The damning state of Pakistan's women

[saeedhk]

Pakistani women are undereducated, physically and mentally abused and lack access to information and financial services.​

Economic indicators are an important measure to track a country’s progress, but by themselves and without context, they do not mean much.

Looking at economic data, quarter by quarter, year by year, without focusing on what’s driving changes, or lack thereof, is like looking at the blood sugar levels of a patient without paying attention to that person’s lifestyle or dietary habits.

In the run-up to this fiscal year’s budget, Pakistan’s print, electronic and social media has been drowning in economic data. However, almost no one has paid attention to the underlying social indicators that reflect what ails Pakistan’s economy and its society at large.

A holistic analysis of these ailments is worthy of a thesis by itself. I will, however, try to use some key — and at times, shocking — indicators to paint a picture of the crisis facing Pakistan.

But first, a bit about economic development: sustainable economic growth of a society occurs when a strong social foundation exists, and this foundation is only laid when key indicators, particularly those that measure the wellbeing of women in society, begin to improve.

GDP growth, exports, tax revenues, foreign exchange reserves and other economic indicators can only be sustainably improved when such a foundation exists.

The 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) offers us a glimpse into key social indicators and can explain why Pakistan is consistently falling behind the rest of the world. According to this survey, Pakistan’s women are undereducated, physically and mentally abused and lack access to information and financial services.

According to the survey data, almost 49.2 per cent of ever-married women aged 15-49 had no education whatsoever (the figure is 25.4pc for men). If you look at rural women by themselves, the figure rises to nearly 61.6pc (33.3pc for men).

Only 13.1pc of women in Pakistan have attained an education level of Class 11 or higher (18.9pc for men); 21.5pc of women who have had no schooling or studied between Class 1-9 can read a whole sentence (24pc for men).

Half of the women surveyed were illiterate, which is evidence on its own that the state has failed its citizens.

Based on these indicators, we can conclude that women in Pakistan have a strong disadvantage in terms of access to employment and information. This has dire consequences not only for women themselves, but for their children and society writ large.

Literacy and violence
Many in Pakistan claim that social media and the internet have changed the country, but according to the data, the information age has yet to reach almost 9 in 10 women in Pakistan. The PDHS data shows that 29.8pc of men surveyed have ever used the internet, while only 12.6pc of women reported to have ever used the internet.

High illiteracy means that women cannot inform themselves, and the PDHS shows that only 5.1pc of women read a newspaper at least once a week, compared to 27.1pc of men.

Only 6pc of women have and use a bank account, compared to 31.6pc of men. 92.7pc of men own a mobile phone, while only 39.2pc of women said that they own a mobile phone.

Lack of education and access to information leads to a lack of employment opportunities. Only 17.3pc of women said that they were currently employed (96.1pc for men), while an astounding 80pc of women said they had not been employed in the last 12 months preceding the survey (2.3pc for men).

The data also highlights that even when women attain education, they tend to not work.

According to the PDHS, 62.5pc of women in the highest wealth quintile have attained an education level of Class 10 or higher. However, the employment rate is only 11.5pc among these wealthy women, meaning that the vast majority of highly educated women are not putting their education to productive use and are choosing to stay at home.

Poorly educated and with little to no prospects of employment, it is also very common for Pakistani women to experience physical violence.

The data shows that 27.6pc of women have experienced physical violence since age 15. Within this group, 14.6pc reported experiencing physical violence often or sometimes in the past 12 months.

Violence committed by husbands is the most common form of violence women face, and 23.7pc of women reported experiencing physical or sexual violence from their spouse.

These women have no choice but to bear this violence, and 56.4pc of women have never sought help and never told anyone about the violence that they have faced.

Left behind?
Pakistan has a fertility rate of 3.6 births per woman, one of the highest in the world. Poorly educated, facing physical and sexual violence and with little to no access to information, Pakistan’s women are being asked to raise a new generation in a society that is already facing major resource constraints.

According to the PDHS, 38pc of children under the age of five in Pakistan are stunted and 23pc of children under the age of five are underweight. This means that a significant proportion of Pakistan’s future generations are growing up with a high risk of mental and physical disability.

According to the 2017 census, there are over 101 million women in Pakistan, making up almost 49pc of the country’s population. With over a 100 million Pakistani citizens facing an educational, employment, financial, physical, and emotional crisis, is it any surprise that the country continues to fall behind the rest of the world?

It is preposterous that, faced with such a crisis, Pakistan’s elite wants to discuss and debate whether this International Monetary Fund bailout will be the last one ever, whether the country needs a commission to investigate the debt taken on in the last decade or whether a quote is attributed to Gibran or Tagore.

A volcano is bubbling under the surface and it will burst forth sooner or later. If Pakistan does not get its act together, this nuclear-armed country will find itself in a crisis unlike any faced by a nation-state in the twenty-first century.

https://asianews.network/2019/06/26/the-damning-state-of-pakistans-women/

 

[saeedhk]

An eye-opening account of the status and hardships of women in Pakistan. However, most Pakistanis will tell you women are extremely safe and secure in Pakistan and they have a quality living standard so there is no need for women to march for their rights.

If you ask Pakistani mullahs about the statistics, they will say all problems will go away if women stayed at home.

The statistics are awful for a country that prides itself as a nuclear state: half of all married Pakistani women are illiterate and only 13.1pc of women in Pakistan have attained an education level of Class 11 or higher.

 

[AdamM97]

I’ve seen tons of instances where girls from Pakistan have quit college or put their studies on hold because their in-laws want them to focus on having children first. What makes it worse is that their sons are good for nothing and unemployed d*uches.

Our society is pathetic and out of touch with modern reality.

 

[saeedhk]

I’ve seen tons of instances where girls from Pakistan have quit college or put their studies on hold because their in-laws want them to focus on having children first. What makes it worse is that their sons are good for nothing and unemployed d*uches.

Our society is pathetic and out of touch with modern reality.

Yes. I read there are 60,000 nursing graduates in Pakistan who never worked upon graduation or stopped working after two or three years upon graduation because they got married.

 

[jaf348]

Pakistan should look to Bangladesh as an example of empowering women. 94.38% of Bangladeshi women between the ages of 15-24 compared to only 65.55% of Pakistani women. (source UNESCO)

 

[AdamM97]

Pakistan should look to Bangladesh as an example of empowering women. 94.38% of Bangladeshi women between the ages of 15-24 compared to only 65.55% of Pakistani women. (source UNESCO)

Yeah, massive respect to Bangladesh for women empowerment, population control and fast economic growth.

 

[Suleiman]

Should see the comments common people in Pakistan post on Instagram, Facebook or social media whenever it is about a woman, be it a model, an actress, or a sportsperson. Some seriously vile and depraved stuff.

And yet they also pretend to be gatekeepers of Islam. Where does Islam say be unjust to women and people of other religions.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Should see the comments common people in Pakistan post on Instagram, Facebook or social media whenever it is about a woman, be it a model, an actress, or a sportsperson. Some seriously vile and depraved stuff.

And yet they also pretend to be gatekeepers of Islam. Where does Islam say be unjust to women and people of other religions.

Yup. It is the disgusting mindset of our men that needs to change

 

[Suleiman]

Yup. It is the disgusting mindset of our men that needs to change

Not only men, even the women shame other women if skin is showing or if they have an opinion not in tune with the culture.

