Gender-based violence: ‘Make violence against women cognisable offence’
Participants of a rally taken out to condemn violence against women urged the government to pass legislation against domestic violence and violence perpetuated by the state machinery to make it a cognisable offence.
The rally, Protect Women against Violence, was taken out by the Peace and Human Development (PHD) Foundation and the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with several non government organisations including the Aitbar Foundation, CARE Foundation. The rally marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on November 25. It was led by PML-N MNA Khalida Mansoor.
The participants held placards and banners criticising various forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence in the family, community and that are perpetrated or condoned by the state in the form of anti-women laws and customary practices against women.
They also chanted slogans in support of recognition of women’s rights and against gender-based violence and discrimination.
AWAM Director Shazia Sardar said that though the government had set up crises centres to protect women who were victims of violence, funds for these centres were not being released. “Women face economic exploitation and violence. Their wages are far lower than that of their male counterparts. The government must legally recognise the unrecognised women workers engaged in informal sectors including home-based workers, peasants and domestic workers.”
She also demanded the government approve the International Liberation Organisation conventions protecting rights of home-based workers and domestic workers.
AWAM coordinator Shazia George talked about forced sterilisation of the women with disabilities and said it was a horrendous act.
AWAM executive secretary Naseem Anthony said that the greater acceptance of violence was the root cause behind all forms of violence against women in a patriarchal society.He said, “Violence is a serious violation of human rights, but regrettably the majority of people do not recognise many forms of gender based violence as crime in Pakistan. They are rather considered a part of our culture and the fate of women.” PHD Foundation director Suneel Malik said it was sad that the elements responsible for protecting citizens were also sometimes found involved in gender based violence. He cited jails and shelter homes as examples.
Mehwish Anam, convener of the Association of Research and Development of Rural Areas, stressed the need for collective efforts by the governments, media, educators, religious leaders, families and women’s rights activist to create a society free of gender-based discrimination and violence.
At least 300 women, including lawyers, university students and representatives of trade unions, political parties and civil society organisations, joined the rally.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2012.
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