SOUTHERN PUNJAB :- WORST FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

 

 

 

 

SOUTHERN PUNJAB :- WORST FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

"RAMPANT DOMESTIC ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN  ESPECIALLY IN MULTAN, BAHAWALPUR, D.G.KHAN, LODHRAN ETC. ETC.  EFFECTIVE,  PROMPT & ON-THE-SPOT LEGISLATION REQUIRED AGAINST ABUSERS"

"GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB'S  STEPS APPLAUDED AS IT IS TIME FOR ACTION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN"

 

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? 

                Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery , sexual assault and or other abusive behaviour as part of systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.  It includes physical violence , sexual violence , psychological violence and emotional abuse.

Domestic violence is rampant throughout  the world.  But in Pakistan especially in Southern Punjab, female victims of such violence are left without reprieve as they have to suffer the dogma of being labelled loose or weak woman if they decide to stand up to their abusers who are usually  male family members.

In Pakistan, domestic violence is considered a private matter, as it occurs in the family and women have to  face discrimination and violence on a daily basis due to to the cultural norms that Pakistani society embraces.  Some common types of violence include honour killing, spousal abuse including marital rape, acid attacks and being burned by family members.  Spousal abuse is rarely considered a crime socially unless it takes an extreme form of murder or attempted murder.

Women being traded for reconciliation, forced into marriages for political reasons and attaining tribal peace in rural or Northern areas.   Being killed for the sake of man's ethics and man made values is an accepted norms in this part of the globe even in this day & age.

Hitting, slapping ,  shoving ,  grabbing , pinching ,  biting ,  hair pulling etc are type of physical abuse.  coercing , 

attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behaviour without consent.  Sexual abuse is not limited to marital rape attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing to sex  after physical violence has occurred or treating one in a sexually demeaning manners.     It includes psychological violence and emotional abuse. 

Historically,  in Indo Pak's tribal & rural cultures women were treated as property of men.  Role of women has been submission, to serve as a commodity and to sacrifice herself for the sake of values determined.   Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age ,  sexual orientation,  religion or gender.  

Domestic violence effects people of socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.  Domestic violence not only effects those who are abused, but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, co-workers and community at large.  Children who grown up witnessing domestic violence, are among the seriously effected by this crime .   Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children  to numerous social diseases but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life.

The scenario clearly reflects that violence against women is a social problem in Pakistan which has never been appropriately dealt by the Government.  It is estimated that in Pakistan about 70% of domestic servants are females whom also badly treated under domestic violence.  The child labour of Act of 1991 made employment of children illegal. As well as  bill was passed banning domestic violence in 2009 by the government but no case of domestic violence has been known to have led to punishment.

The judiciary is predominated by male judges and Pakistan does not even have 1% female judges.  This is also a major factor of violence against women.  Keeping in view the shocking statistics of violence against women in Punjab which is highest in the country.  It has become all the important to legislate effectively to curb this menace besides making efforts to sensitive society on the issue.  Law need to be made for protection of woman rights.  The aristocratic thinking of the males need to be changed.  Women should be educated regarding their rights & values in the family. Awareness campaigns should be launched for both women and men as Pakistan ranks as the 3rd most dangerous country for women to survive.

At last it is very much good news for women that recently Punjab Assembly has passed the long awaited Protection of women against violence bill which contains remedies for victims and also provides them with special Centers.