Violence against women on the rise in rural Sindh
KARACHI: The incidents of violence are on rise in tribal areas of Sindh especially in districts bordering Balochistan province. This was stated by the women speakers at a one day session organised by Pirbhat Women Development Society in support with the UNFPA-Pakistan on ‘Women Friendly Spaces’ here the other day.
Pirbhat Women Development Society, which works on issues gender equality and empowerment of women, is currently engaged in awareness campaign to equip the women with knowledge of their rights in flood affected areas of Jacobabad and Kashmore, besides it is also collecting the data of prevalence of gender violence in tribal areas of province. At least 200 women from different villages including village Haji Maula Bux, Khan Muhammad, Ali Baig Noonari, Muhammad Channa, Fazal Muhammad Gujrani in two districts Jacobabad and Kashmore districts.
The purpose of event is to create awareness on gender-based violence in flood affected areas. Musarat Mastoi while sharing the outcome of the awareness campaign said the violence especially domestic violence increased in the tribal areas.
She said that the male members of family consider the beating to women as their right. In many areas, girls have no right to attend school as some tribal still believed the education for women not part of their culture.
She said that the violence against women was a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which had led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women.
Though, there is no difference between male and female, all rights are equal, but lack of awareness and proper education are reasons for increasing violence against the women, Musarat opined. He emphasized on the government for providing education facilities in tribal districts of the province to enable change of mindset towards gender equality. She said that violence against women was increasing, although, adding that lack of implementation on the laws pertaining to women rights. She underlined the need for effective implementation on laws at all levels.
Nasreen Baloch of Pirbhat said that Jacobabad and other areas are in disaster situation for last many years as communities lost everything/belongings related to their sources of survivors in last consecutive devastating floodwaters during last two years.
The women protection issues occur for instance security in open camps, proper nutrition, heath and others issues, emphasising for coordinated efforts at all levels to address the issues. Khalida Soomro, Shanul Khoso, Muhammad Salah and others also spoke on the occasion.
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