Zero tolerance. Fully brainwashed.

 

[Pakistanian]

Not only men, even the women shame other women if skin is showing or if they have an opinion not in tune with the culture.

Zero tolerance. Fully brainwashed.

Yeah desi women reinforce gender roles and toxic masculinity. A lot of women peer pressure other women to act and dress a certain way.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Not only men, even the women shame other women if skin is showing or if they have an opinion not in tune with the culture.

Zero tolerance. Fully brainwashed.

Yup. They body shame a lot too. Even when it comes to things that aren’t under their control. Awful people

 

[jaf348]

Should see the comments common people in Pakistan post on Instagram, Facebook or social media whenever it is about a woman, be it a model, an actress, or a sportsperson. Some seriously vile and depraved stuff.

And yet they also pretend to be gatekeepers of Islam. Where does Islam say be unjust to women and people of other religions.

Yep these are the same men that become intoxicated and behave like pigs towards flight attendants when flying on Emirates to/from Dubai but act holier than thou the moment they arrive back in Pakistan.

 

[saeedhk]

Should see the comments common people in Pakistan post on Instagram, Facebook or social media whenever it is about a woman, be it a model, an actress, or a sportsperson. Some seriously vile and depraved stuff.

And yet they also pretend to be gatekeepers of Islam. Where does Islam say be unjust to women and people of other religions.

I see a lot of hate and misogynistic comments under every Pakistani news article I read about women celebrities , rapes, honour killings and acid attacks.

You know Pakistan is a horrible place for women when the most liked comment under an honour killing news article is ‘Iss gharatmand baap ko salaam’.

I just read an article that Yasir Hussain has proposed Iqra Aziz for marriage and most of the user comments are hate comments with most of them centering around how the couple has defamed Islam and how they are spreading vulgarity through out Pakistan.

 

[saeedhk]

Heck, Orya Maqbool pinned the blame of Zainab’s rape on skimpily-clothed women who appear on TV, saying such women provoke men to commit rape.

 

[Azzurri]

[MENTION=48598]saeedhk[/MENTION] Some of your points are absolutely spot on but please don't paint it all gloom with whatever propaganda you have got

 

[saeedhk]

[MENTION=48598]saeedhk[/MENTION] Some of your points are absolutely spot on but please don't paint it all gloom with whatever propaganda you have got

Not propaganda. It is all gloom. You have read and see what is coming out of Pakistan.

 

[Pakpak]

Should see the comments common people in Pakistan post on Instagram, Facebook or social media whenever it is about a woman, be it a model, an actress, or a sportsperson. Some seriously vile and depraved stuff.

And yet they also pretend to be gatekeepers of Islam. Where does Islam say be unjust to women and people of other religions.

Spot on. Even a normal selfie or a picture of an actress and people spout filth on it.

 

[Rinnegan Sasuke]

It's up to changing the mindset of the Pakistani man, which at the moment is in the gutter. Unless we teach boys from a young age that women are more than objects and retainer of Pakistani "ghairat" this topic will go no where. Going back a few months, look at the reaction people had regarding the tamgha-i-imtiaz given to Mehwish Hayat.

 

[miandadrules]

An eye-opening account of the status and hardships of women in Pakistan. However, most Pakistanis will tell you women are extremely safe and secure in Pakistan and they have a quality living standard so there is no need for women to march for their rights.

If you ask Pakistani mullahs about the statistics, they will say all problems will go away if women stayed at home.

The statistics are awful for a country that prides itself as a nuclear state: half of all married Pakistani women are illiterate and only 13.1pc of women in Pakistan have attained an education level of Class 11 or higher.

Most Pakistani men will tell you that.

I can’t think of any laws in Muslim countries where laws were created put forward by women for women.

It’s almost always men telling women what is best for them.

Great formula for a flourishing society.

 

[miandadrules]

Yes. I read there are 60,000 nursing graduates in Pakistan who never worked upon graduation or stopped working after two or three years upon graduation because they got married.

There is a massive Nursing crisis in Pakistan.

We don’t necessarily need more doctors compared for the desperate need of Nurses and HCAs.

 

[Rinnegan Sasuke]

Most Pakistani men will tell you that.

I can’t think of any laws in Muslim countries where laws were created put forward by women for women.

It’s almost always men telling women what is best for them.

Great formula for a flourishing society.

I'd like to add that the Pakistani version of respect and security is vastly different from the traditional definition. Rather than economic independence and rights to govern her own self, security here is equated to that of valuable objects like diamonds or food items that may get tainted if left out in the open.

 

[shah_1]

One can look at the reaction of Pakistani male ego being hurt seeing Aurat March in different part of Pakistan.

The situation is even more diabolical in rural area. The mindset needs to change

 

[JaDed]

Yeah desi women reinforce gender roles and toxic masculinity. A lot of women peer pressure other women to act and dress a certain way.

Don't say Desi women, so now you wanna club all Desi women is it?

Indian women have been fighting it tooth and nail since the 1991 liberation, check the amount of Indian women in the workforce now, their literacy.

 

[JaDed]

Most Pakistani men will tell you that.

I can’t think of any laws in Muslim countries where laws were created put forward by women for women.

It’s almost always men telling women what is best for them.

Great formula for a flourishing society.

I think Taslima Nasrin wrote an article along the lines as to how women in South Asia, the men have to hold their hand and move forward or become individuals whereas in the west the movement is led by women themselves for past 50 years.

 

[Syed1]

Mindset is changing for the better in the middle and elite classes atleast. Majority of the women go to schools, universities and take up jobs after. Obviously there are some princesses and papi ki pari who just sit at home and chill, however, I feel alot more women are entering the work force every year.



Then there are the poorest segment of society, these women have no choice but to work as it is a matter of life and death. These are the women you see working in the fields or as domestic help in middle-upper class houses.


The segment of women who are not working are the lower middle class where the man earns just about enough to put food on the table and they don't feel the need to let their women out of the house to supplement income. This unfortunately is the largest segment of the population. Inshallah with growing literacy rate which is expected to go in the 70s and 80s in the next decade or two we might see more women entering workforce.

 

[aqeelPK]

Mindset is changing for the better in the middle and elite classes atleast. Majority of the women go to schools, universities and take up jobs after. Obviously there are some princesses and papi ki pari who just sit at home and chill, however, I feel alot more women are entering the work force every year.



Then there are the poorest segment of society, these women have no choice but to work as it is a matter of life and death. These are the women you see working in the fields or as domestic help in middle-upper class houses.


The segment of women who are not working are the lower middle class where the man earns just about enough to put food on the table and they don't feel the need to let their women out of the house to supplement income. This unfortunately is the largest segment of the population. Inshallah with growing literacy rate which is expected to go in the 70s and 80s in the next decade or two we might see more women entering workforce.

Excellent summary. I think mullahs are also increasing in middle class (offices etc) which is causing significant damage.

 

[CricketDon]

Pakistani men are insecure and don’t want women’s o be empowered and have freedom and jobs and financial security. They know they would realise they don’t need these controlling wastes of space and would leave.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Don't say Desi women, so now you wanna club all Desi women is it?

Indian women have been fighting it tooth and nail since the 1991 liberation, check the amount of Indian women in the workforce now, their literacy.

