10-year-old girl raped in Charsadda

Child’s rights activist urges creating awareness among parents to protect children

CHARSADDA:

A 10-year-old girl was raped by her brother-in-law in Charsadda district’s Parang area on Tuesday (January 5), it surfaced on Thursday. The police have registered a first information report (FIR) and apprehended the culprit.

The FIR, registered on the complaint of the victim’s mother, stated that the accused Saleem, a resident of Charsadda, is her son-in-law and married to her eldest daughter for the last four years. She relayed that two days ago, Saleem visited her house and took her 10-year-old daughter along with him. She states in the FIR that on January 6, the health of her child suddenly deteriorated and upon inquiry, her daughter informed that her brother-in-law Saleem had raped her at his residence and ever since her condition was not good.

The 38-year-old accused is expected to be presented in court soon, whereas the child has been sent for a medical examination and hospitalised.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, child rights activist Imran Takkar said, “It is unfortunate that we often talk about the lack of government’s interest in things in our country but the ground reality is different.

“Yes, the government is not interested in these things due to the lack of resources but it is also true that parents also lack awareness.

“It is the responsibility of the parents to protect their children and not trust anyone, including close relatives.”

Takkar highlighted how it was essential to understand one thing that the parents and their children were the primary stakeholders.

“Children should also be told about such things to enable them to protect themselves against predators. Without awareness in parents and children, no one will be able to protect them,” Takkar argued. “We cannot hide our own weaknesses under the cover of cultural values as well as local of government support.”

The child’s rights activist said that it was unfortunate that under the eastern culture, “we are taught to respect and trust everyone older in age”.

“Respect is fine but trusting even your relatives for the safety of your children is not a good thing. Such trust could lead to sexual exploitations and much more.”

Takkar emphasised on adopting a different approach to the situation. “If parents do not fulfil their responsibility, no one can save their children. Be it the government or any kind of child protection mechanism,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2021.