Anti-violence cell

In recent months, violence against women in the country has assumed epidemic proportions. This inhuman phenomenon is not limited to Pakistan as women face violence and harassment in most countries. The government is taking measures to stop the seemingly endless cycle of gender-based violence and discrimination. Together with the enactment of the Anti-rape law that prescribes deterrent punishment for rape, the government is taking many other steps to prevent harassment of, and violence against, women. Since many cases of violence and harassment go unreported because of the social stigma attached to the victims, now the first anti-violence cell has been set up at a police station in Lahore. This is in line with the orders of the Punjab IG that such cells should be established throughout the province to help victims of violence.

The orders came after around 400 men surrounded a young woman and harassed her recently at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. Under the plan to curb violence against women, measures will be taken that will break the morale of the suspects/accused and strengthen the confidence of the victims. Those with rotten criminal records among the suspects will have to report at the cell on a regular basis. Hotspots of violence of sexual nature and harassment will be identified with the help of technology. To enable women to tell their whole story, female victim support officers will be appointed. Required assistance and guidance will be provided to victim women. The victims will also be provided help in investigation and prosecution of cases. This is significant because cases of violence against women languish in courts for years, and the victim is reportedly asked to reach a compromise with the offender and in some cases, she is also urged to marry the latter.

The anti-violence cell will help women avoid these unseemly situations. Men, in general, should come forward to reassure women that they would protect them against violence. The media can play an important role in educating men to respect women and girls.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2021.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.