan. As Pakistani women tend to suffer for the sake of the family’s “dignity”, it goes without saying that an overwhelming majority of such cases are never ever reported in the country.

According to Rahel Nardos, it is “the dual constructs of women as the property of men and the standard-bearers of a family’s honour set the stage for culturally sanctioned forms of violence”.

Low conviction rates too are a big deterrent against reporting abuse. According to media reports, the accused in just 2.5% of all reported cases of violence against women end up convicted by the courts.

The threat to women is now growing – even in their own homes and at the hands of their own family members. And with women forced to stay indoors due to the reigning Covid-19 pandemic, these safe, walled homes are rather turning out to be torture cells for them.

Only recently, a heart-wrenching video of a disobedient young man beating his mother went viral. Similarly painful videos of women abuse have also surfaced in recent times. Also fresh is the case of Sadaf Zahra, a married woman whose body was found hanging from the ceiling fan by a bed sheet tied around her neck and a ladder lying close by. It is alleged that Zahra was killed by her husband.

The successive governments have, however, taken steps to put a stop to the rampant women abuse. Article 3 and Article 11 of The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan ensures the safety of women against any form of violence. Besides, the National Commission On The Status of Women Bill 2012, the National Policy For Development And Empowerment of Women 2002, and the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 are among the measures adopted to protect women from domestic violence. And very recently, the human rights ministry has launched helpline for women and children to report domestic violence.

Still, an overwhelming majority of women in the country suffer in silence, because they are not aware of their rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Education here comes up in a remedial role. Education raises exposure of girls and women and creates awareness about their rights. In backward areas in particular, the lack of education among females is a big factor contributing to the rise in domestic abuse.

Besides physical torture, sexual abuse, overwork and lack of rest, even worse forms of violence against women are widespread in our society, like child marriage, marriage with the Quran to secure family property, Vani, Swara, etc.

Consequences of domestic violence are far-reaching. It is likely to produce an intergenerational cycle of abuse in children and other family members, who may then develop a mindset of such violence being acceptable.

Domestic violence also leads to increased risk of major health issues like depression, dysthymia, and drug addiction. With women being primary caretakers in our country, children are also exposed to these health problems. According to a study, 54% of women having faced domestic violence suffer from poor mental health. Besides, physical violence has long-term impact on the body. It often causes permanent disfiguration of the body, and permanent disability as well.

Domestic violence continues to take a huge toll on our women, and must stop now. No stone should be left unturned to nip this evil in the bud.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2020.

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