He’s right though. I have Indian friends who are girls and they say the same. We aren’t talking purely about jobs, education etc but also mindset.

 

[JaDed]

He’s right though. I have Indian friends who are girls and they say the same. We aren’t talking purely about jobs, education etc but also mindset.

Women their age mocking them?

 

[AdamM97]

Women their age mocking them?

You do know that India often ranks very low in almost every index related to women empowerment (lower than Pakistan in some, higher than Pakistan in some), right?

 

[PakLFC]

We use religion to hold our ladies back. They in return feel inferior psychologically unable to fight for themselves. No one has ever empowered the vast majority of ladies in Pak. We keep them uneducated in fear of them thinking for themselves. Whenever someone does well instead of encouraging her we attack her character accusing her of everything under the sun. Most Pak men are afraid of our ladies being independent and educated. India is no yardstick to judge successful ladies so never mind what they do or don't do.

 

[JaDed]

You do know that India often ranks very low in almost every index related to women empowerment (lower than Pakistan in some, higher than Pakistan in some), right?

Yes, could you please share stats though.

 

[AdamM97]

Yes, could you please share stats though.

Sure.

https://poll2018.trust.org/

This is just one of many. Pakistan and India are bad nations to be a woman in and there's no denying that.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

Sure.

https://poll2018.trust.org/

This is just one of many. Pakistan and India are bad nations to be a woman in and there's no denying that.

LOL india at #1

 

[sjahmed23]

It's true. Even looking at my own family, none of my female cousins work despite all being educated to be doctors or engineers. Some may have worked for a few years before marriage for a few years but quit soon after due to whatever reasons.

 

[yasir]

We use religion to hold our ladies back. They in return feel inferior psychologically unable to fight for themselves. No one has ever empowered the vast majority of ladies in Pak. We keep them uneducated in fear of them thinking for themselves. Whenever someone does well instead of encouraging her we attack her character accusing her of everything under the sun. Most Pak men are afraid of our ladies being independent and educated. India is no yardstick to judge successful ladies so never mind what they do or don't do.

Your tone is, real problem is with messengers aka 1.7B Muslims who are following a divine message, nothing wrong with message itself...According to Quran men and women are legally not equal 1:2 ratio, it is not surprising that most stats posted in above posted has 1:2 ratio between men and women... This kind of thinking is source of problem, not blame the foundation of society and its culture which is religion.

More religious people are, more they suppress women, why you are not co-relating that causation?? - Religion not only protect male chauvinism but is the biggest source of it... No society has empower women without confront male chauvinism and religion. In western societies there is strong pockets of liberals, anti-religious forces, who confront religious ideology (not lip services, it’s just us followers have moral issues, nothing wrong with message ) at its core. Science has armed them with all they need to go after religion. Science is not helping build strong economies but to fight dogma of religion. Without going after religion no true progress can ever be made in 1.7B of Muslim culture

 

[JaDed]

Sure.

https://poll2018.trust.org/

This is just one of many. Pakistan and India are bad nations to be a woman in and there's no denying that.

Thanks, here is another from a different perspective, in this the women in Parliament is where Pak beats India, hopefully 10 years down the line there is more improvement.

http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/GII

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

While condition of women should be better, try to look at it from another view. In the last 100 years how much progress women have made in the region. 100 years most women would be illiterate, and stay at home and look after the kids and cook and clean. Now we have women doctors, professors, models, soldiers, even cricket players. We have even had a women prime minister.

The western countries did not have an Epiphany that made them change. It was a gradual progress, and each generation added progress. Pakistan will continue to make progress, but you cant rush change.

 

[aukhan]

Blame the mullahs actually. They are the ones who brain wash Pakistani man in friday sermons that any women who works despite having no financial problem is doing a sin and man in their family who allows them to work are beghairat. Young boys are impressionable and the mindset develops that religion stops women from working and those who work are characterless and blah blah.

The mindset won't change until you stop these matric fail mullahs from becoming thekaydaars of Islam. Zia Ul Haq has damaged this country big time.

 

[AdamM97]

Thanks, here is another from a different perspective, in this the women in Parliament is where Pak beats India, hopefully 10 years down the line there is more improvement.

http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/GII

If beating Pakistan in any index makes you happy, then i can only laugh at you. My point was that South Asia is s sh*tty place to be a woman regardless of what South Asian nation we’re talking about.

 

[saeedhk]

Pakistan ranks 148th out of 149 on gender equality scale, India way ahead at 108.

 

[PakLFC]

Your tone is, real problem is with messengers aka 1.7B Muslims who are following a divine message, nothing wrong with message itself...According to Quran men and women are legally not equal 1:2 ratio, it is not surprising that most stats posted in above posted has 1:2 ratio between men and women... This kind of thinking is source of problem, not blame the foundation of society and its culture which is religion.

More religious people are, more they suppress women, why you are not co-relating that causation?? - Religion not only protect male chauvinism but is the biggest source of it... No society has empower women without confront male chauvinism and religion. In western societies there is strong pockets of liberals, anti-religious forces, who confront religious ideology (not lip services, it’s just us followers have moral issues, nothing wrong with message �����&#56900 at its core. Science has armed them with all they need to go after religion. Science is not helping build strong economies but to fight dogma of religion. Without going after religion no true progress can ever be made in 1.7B of Muslim culture ������

What you talking about "tone" being a message and all? Who said the message of the Qur'an is not the correct one. The subject at hand here is Pakistani Muslim's not the entire worldwide Muslim population which you are on about. The problem once again is how Pakistani men in particular interpret the message with the purpose being to control other people, ladies in particular.

Pak has the most number of practising Muslim's anywhere on earth then why is the country such a mess tell me that? You should be hiding your face after writing such a mail. "More religious people are, more they suppress women, why you are not co-relating that causation??" You can not be serious making such a childish comment suggesting that Islam is about repressing or suppressing people! You are making comments that make no sense at all in your attempts to be an intellectual!! So you are saying that to empower ladies it is necessary to oppress them? Please keep your oppressive views to yourself, it is people like you who are keeping Pakistan well behind the rest of the world. The west gives freedom of thought where people question every religious philosophy from a critics perspective. I do not agree with attacking religious dogma just for the sake off it yet it is far better then killing people in the name of blasphemy or forcing them to leave the country under such charges.

I didn't say that the message of the Qur'an was not divine that you are telling me it is. Please re read your message as most off it makes no sense at all!!

 

[Abdullah719]

One year on. Another case.

Mother of gang-raped victim appeals to PM for justice

RAWALPINDI: Mother of gang rape victim girl, while making appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan for justice, stated that Investigation Officers (IOs) of Rawat Police station twisted investigations to favour the people involved in the rape of her 13-year-old daughter who was gang-raped on 23rd April 2020.

The mother, while producing birth certificate of her daughter issued by Nadra, said with tears in her eyes that she gave Rs300,000 to police investigation officers to obtain justice and to conduct DNA test in time but they were reluctant to do so. “I kept waiting for hours in police station but they were not ready to listen to me,” the victim’s mother sobbed while talking to the media people.

Mother of victim girl alleged that IO breached her trust, adding that he used to address her as sister and daughter but twisted the investigations to favour the alleged rapists by using soft words. “My daughter is less than 13 years of age (12 years and 8 months) and I provided certified prove to them but both the investigation officers of Rawat Police Station inked age of victim girl as 21 years in the First Information Report (FIR) to favour the people involved in the rape”, she said.

