Call to implement laws against domestic violence

Police officer says women reluctant to seek legal help

KARACHI:

Laws against domestic violence, gender-based violence, sexual and child abuse exist, however, implementation remains weak, a noted law practitioner said during the recently concluded Third Women's Conference at Pakistan Arts Council (PAC), The session on Criminal Justice System by Zahra Sehar Vayani with Karachi police chief AIG Ghulam Nabi Memon, Advocate Sara Malkani, Superintendent of Police (SP) Zahida Parveen and Advocate Asiya Munir participated while hosted the session.

AIG Memon said gender-based violence has penetrated the whole society. Sindh police have appointed an official to deal with domestic violence and GBV in every police station. He said that as per policy, the Sindh police gives women more opportunities to succeed in the overall competition." That is why there is a quota for women in the police department." At first, it seemed that there was no scope for women in the police, he said and pointing towards Zahida Parveen he said, "the department acknowledges that she is doing great job." The panellists concurred that the critical question is why domestic violence crimes are not given attention.

Advocate Sara Malkani said, "We strive to bring justice to women and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and gender-based violence. Special laws have been enacted against domestic violence in Sindh, but enforcement of those laws is the most important thing." She said the criminal justice system includes courts, lawyers and law enforcement agencies but even today, "we face many problems in registering our complaints at a police station, and if a complaint is lodged, there are many flaws in the investigation." Proper investigation is essential. It has been observed that when women and girls who are victims of domestic violence need help to protect themselves, the police are not immediately present.

"Our police have to be proactive to reduce such incidents," she said. Expressing her views, SP Sadar Zahida Parveen said that victims of domestic violence rarely resort to getting the FIRs registered. There will be about ten women a year who fight against oppression. We need to run awareness campaigns among women to have the courage to register more complaints against oppression that they face. Lawyer Asiya Munir said that we are not given accurate reports even after we get evidence of sexual and domestic violence.

Even if the girls testify in court, they are threatened with gestures. There is no place to talk there. However, these problems have primarily been overcome because of civil society. I was issued death threats, and my husband's office was set on fire, but I did not withdraw my cases. It is a matter of protection and justice for women, and this passion will last till death.