Pakistan- 4,504 women killed in KP during the last 11 years: report
PESHAWAR: Aurat Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) working for the rights of women in Pakistan, has issued its annual report which says as many as 7,206 cases of violence against women were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 4,504 women and girls were killed during the last 11 years.
These details were shared by the officials of Aurat Foundation at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday while sharing a report in connection with the Human Rights Day.
Aurat Foundation Program Officer Saima Munir said the details shared by her organization are limited to only those incidents which have been reported in the media. She said the number of unreported cases is even much higher. ‘It means that at least two incidents of violence against women happen daily,’ she noted.
The annual report mentioned that 778 women were killed in 2019, 646 in 2018, 777 in 2017, 663 in 2016, 425 in 2015, 736 in 2014, 597 in 2013, 674 in 2012, 694 in 2011, 650 in 2010, and 615 in 2009.
According to the report, in most cases, women were killed just because of their gender. Another alarming fact revealed in the report was that in most cases the killers were close relatives of the victim women and most of the times they escaped punishment.
Saima Munir expressed grave concern over the weak prosecution and lack of evidence against such culprits due to which they escaped punishments. She also criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which despite being in majority in the House, was unable to make laws to curb domestic violence. She said the government enjoys majority and can easily enact laws to protect women, but it is not happening. She said the government should at least ensure that the existing laws of violence against women are implemented.
The program officer said the women’s rights organizations are continuously raising their voice, but those in power seem to be least bothered. She also questioned the performance of institutions established in the name of protection of rights of women. She said victims of violence deserve justice and it is the responsibility of government to provide justice.
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