Balochistan incidents: ‘187 cases of violence against women in 2014’

Some 75 were murdered in the name of honour

QUETTA: At least 187 cases of violence against women were reported across Balochistan in 2014, women’s rights organisation Aurat Foundation Balochistan said in its annual report on Thursday.

The foundation issued the report under a project entitled “Police and Data Monitoring on Violence against Women”. In 2013, 151 cases of violence against women were reported in the restive province.

“As many as 75 women were murdered on the pretext of so-called “honour” in different parts of Balochistan this year,” stated the report. The data showed a surge in violence as compared to the previous year, when some 45 women were killed in the name of honour. Most of the cases took place in the Nasirabad and Sibi divisions.



The report stated that as many as 46 women were killed. However, the reasons were not mentioned in the report.

At least 21 women committed suicide due to the domestic problems while three cases were reported about domestic violence against women. Six women were kidnapped and four were gang raped during the 12 months in 2014 in Balochistan.

Moreover, some 27 cases of different kinds of violence against the weaker sex were reported, including five cases of acid attacks.

“There is a conflict between culture of the tribal society and Islamic teachings. There are some culture constraints for women in the society which Islam does not allow,” Aurat Foundation noted in its report.

The foundation urged for greater political and economic strength of women in the society. “There is a need to give equal representation to women in every field of life,” Aurat Foundation said. “The women should be given education like their men counterparts.”

The social organisation added that there is a dire need for legislation at government level to deliver the status women deserved. “There would be no change until the approach and behavior is not changed towards women.”

Last year 151 cases of violence against women were reported — 45 of whom were murdered on the pretext of honor, 20 committed suicide on domestic issues, one was gang raped, 42 were murdered for reasons not mentioned and 14 were kidnapped.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2014.