She also pointed out that SI also pressurised them to give statement falsely but in the favour of culprits and offered millions of rupees for the reconciliation but she refused to put up her daughter’s honour for sale.

Mother of the victim appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, as he believes in justice and equal implementation of law and she demanded her basic right of justice. “I seek justice against the mighty who molested her minor daughter and acquire from the strength of the police,” she maintained and demanded right of justice for her aggrieved family as culprits were very powerful and police threatening them and her sons for consequences. “The culprits and his family threatening them for dire consequences with names of federal minister and also threatening them to take them to Hangu, from where they would never return alive,” she added.

With tears in her eyes and sobbing, mother of gang-rape victim girl appealed to prime minister that people like these are sitting in power corridors who are supporting the elements ruining honor and respect of poor segments of society. She said family members of culprits with police came to her home and threatened them to for horrendous consequences.

She appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice on her daughter's gang-rape and make justice with her daughter and family. During investigations of this case, the counsel of gang-rape victim had contended that as girl is less than 13 years of age; therefore culprits should be tried under Zainab Alert Bill but police showed the age of victim girl as 21 years to benefit the culprits.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/657590-mother-of-gang-raped-victim-appeals-to-pm-for-justice

 

[Abdullah719]

One year on. Another case.

Mother of gang-raped victim appeals to PM for justice

RAWALPINDI: Mother of gang rape victim girl, while making appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan for justice, stated that Investigation Officers (IOs) of Rawat Police station twisted investigations to favour the people involved in the rape of her 13-year-old daughter who was gang-raped on 23rd April 2020.

The mother, while producing birth certificate of her daughter issued by Nadra, said with tears in her eyes that she gave Rs300,000 to police investigation officers to obtain justice and to conduct DNA test in time but they were reluctant to do so. “I kept waiting for hours in police station but they were not ready to listen to me,” the victim’s mother sobbed while talking to the media people.

Mother of victim girl alleged that IO breached her trust, adding that he used to address her as sister and daughter but twisted the investigations to favour the alleged rapists by using soft words. “My daughter is less than 13 years of age (12 years and 8 months) and I provided certified prove to them but both the investigation officers of Rawat Police Station inked age of victim girl as 21 years in the First Information Report (FIR) to favour the people involved in the rape”, she said.

She also pointed out that SI also pressurised them to give statement falsely but in the favour of culprits and offered millions of rupees for the reconciliation but she refused to put up her daughter’s honour for sale.

Mother of the victim appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, as he believes in justice and equal implementation of law and she demanded her basic right of justice. “I seek justice against the mighty who molested her minor daughter and acquire from the strength of the police,” she maintained and demanded right of justice for her aggrieved family as culprits were very powerful and police threatening them and her sons for consequences. “The culprits and his family threatening them for dire consequences with names of federal minister and also threatening them to take them to Hangu, from where they would never return alive,” she added.

With tears in her eyes and sobbing, mother of gang-rape victim girl appealed to prime minister that people like these are sitting in power corridors who are supporting the elements ruining honor and respect of poor segments of society. She said family members of culprits with police came to her home and threatened them to for horrendous consequences.

She appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice on her daughter's gang-rape and make justice with her daughter and family. During investigations of this case, the counsel of gang-rape victim had contended that as girl is less than 13 years of age; therefore culprits should be tried under Zainab Alert Bill but police showed the age of victim girl as 21 years to benefit the culprits.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/657590-mother-of-gang-raped-victim-appeals-to-pm-for-justice

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RPO Rawalpindi <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTajikSohail?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTajikSohail</a> sab is personally looking into this matter now.</p>— Azhar (@MashwaniAzhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MashwaniAzhar/status/1260114305955123201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Syed1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RPO Rawalpindi <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTajikSohail?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTajikSohail</a> sab is personally looking into this matter now.</p>— Azhar (@MashwaniAzhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MashwaniAzhar/status/1260114305955123201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Those involved in this crime are already arrested & their DNA taken; <br>investigation changed to senior officers including female investigators to ensure merit; those involved in corruption will be dealt with iron hand. <a href="https://t.co/xe0HaLOqKj">https://t.co/xe0HaLOqKj</a></p>— Tajik Sohail Habib (@DrTajikSohail) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTajikSohail/status/1260204350120636416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Karachi women accuse men of harassment, assault in Essa Nagri

A number of men were arrested in Karachi’s Essa Nagri Tuesday afternoon for allegedly harassing a woman and her sister in their neighbourhood, according to the police.

According to a video message recorded by one of the women, the men had been harassing them for more than two years. “They used to threaten me and my sister to become friends with them and often stopped us while we were going to our coaching classes,” she said, adding that two days ago while they were coming back home, one of the men slapped her sister.

“After this attack, I lodged a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency,” she said. The perpetrators also attacked my father after the complaint was lodged, she added.

The police took action after the video went viral on social media and arrested the accused harassers. They are currently in police custody and are being investigated.

According to the police, the parents of the women have recorded their statement but have refused to file a case against them. They said that the men should be warned and released, a police officer said.

Governor Imran Ismail has taken notice of the incident and has instructed the inspector-general of Sindh to immediately investigate the case.

He added that it is the responsibility of the police to protect residents from such incidents.

https://www.samaa.tv/news/pakistan/...cuse-men-of-harassment-assault-in-essa-nagri/

 

[Abdullah719]

Woman stoned to death in Jamshoro district.

Tweet in spoiler contains graphic image.

Spoiler

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">جامشورو ضلعے کے گائوں وڈا چھچھر میں یے لڑکی وزیراں چھچھر وحشيانہ طور پر پتھروں سے سنگسار کرکے بيدردی سے قتل کی گئی ہے. يے وزيراعلیٰ سندھ کا آبائی ضلعہ ہے،ابھی تک قاتل گرفتار نہیں ہوئے. ديہی علاقوں کو خواتين کے ليےمقتل بناديا گيا ہے. حکومت اور عدليہ فورن نوٹس ليں.<br>ايازلطيف پليجو <a href="https://t.co/W02d55aAzV">pic.twitter.com/W02d55aAzV</a></p>— Ayaz Latif Palijo (@AyazLatifPalijo) <a href="https://twitter.com/AyazLatifPalijo/status/1279127722653032448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[sweep_shot]

Karachi women accuse men of harassment, assault in Essa Nagri

A number of men were arrested in Karachi’s Essa Nagri Tuesday afternoon for allegedly harassing a woman and her sister in their neighbourhood, according to the police.

According to a video message recorded by one of the women, the men had been harassing them for more than two years. “They used to threaten me and my sister to become friends with them and often stopped us while we were going to our coaching classes,” she said, adding that two days ago while they were coming back home, one of the men slapped her sister.

“After this attack, I lodged a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency,” she said. The perpetrators also attacked my father after the complaint was lodged, she added.

The police took action after the video went viral on social media and arrested the accused harassers. They are currently in police custody and are being investigated.

According to the police, the parents of the women have recorded their statement but have refused to file a case against them. They said that the men should be warned and released, a police officer said.

