Despite legislation, sensitisation efforts and religious sanctity, women in our society still have to face different plights (harassment and assaults) on a routine basis. Crimes against women, at the workplace and within their homes, are on a rapid rise. Women in Chichawatni are nowadays facing a new challenge when they venture out of their homes. Reportedly, about 30 females have been physically injured with knives during their market trips in the last two weeks. The attacker is now identified by his style and knife cuts. The accused reportedly uses motorbikes to harm the women passing by. Initially, young girls wearing jeans became victims, with all the reported incidents occurring after sunset. But later, old ladies were targeted as well.
These incidents have paralysed life in a city of about 0.2 million people. The females — even those staying inside their own homes — are afraid. Women now avoid visiting the markets, even to purchase household items, etc., and parents refrain from sending their daughters to tuition centres after sunset. The shopping markets of the city are now deserted. Resultantly, shopkeepers are worried about their business activities as women are their biggest clients.
The women of the area believe that some religious fanatic may be behind these crimes but the police remain clueless till now. No arrests have been made and the motives behind the attacks are still unknown even after three cases having been filed under the anti-terrorism act. Whether this is the work of an organised gang in the area or an individual, is also an unanswered query.
Why are women being targeted in this manner? The incidents show that women are vulnerable to any attack and the law enforcement agencies are too weak and ill-equipped to trace the accused.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2013.
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