Violence against women rising: report | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Violence against women rising: report

KARACHI – The representatives of civil society organisations and political parties have raised their concerns on increasing incidents of violence against women in Pakistan particularly the wave of incidents of murder and honour killing incidents in Karachi.

The participants of a consultative meeting organised by Aurat Foundation last evening at its Karachi office, on the situation of violence against women under its policy and data-monitor on VAW project, demanded government to take stern action against accused involved in violence against women.

MPA of PML-F Nusrat Sahar Abbasi said government had failed to protect women due to its lack of political will. Government seems helpless before the perpetrators and that is why the incidents of violence against women had been increasing day by day, she added. She told that women caucus of parliamentarians had been formed here in Sindh to address the issues of women, that would take steps for the development of women.

Lala Hassan, regional coordinator of Aurat Foundation told that Police could not recover Ms Khushbakht, who went missing after the murder of her lover Irfan Pathan in Sukkur; while murderers of Babli Lashari were still at large.

He told that a student of tenth class Asmat was raped by three teachers with the help of a woman in Faiz Ganj, Khairpur Mir’s district. Local PPP leaders were supporting accused and education department had not takenany action against those alleged accused teachers due influence of teachers association and an Awam dost UC Nazim.

Uzma Noorani of HRCP emphasised to run campaign of awareness for judiciary and police department officials to combat violence against women incidents.

Zahid Farooque of URC, Ajiz Jamali and Riaz Suhail said government should take immediate notice of increasing incidents of honour killing and murders of women in Karachi and they emphasised on proper follow up of VAW cases.

Saleha Athar said women parliamentarians should play their role for elimination of violence against women and take appropriate actions for their economic empowerment.

Sobhia Agha of prevention honour killing project of police department said police officials had been sensitized to deal with women issues.

The participants pointed out that the fundamental rights of the womenfolk in Pakistan were violated in the name of modesty and honour. Social attitudes, cultural practices and religious misconceptions had not only denied women their rights but also paved way towards increasing violence against them, they said.

Shamim Mumtaz Wasee, Shireen Aejaz, Gloria, Adam Malik and others also spoke at the occasion.
Source: The Nation
Date:10/18/2009