Governor Imran Ismail has taken notice of the incident and has instructed the inspector-general of Sindh to immediately investigate the case.

He added that it is the responsibility of the police to protect residents from such incidents.

https://www.samaa.tv/news/pakistan/...cuse-men-of-harassment-assault-in-essa-nagri/

Great job!

Harassing women for no reason should result in serious consequences.

This is why social media can be great sometimes.

 

[King_Kohli]

Woman stoned to death in Jamshoro district.

Tweet in spoiler contains graphic image.

Spoiler

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">جامشورو ضلعے کے گائوں وڈا چھچھر میں یے لڑکی وزیراں چھچھر وحشيانہ طور پر پتھروں سے سنگسار کرکے بيدردی سے قتل کی گئی ہے. يے وزيراعلیٰ سندھ کا آبائی ضلعہ ہے،ابھی تک قاتل گرفتار نہیں ہوئے. ديہی علاقوں کو خواتين کے ليےمقتل بناديا گيا ہے. حکومت اور عدليہ فورن نوٹس ليں.<br>ايازلطيف پليجو <a href="https://t.co/W02d55aAzV">pic.twitter.com/W02d55aAzV</a></p>— Ayaz Latif Palijo (@AyazLatifPalijo) <a href="https://twitter.com/AyazLatifPalijo/status/1279127722653032448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

How come he is allowed to post these kind of pics.
Very sad incident

 

[Abdullah719]

How come he is allowed to post these kind of pics.
Very sad incident

Probably for the shock effect to make sure someone does something about this.

 

[Abdullah719]

Woman stoned to death in Jamshoro district.

Tweet in spoiler contains graphic image.

Spoiler

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">جامشورو ضلعے کے گائوں وڈا چھچھر میں یے لڑکی وزیراں چھچھر وحشيانہ طور پر پتھروں سے سنگسار کرکے بيدردی سے قتل کی گئی ہے. يے وزيراعلیٰ سندھ کا آبائی ضلعہ ہے،ابھی تک قاتل گرفتار نہیں ہوئے. ديہی علاقوں کو خواتين کے ليےمقتل بناديا گيا ہے. حکومت اور عدليہ فورن نوٹس ليں.<br>ايازلطيف پليجو <a href="https://t.co/W02d55aAzV">pic.twitter.com/W02d55aAzV</a></p>— Ayaz Latif Palijo (@AyazLatifPalijo) <a href="https://twitter.com/AyazLatifPalijo/status/1279127722653032448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pakistani woman tortured to death over bride-exchange row in Sindh province

KARACHI: At least two men have been arrested in South Pakistan after a woman in her 20’s was found tortured to death along a main highway last week following a row with her husband’s family involving the tribal tradition of ‘watta satta’ or bride exchange, a senior police official told Arab News on Saturday.

The tradition is a form of marriage involving an arranged, reciprocal exchange of spouses between two families, where a pair usually consisting of a brother and sister are married from one family to another pair from another family-- usually a bride for a bride.

A first information report (FIR) was lodged against the woman’s husband, his brother and another relative by the deceased’s father on the insistence of police.

“We arrested the woman’s husband and his brother who confessed to torturing her but said she was at her father’s home [at the time of death]. Due to this and the suspicious behavior of the father, we are also investigating him,” Jamshoro’s senior superintendent of police, Amjad Sheikh, told Arab News.

The deceased, identified as Waziran Chachar, was married five years ago with the understanding that her brother would eventually be married to her husband’s sister, a custom built on a common promise in Pakistan’s rural areas.

“When Waziran’s father demanded their girl for his son, the family refused,” a local police officer, Rasool Bux Shaikh, told Arab News.

Following the refusal, a row broke out between the families, and two weeks ago Waziran’s father brought her to his home, threatening divorce until a jirga-- an assembly of local elders and leaders-- convinced him to let her go back to her husband’s home.

Waziran’s body was found in the early hours of the morning on June 28 along the Indus highway near the village of Wada Chhachar in Sindh where she lived, Shaikh said.

The custom of Watta Satta, which translates to ‘give and take,’ has long been criticized by human rights organizations due to its underlying threat of retaliation and violence meted out to women as punishments in case of family rows.

According to the results of an initial post-mortem report, Waziran was killed by a blunt weapon. The police are waiting on more conclusive results.

“This can be a car, stone or any other object which is not sharp. We are investigating the case, and digital forensics (of mobile phones) and a detailed post-mortem report will determine who has killed the woman and how,” SSP Sheikh said.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1700031/pakistan

 

[Abdullah719]

Lahore: Men allegedly gang rape woman at motorway

LAHORE: Two men allegedly gang raped a woman in the city’s Gujjarpura area on Tuesday night after she was stranded at the motorway.

The woman, a resident of Gujranwala, was on her way back to the city from Lahore’s Ring Road — at the motorway — at 01:30AM on Tuesday night, when her car ran out of petrol at Gujjarpura around an hour later.

The woman waited for her husband and even phoned a relative. She called the Motorway Police’s emergency helpline 130 for assistance. However, she was told by the operator that she could not be provided help as the emergency beat had not been assigned to anyone.

While she was stuck on the road, two unidentified persons arrived on foot from the nearby area surrounding the motorway and forced the woman and her children out of the car, cut through the fence around the motorway and allegedly raped her in the fields nearby.

The woman said that the men stole Rs100,000, jewelry and ATM cards from her before fleeing.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/712384-lahore-men-allegedly-gang-rape-woman-at-motorway

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIR regarding the lady who was gang raped in Lahore <a href="https://t.co/tyTXyqf07d">pic.twitter.com/tyTXyqf07d</a></p>— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) <a href="https://twitter.com/adeelraja/status/1303742312602886151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW) on Friday said it was “deeply concerned” about the surge in violence against women and urged law enforcement agencies to take strict action and sensitise their staff and officers to ensure that an FIR is registered in such cases without any delay or excuses.

The SCSW, in a statement, suggested that competent and appropriate human and financial resources should be allocated to the government departments, along with strong redressal mechanisms, so that government institutions can be strengthened.

“Funds should also be allocated for raising awareness,” it said, adding that strong linkages should be developed between the government and civil society organisations to provide relief to the women of Sindh.

Read more: Know your rights: What to do if you have been sexually harassed?

The statement comes after a mother of three was allegedly robbed and raped in front of her children after getting stranded on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway late Wednesday when her car ran out of fuel.

The police response was delayed over jurisdiction issues which allowed the criminals to commit the alleged crime and flee.

The commission said that it had observed a delay in the registration of a police report in cases of violence against women.

Shedding light on the reasons, the statement said that in some instances, the police were unwilling to register a first information report (FIR) against the husband, father, brother, or relative of the complainant.

"In such cases it was noted that the police advised the women complainants to solve the matter at home," the body observed.

The commission stated that the LEAs also include “wrong clauses”, which leads to a delay in the registration of the FIR.

Giving an example of the LEAs neglect, the body said: “In one recent case of acid crime, the police had registered the case on the wrong clause and delayed the registration of the FIR, which led to the accused being released on bail. The challan was also not submitted in the respective court on time.”

“Additionally, in several cases of violence against women, families back out of the cases as their lawyers emphasise more on out of court settlements. It has been observed that judges often used their discretionary power to grant bail on interim FIR,” said the statement.

