The situation of women in Pakistan is uncertain today. If we look at the statistics, it seems that there is no end to incidents of violence against women.
Eighty per cent of the violence against women cases are pending in lower courts in Pakistan involve family members. Around 1,000 women are sexually abused in the country every year but they go un-reported because women know they cannot survive with such a stigma.
Figuratively:
1. Estimates of the percentage of women who experience spousal abuse alone range from 70 to upwards of 90 percent.
2. As many as eight women - half of them minors - are raped in Pakistan everyday.
3. Both reported and unreported rapes indicated the number of victims to be over 10,000 a year.
4. The women crises center received only 201 cases of violence against women since it was set up two years ago, forming only 15 per cent of the actual number.
5. Nearly, 85% of the cases were not reported by women because of the predominant male-dominated society and illiteracy.
6. 87 cases out of 201 cases were related to domestic violence followed by physical torture and abuse, dowry, financial problems and harassment.
Women in Pakistan face staggeringly high rates of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence while their attackers largely go unpunished owing to rampant incompetence, corruption, and biases against women throughout the criminal justice system.
The crimes involved ranged from murder, honour killing, gang rape, non-registration of FIR, non-arrest of the accused, kidnapping, abduction and domestic violence.
Bottom line
A strong feudal and patriarchal social structure, cultural bias against women and the acceptance of traditional customary laws have created an environment that is not conducive to the aspirations of the contemporary women.
A fundamental issue has to be resolved - the fate of law making. Is it going to be based on principles of equality or politicized in the name of Islam?
However, it must be kept in mind, if Pakistan wants to maintain its image as a civilized and progressive country, women’s issues must addressed immediately.
