47 incidents last year: Surge in violence against women

16 women lost their lives whereas seven were raped in Balochistan

QUETTA:

47 incidents of violence were reported against women last year from four districts of the province, according to a report released by the Aurat Foundation’s Balochistan chapter.

While addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club on Sunday, Provincial Director of the Aurat Foundation, Allauddin Khilji alongside Member National Commission for Women, Fatima Khan disclosed that 16 women were killed and seven were raped in the aforementioned incidents of violence.

The data shared with the media was collected in 2020 from four districts of Balochistan including Quetta, Turbat, Gwadar and Sibi.

“March 8 is a symbol of women’s struggle for their rights throughout the world,” they said.

Fatima added that even though the incidents during the coronavirus epidemic were reported in a very limited scope still the number of such incidents is alarmingly high.

She said that a monthly review concluded that the number of such cases were very high in July during the peak of Covid-19 and subsequently decreased before rising again in December.

On the occasion, Khilji relayed that out of the 16 women killed, one committed suicide, two were killed in the name of honour and 13 were abducted. “In the last two months, 10 people have been killed in five reported incidents, in the name of honour in Balochistan.”

He added that the International Women’s Day in Pakistan is significant due to the miserable condition of the female gender with over 50 per cent population.

“The Pakistani women’s movement played an important role in raising awareness,” Fatima Khan said. “Women’s Front, Aurat March, APWA and other social organisations fought for women’s rights.”

She highlighted that the Aurat Foundation has released an investigation report on the incidents of violence against women and girls in Pakistan from January to December 2020 in Quetta.

Expressing his reservations, Khilji said that there is no chairperson of National Commission for Women in Pakistan.

“No member or chairperson of Punjab Commission for Women has been appointed. Balochistan Commission for Women is yet to be formed. Seats are lying vacant,” he said. “In 2013, a law was passed to appoint an ombudsman, but this has not been implemented as yet.”

On the other hand, Parliamentary Secretary for Information Bushra Rind in her message on the occasion of International Women’s Day said that empowerment of women is part of the Constitution of Pakistan and the government will ensure the central role of women in all spheres of life.

“In Balochistan, women are being encouraged to play a key role in every sphere of national life, including politics,” she said, adding that more girls than ever before are pursuing higher education and engaging in professional fields.

Read Lady health workers - Pakistan's frontline changemakers 

The provincial government has also set up an endowment fund under which women with disabilities will receive financial assistance.

“We are working impartially to identify women’s issues and formulate workable proposals for their immediate solution,” Bushra said. “Steps are being taken to empower the women of Balochistan in the economic and political decision making process and to play an active role in all spheres of society.”

The parliamentary secretary also highlighted that the provincial government has fixed special quotas for women in jobs and how the current government has taken significant steps to protect women from discrimination through measures such as the Women Protection Act apart from prompt action against workplace harassment.

Chairperson of Women’s Caucus Forum, Dr Rababa Khan Buledi, pledged to empower women of Balochistan in all walks of life including economic and decision-making.

She said that the struggle and efforts of women members of the Balochistan Assembly for women’s rights would play a historic role in the form of effective legislation.

In a statement issued from the women’s caucus’s forum secretariat, Dr Buledi said that unlike other assemblies, the Balochistan Assembly has enacted effective legislation for the protection of women, children and human rights through mutual consultation.

“A civilised society can be formed only by ending the exploitation of women on the basis of gender. If we look at the history, it is clear that women have played a dynamic and significant role in the movement of Pakistan, including Islamic and civilised human societies,” she said, adding that Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal is committed to provide equal opportunities for development to women in all walks of life and for the first time under his leadership Women Development Department is playing an active role in the province.

The Women Caucus Forum is proposing several measures to enhance capacity of women MPAs of Balochistan Assembly.

Dr Buledi said that all women members of the assembly have the same stance for providing equal opportunities to women and to empower women’s rights irrespective of party affiliation. “All women members are determined to continue to empower the women of Balochistan in this decision-making forum.”

March 8 is celebrated every year since 1907 and 1908 to show solidarity with women who fight for their rights. On this day, women all over the world unite and raise their voice for their rights.

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