Read more: Lack of coordination between LEAs exposed
Proposing solutions to end the menace, the body said that it has developed a police training manual and requests the police officials to "urgently utilise it in the training of police station staff".

"There is a need for judges and lawyers to be gender sensitised and familiarised with women friendly laws," it added.

The SCSW requested the provincial ombudsperson to take action and slap a fine all those universities and organisations that have not displayed the code of conduct and have failed to form harassment committees so far.

The statement also noted that the Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace Act 2010, has not been implemented in “its full capacity” in the universities and organisations of Sindh.

To validate its claim of the harassment laws not being implemented, the statement said: “During the monitoring visit of Karachi University, SCSW found that the university administration did not have any knowledge about the Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace Act, 2010 did not have their code of conduct displayed in the university and did not have a harassment committee.”

The SCWS has amended several laws including the Sindh Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2018, the Sindh Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, 2016, the Sindh Dowry and Bridal Gifts restriction Act, 2017, The Sindh Domestic Violence (prevention and protection) Act, 2013, The Divorce Act No. IV of 1869, The Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and developed their respective rules of business and sent them to the concerned authorities.

“SCSW urges the concerned government departments that the amended laws be included in the agenda of the cabinet and be presented in the cabinet for approval,” it said.

A significant factor contributing to the suffering of women is that majority of the women helplines are not in full operation.

“In Sindh, there are more than 10 government women helplines and additional private helplines. Government complaint cells, helplines, child protection cell, and shelter home helplines should be upgraded,” it said.

The SCSW demanded that the SOPS that it has created for safe homes should also be adopted “without delay”.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/307412-sc...s-concerns-on-surge-in-violence-against-women

 

[aloo paratha]

News flash for a lot of people, but the more wealthy the people are in a country, the more equal the genders tend to become. How do you expect women in rural villages to get educated when they're living in poor,undeveloped areas. As far as I've seen, in the cities, women have around the same level of education as men. I have many female cousins in Karachi (not in some rich gated areas) who became doctors or engineers, and are working, even after having children. Both my aunts who are 55+ are educated and have been working for years.

Rather than sexism, it's poverty that holds most women around the world back.

 

[sa88]

News flash for a lot of people, but the more wealthy the people are in a country, the more equal the genders tend to become. How do you expect women in rural villages to get educated when they're living in poor,undeveloped areas. As far as I've seen, in the cities, women have around the same level of education as men. I have many female cousins in Karachi (not in some rich gated areas) who became doctors or engineers, and are working, even after having children. Both my aunts who are 55+ are educated and have been working for years.

Rather than sexism, it's poverty that holds most women around the world back.

Agree with this poster. Compulsory education on an emergency war footing is the key. Also a strictly enforced ban on girls being married before 18.

My family are reasonably well off but not elite by any standard. Most of the women my age work as teachers, doctors, lawyers and dentists. A few are housewives but even then they are mostly degree educated.

Education opens up economic opportunity and reduced dependence on abusive men.

 

[Abdullah719]

Teenage girl commits suicide after ‘blackmail’ by her alleged rapists in Thar

A 17-year-old girl, who had allegedly been raped a year earlier, committed suicide in Sindh’s Tharparkar district after she was reportedly blackmailed by the suspects whom her family had accused of sexually assaulting her.

The teenager, who belonged to a Hindu family, took her own life in the early hours of Wednesday by jumping into a deep open well in village Dalan-Jo-Tarr near Chelhar town.

Villagers retrieved the body and shifted it to Mithi Civil Hospital for postmortem examination.

“The girl was raped by three men in mid-July in 2019 and the accused in the case are on bail,” the victim’s father and other relatives told reporters in Mithi.

They alleged that the girl committed suicide after she was blackmailed and harassed by the influential suspects who had raped her.

Chelhar police had registered a first information report (FIR) no. 26/2019, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, against three men on rape charges.

The suspects had not only taken turns to rape the girl but allegedly also filmed the ordeal after taking her to a house.

According to then-Tharparkar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Abdullah Ahmedyar, initial medical reports had confirmed that the girl had been sexually assaulted.

The trial of the case was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. October 15 has now been fixed as the date when evidence in the case will be submitted, the lawyer of the victim’s family, Advocate Mohan Mathrani, told Dawn.com.

No fresh case was registered against the accused after the girl’s death (until the filing of this report), however, one of the three suspects was arrested again by Chelhar police on the orders of Tharparkar SSP Hassan Sardar Niazi.

Chelhar Station House Office Mushtaq Malik said police would register a new case if the family lodges a complaint of blackmail or harassment.

People from different walks of life including rights activists Samtra Manjani, Bheem Raj and others strongly condemned the incident and demanded stern action against those who forced the teenager to take the extreme step.

People of the Meghwar community, as well as workers of various parties, have warned they will stage protests in Thar and other areas against such rising incidents of crimes against women.

The incident comes amid renewed debate and outrage over sexual crimes against women in the country, which was sparked by the gang-rape of a woman on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in front of her children after she was left stranded by a fault in her car.

Amidst countrywide anger, Prime Minister Imran Khan said rapists should be handed down the most severe punishments to curb rising sexual violence, such as either hanging them publicly or chemically castrating them.

A Sindh Police study had revealed earlier this year that as many as 1,287 people, including 586 females, committed suicide across the province over the last five years.

This research was carried out in the wake of growing incidents of suicide, particularly in lower Sindh, the provincial police chief had told Dawn, saying its purpose was partly to sensitise the police and identify triggering factors behind suicides.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1582490/t...fter-blackmail-by-her-alleged-rapists-in-thar

 

[JaDed]

RIP, south Asia has no justice, instead of committing suicide should had killed her assaulters. I think that's what should be taught to desi women instead of being domesticated.

 

[saeedhk]

Pakistan is hell for women and children. There is ZERO justice, compassion and humanity in this country. Sometimes, it fees this country is cursed.

 

[RajBan]

Pakistan is hell for women and children. There is ZERO justice, compassion and humanity in this country. Sometimes, it fees this country is cursed.

I won't say it's too different in India except fee regions like WB, Kerala, Goa and NE. It's not just about security aspect, but also how they are deprived of opportunities in terms of jobs and education is a key concern.

 

[Bigboii]

RIP, south Asia has no justice, instead of committing suicide should had killed her assaulters. I think that's what should be taught to desi women instead of being domesticated.

revenge by murder=lawless society= instability= bad economy`= no food to eat
Only solution is the old boring one of taking time and slowly but surely building up institutions to help combat these issues

 

[Madplayer]

revenge by murder=lawless society= instability= bad economy`= no food to eat
Only solution is the old boring one of taking time and slowly but surely building up institutions to help combat these issues

A woman murdering her rapist is better than her committing suicide. This is when the state fails to provide justice.

 

[Romali_rotti]

I won't say it's too different in India except fee regions like WB, Kerala, Goa and NE. It's not just about security aspect, but also how they are deprived of opportunities in terms of jobs and education is a key concern.

Kerala safe for women ? thats news to me, I am from Kerala too..

 

[Abdullah719]

Punjab CM takes notice of woman’s gang-rape in Nankana Sahib

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Thursday took notice of a woman’s suspected gang-rape in the province’s Nankana Sahib district and directed the regional police officer to submit a report regarding the incident.

