South Asian conference: Raising their voices against bias

Women rights’ activists call for passing law on domestic violence.

ISLAMABAD:

Enduring violence against women in South Asian countries poses a daunting challenge. The situation is aggravated by legitimisation of the crime by the community, poor governance, institutional mechanism and low prioritisation of social issues.

This was discussed by female activists at the South Asian conference on “Reclaiming Space -- from Victimhood to Agency: State and Civil Society Response on Violence Against Women” here on Thursday.

The speakers expressed their concerns for the women in the region, who are forced to abide by the rules of patriarchal social system, which reinforces gender inequalities. They urged for a collective struggle and structural reform against violence against women in all South Asian countries.

Delegates from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are participating in the three-day conference. The event marks a shift in women’s struggle against violence, where the silence against violence has been broken but redress mechanism for survivors remains poor. Speakers said the state of protection for women through a collaborative and integrated service delivery approach across institutions remains a weak area in South Asia.

The patriarchal values make it difficult for women to seek redress or prove the atrocities committed against them, as they have little support from the community and state. The survivors of violence, especially sexual abuse, who stand up for their rights and resist their subordinate positions face dreadful challenges. Police response can range from being ineffectual to discriminatory; the health system is no different.

The discussion focused on the challenges being faced by the countries in implementing legislation on domestic violence and why it has failed to provide comprehensive protection to women in the countries where it does exist.

Speakers highlighted that Pakistan is the only South Asian country that has yet to pass a law on domestic violence.

Mukharan Mai, a victim of violence who now fights for women’s rights, said, “To end violence against women there is a dire need to educate all men in the society.”

UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Rashida Manjoo said there remains a “nexus between poverty, exclusion and violence against women. These women fear retaliation, are unaware of their rights, or lack support to take their voices heard.”

Dr Hameeda Hosain from Bangladesh narrated how in 1995, rape by four policemen led to legal advocacy. Later in 1996, the Bangladeshi women moved for another amendment in violence laws.

Kamla Bhasin from India rejected the “greed-based paradigm of poverty” calling it a manifestation of neo-imperialism and neo-liberalism, which doesn’t favour women and their movements.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2011.