Mangtanwala police have registered a case against six accused, four of whom have not been identified.

A first information report, registered on the complaint of the victim’s sister on Sep 29, stated that the woman was travelling home on a passenger bus from Lahore to Jaranwala on September 24 at 7pm when the vehicle broke down near Mangtanwala police station limits.

While she was waiting for another bus, two men in a white car stopped and offered to drop her off at More Khunda, the complaint said, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com.

The men drugged the victim by giving her juice that was spiked and took her to a dera where four other men were waiting. The accused gang-raped the victim and then left her in a field, the complaint said. After regaining consciousness, the woman went to her sister’s house and told her what happened.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Nanakana Sahib District Police Office Ismail Kharak said that a case has been registered and three teams have been constituted to investigate the incident. He added that the victim’s medical report was awaited.

He added that police were also looking into the bus the victim had travelled in and why it had broken down.

In recent weeks, there has been massive public outrage over the handling of sexual assault cases after a woman was gang-raped on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in front of her children.

So far, police have only managed to arrest one of the accused while the prime suspect still remains at large.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1582641/punjab-cm-takes-notice-of-womans-gang-rape-in-nankana-sahib

 

[RajBan]

Kerala safe for women ? thats news to me, I am from Kerala too..

As I said , it's not just the security but the social status in terms of education, independent decision making etc. I am sure India as a whole is laggard but it is not homogenous across the states. Some regions are slightly better off than the rest even though they have long way to go.

 

[OMB]

'Women's safety', a growing concern in Pakistan

The safety of women has become a growing concern in Pakistan, which has in the recent past witnessed several instances of crimes against women, including rape and other crimes.

The News International in its editorial raised concerns over the rights of women, their dignity and sense of respect in the country. Every day, it said, at least 11 women are raped in the country, and the rape of small girls - and boys - some no older than a few years in age.

Just recently, ugly images involving the sexual assault of a couple were flashed across social media. "This is not a rare occurrence - though the fact that this case's video evidence went viral is what moved the police force to arrest the men responsible," reported the publication.

The daily's editorial pondered on the reasons that drove and empowered monsters like Usman Mirza - the man in the viral video - into thinking they'll get away with their vile acts?

"How is it that our collective outrage (mostly of men) is only reserved for women's clothing or behaviour, but does not find a voice when it comes to cases of violence against women, or the dismal maternal mortality rate, or women's lack of access to education or healthcare?

"What is it about Malala or Aurat March that riles us? Is it the archaic, patriarchal structures we have constructed that can't absorb women stepping out of their male-defined roles? Do we even realise the consequences of the regressive society we have built?", the publication said.

It pointed out that most men in Pakistan expressed their reservations against women's clothing or behaviour, but did not have a voice when it came to cases of violence against women, or the dismal maternal mortality rate, or women's lack of access to education or healthcare.

Scores of women were killed for "honour" by those that are supposed to protect them, the daily said.

Meanwhile, the annual report of State of Human Rights in Pakistan released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) for the year 2020 has set alarm bells ringing over the plight of women in the country.

The report has once again painted a concerning picture of the women's rights situation in the country. It highlights an array of issues impacting the marginalised communities in Pakistan; there has been a special emphasis on the plight of women, with gender discrimination prevalent across the country, reported Pakistan Today.

The gender disparity is witnessed even in subcategories of crimes, including, for instance, persecution of religious minorities, with issues such as forced conversions being witnessed.

Other human rights abuses to target women include child marriage and honour killings, which even though impact men as well, are largely centered on controlling and subjugating women according to experts.

"We must change our mindset on what the fate of young women should be in our society," said Kishwar Enam, a pediatrician and member of Kasur Hamara Hai, a child welfare initiative. "Instead of committing them to marriages, let's send them to school so they can grow up to be healthy, successful and independent individuals; this will help the generations they raise to prosper," she added.

The HRCP has highlighted other forms of violence against women, which include sexual assault and domestic violence prevalent across the country.

The HRCP report cites that last year Pakistan completed the review of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in line with its fifth periodic report.

The report handed over in February this year, at CEDAW's 75th session, put forth its wide-ranging recommendation that underlined the need for national machinery dedicated to gender equality and upholding women's rights.

https://in.news.yahoo.com/womens-safety-growing-concern-pakistan-171032473.html

 

[saeedhk]

This country is a horrible place for women. Just today, a woman was gangraped by five robbers in front of her son.

The level of violence and savagery that we witness against women in Pakistan is unmatched. A true horror being a woman in this country.

 

[saeedhk]

Shahbaz Gill misquotes Forbes article, says Pak safe for women instead of women travelers

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill recently appeared in Meher Bokhari’s show, in which he defended the Single National Curriculum, the government’s controversial initiative to have one syllabus across Pakistan. To defend his argument, Gill said that the internationally reputable magazine, Forbes listed 20 most dangerous places for women and Pakistan’s name is not on the list. He even went on to mention the names of all the 20 countries. Gill also criticised Pakistan’s media and accused Pakistan’s media of being “dishonest.”

However, the article that Gill shared was about women traveling to countries and not on the safety of women living in the country. The article analyses countries that are unsafe for single women travelers, adding that the list, “ranked 50 countries with the most international tourists.”

Pakistan does not make the list because it is not in the list of the countries with the most international tourists.

According to a report published in Reuters in 2018 Pakistan was listed as sixth in the world’s 10 most dangerous countries for women.

“Sixth most dangerous and fourth worst in terms of economic resources and discrimination as well as the risks women face from cultural, religious and traditional practices, including so-called honor killings. Pakistan ranked fifth on non-sexual violence, including domestic abuse.”

Four years later the situation is even more dire as the latest The Global Gender Gap Report 2021 by World Economic Forum lists Pakistan at 153 out of 156, above Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan in the The Gender Gap Index 2021. It ranks Pakistan has second worst in gender disparity in South Asia after Afghanistan.

The report also lists Pakistan at 152 out of 156 in the list of the countries based on Economic Participation and Opportunity, and at number 153 out of 156 on the basis of Health and Survival.

Source: https://thecurrent.pk/shahbaz-gill-...ak-safe-for-women-instead-of-women-travelers/

 

[saeedhk]

This is how our politicians lie to the public and tell them what they want to hear.

 

[MenInG]

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Thursday approved with a vote of five to four the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik for her elevation to the Supreme Court.

She will be the first female Supreme Court judge in the judicial history of Pakistan.

Justice Ayesha is number four on the Lahore High Court (LHC) judge seniority list. She became a judge in March 2012. In case of her elevation, she will work as a Supreme Court judge until June 2031.

She could also become the CJP after the retirement of Justice Yahya Afridi in January 2030.

A meeting of the commission was held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

The meeting continued for more than three hours wherein majority members urged to set criteria for the judges’ appointment.

Regarding nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) representative in JCP Akhtar Hussain confirmed that CJ Gulzar, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, retired judge Sarmad Jalal Osmani, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan and Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem endorsed her name for appointment as a Supreme Court judge.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Maqbool Baqar, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and PBC representative Akhtar Hussain opposed her nomination.

Four members insisted that criteria should be evolved for the appointment of superior court judges first, adding that the seniority principle should be followed for the appointment of SC judges. An insider revealed to The Express Tribune that none of the member raised any question on the competence of Justice Ayesha.

Earlier, the JCP considered her nomination in the month of September but consensus could not be evolved.

It is learnt that majority members including the AGP urged that criteria should be set for judges’ appointment by amending the JCP Rules, 2010.

Later, CJ Gulzar agreed that a committee consisted by JCP members would be constituted to lay down the criteria by amending the JCP rules.

Earlier, the lawyers’ bodies requested their colleagues to boycott the court proceedings in protest against the elevation of a junior judge to the Supreme Court.

Now, the name of Justice Ayesha will be forwarded to the Parliamentary Committee on Judges Appointment, which comprises eight members.

Under the Constitution, six of the eight members are required for not endorsing any nomination within 14 days.

Former Sindh High Court Bar Association president Salahuddin Ahmed said that it is wonderful to see a woman elevated to the Supreme Court.

"It is, however, deeply disappointing to see that the Judicial Commission still remains resistant in framing any objective evaluation criteria for appointing judges and refuses to introduce any rules to check their discretion. That does not bode well for the six appointments that will be made to the Supreme Court this year," he added.

Earlier, the JCP had recommended the elevation of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar to the SC. Similarly, the commission approved nomination of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh as ad-hoc judge of the apex court for one year. However, he refused to accept his elevation.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2337446/jcp-approves-elevation-of-justice-ayesha-to-sc

 

[finalfantasy7]

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Thursday approved with a vote of five to four the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik for her elevation to the Supreme Court.

She will be the first female Supreme Court judge in the judicial history of Pakistan.

Justice Ayesha is number four on the Lahore High Court (LHC) judge seniority list. She became a judge in March 2012. In case of her elevation, she will work as a Supreme Court judge until June 2031.

She could also become the CJP after the retirement of Justice Yahya Afridi in January 2030.

A meeting of the commission was held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

The meeting continued for more than three hours wherein majority members urged to set criteria for the judges’ appointment.

Regarding nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) representative in JCP Akhtar Hussain confirmed that CJ Gulzar, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, retired judge Sarmad Jalal Osmani, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan and Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem endorsed her name for appointment as a Supreme Court judge.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Maqbool Baqar, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and PBC representative Akhtar Hussain opposed her nomination.

Four members insisted that criteria should be evolved for the appointment of superior court judges first, adding that the seniority principle should be followed for the appointment of SC judges. An insider revealed to The Express Tribune that none of the member raised any question on the competence of Justice Ayesha.

Earlier, the JCP considered her nomination in the month of September but consensus could not be evolved.

It is learnt that majority members including the AGP urged that criteria should be set for judges’ appointment by amending the JCP Rules, 2010.

Later, CJ Gulzar agreed that a committee consisted by JCP members would be constituted to lay down the criteria by amending the JCP rules.

Earlier, the lawyers’ bodies requested their colleagues to boycott the court proceedings in protest against the elevation of a junior judge to the Supreme Court.

Now, the name of Justice Ayesha will be forwarded to the Parliamentary Committee on Judges Appointment, which comprises eight members.

Under the Constitution, six of the eight members are required for not endorsing any nomination within 14 days.

Former Sindh High Court Bar Association president Salahuddin Ahmed said that it is wonderful to see a woman elevated to the Supreme Court.

"It is, however, deeply disappointing to see that the Judicial Commission still remains resistant in framing any objective evaluation criteria for appointing judges and refuses to introduce any rules to check their discretion. That does not bode well for the six appointments that will be made to the Supreme Court this year," he added.

Earlier, the JCP had recommended the elevation of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar to the SC. Similarly, the commission approved nomination of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh as ad-hoc judge of the apex court for one year. However, he refused to accept his elevation.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2337446/jcp-approves-elevation-of-justice-ayesha-to-sc

whats her history ? good/ dodgy ?

 

[MenInG]

Justice Ayesha Malik took oath as the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday.

Her swearing-in ceremony was held at the apex court earlier today and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed administered the oath.

A large number of SC's judges, attorney generals and lawyers attended the ceremony.

Replying to a reporter’s query following the ceremony, CJP Gulzar said that he will not take credit for Justice Ayesha’s elevation as the apex court judge.

"She deserved to become a judge of the Supreme Court and that's why she became one," he added.

The top judge was also asked whether he considered Ayesha's appointment on the basis of a judge or a woman, to which he replied “woman”.

Read: Zaidi accuses Sindh govt of looting nation’s money

Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took to his official Twitter handle to congratulate Justice Ayesha on "a landmark elevation."

“A powerful picture symbolises the women empowerment in Pakistan,” said Fawad alongside the picture of today's oath-taking ceremony, adding that he hopes Justice Ayesha will be an asset to the country’s “judicial hierarchy”.

On January 21, the law ministry issued a notification according to which the appointment of the Lahore High Court (LHC) judge had been approved by President Arif Alvi.

The notification read: "In [the] exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 177 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the president is pleased to appoint Mrs Ayesha A Malik, a judge of the Lahore High Court, [...] as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan with effect from the date she takes [the] oath of her office."

On January 19, the parliamentary committee on Judges Appointment had unanimously approved the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik as a top court judge.

A member of the committee had told The Express Tribune that the decision was made in light of Justice Ayesha's gender.

However, the official had insisted that the seniority principle will be adhered to in the future.

Justice Ayesha, who ranks number four on the LHC judges’ seniority list, became a judge in March 2012.

She will now work as a Supreme Court judge until June 2031. She could also become the CJP after the retirement of Justice Yahya Afridi in January 2030.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2340143/justice-ayesha-malik-takes-oath-as-first-female-sc-judge

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I want to congratulate Justice Ayesha Malik on becoming the first woman judge of the Supreme Court. I wish her all the best.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1485550425810128896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bewal Express]

Great day. Mafia not happy, corrupt Judge Isa voted against her. Is that what you call Liberal [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION]

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local clerics stormed a family park, to shut it down or ban the entry of women because the space was “promoting obscenity”. Last week women were abused and pushed out of a park in the nearby Lakki Marwat district for the same reason. <a href="https://t.co/dBh54Nc7Ip">pic.twitter.com/dBh54Nc7Ip</a></p>— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) <a href="https://twitter.com/IftikharFirdous/status/1561411002775789569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abel Reames]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local clerics stormed a family park, to shut it down or ban the entry of women because the space was “promoting obscenity”. Last week women were abused and pushed out of a park in the nearby Lakki Marwat district for the same reason. <a href="https://t.co/dBh54Nc7Ip">pic.twitter.com/dBh54Nc7Ip</a></p>— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) <a href="https://twitter.com/IftikharFirdous/status/1561411002775789569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Patriarchy in action.

 

[saeedhk]

Past two days:

-Man burns wife, two others to death for demanding divorce

-Man kills wife for wanting to continue education

 

[SalimBhai]

Past two days:

-Man burns wife, two others to death for demanding divorce

-Man kills wife for wanting to continue education

Pakistan? If so not surprising

 

[saeedhk]

Pakistan? If so not surprising

Yes. Pakistan.

 

[ahsan17]

Past two days:

-Man burns wife, two others to death for demanding divorce

-Man kills wife for wanting to continue education

What would you say is the rate of domestic violence homicide in Pakistan per 100,000 people (or some other unit, e.g. 1m) and how does it compare to other countries?