October 3, 2018 – Pakistan Gender News

October 3, 2018

Married too young

While laws dating back to the colonial era set the minimum age of marriage for boys at 18 and girls at 16, there is really very poor implementation of this legislation. It has also changed only in Sindh where the Child Marriages Protection Act of 2013 lays down 18 as the legal age of marriage for both genders. At a recent conference in Karachi during which a study was launched, experts spoke on the issue and highlighted why girls are especially susceptible to early marriages. The report has been completed by the Centre for Reproductive Rights, a global advocacy body. Educational barriers, the perception that women are the property of male family members, and misconceptions about their sexual and reproductive rights are the most important features in pushing girls towards early marriages. Tradition and the fact that dowry is often lower for girls who are very young, according to the study, appear to be another factor in the problem.

Experts point out that young girls suffer more reproductive and sexual health problems when they are married as teenagers compared to their more mature counterparts. They are also more likely to suffer domestic violence. During the conference, speakers called for an implementation of existing legislation to ensure that existing age restrictions are enforced. They also demanded that the minimum age for girls to be married be raised to 18 across the country. Other studies in the past have highlighted the terrible problems with reproductive health that are faced by girls who give birth when too young. This issue is an important one in a society where such traditions still prevail. While levels of enrolment for girls in primary education have risen steadily over the last decades, only a small percentage of those girls go on to pursue secondary or higher education. This too promotes early marriage as does the notion that a younger wife will be more pliable and fit more easily into a new domestic environment. The very grave impact on the physical and emotional health of women is frequently ignored. They of course also have very little choice in matters of marriage. Ways to work towards solving these problems would require far greater awareness about reproduction, its mechanisms and the rights of women to exercise choice over their own bodies. These choices are instead made for them by men, with early marriage being one of the most visible manifestations of this.

The News

October 3, 2018October 3, 2018

Child kidnapping, sexual abuse on the rise in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Over 3,100 boys and girls have become victim of heinous crimes including kidnapping and sexual abuse during the last five years only in 12 districts of the Punjab, official data of the police revealed.

Among the total 3,132 reported cases, 820 were related to kidnapping (493 boys and 327 girls), 843 related to rape (683 boys and 160 girls), 682 related to sodomy (681 boys and 1 girl) and 787 were related sexual abuse (627 boys and 160 girls) in a dozen districts during the last five years (2013-2017).

The News obtained the data from the Punjab police while using requests under the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2013.

Although the official statistics are very alarming having at least 52 cases each month, almost 02 cases per/day in these 12 districts but the number could have been much more higher as every such case isn’t reported due to various reasons.

The 12 districts which responded the RTI requests included Hafizabad, Pakpattan, Bhakkar, Okara, Rajanpur, Multan, Sahiwal, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Khushab, Rahim Yar Khan and Layyah. However, managers of the remaining 24 districts didn’t bother to respond to a process made compulsory under the law.

According to the data, Multan stood out among the 12 districts, having the worst numbers in terms of reported incidents of such heinous crimes with a figure of 1,394 (44.5 percent) in the last five years alone.

In Multan, 157 cases of kidnapping (95 boys and 62 girls), 679 cases of rape (all boys), 83 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 475 cases of sexual abuse (all boys) were reported from 2013 till 2017. It is important to note here that other than kidnapping, not a single case of girl victim was reported in Multan during the subject time.

After Multan, Sheikhupra stood at number two with 434 reported cases. Among those, 164 cases were about child kidnapping (117 boys and 47 girls), 51 cases of rape (all girls), 124 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 95 cases of sexual abuse (39 boys and 56 girls) were reported.

Okara district remained at number three in the list having 234 such reported cases. Among those, 118 were reported about child kidnapping (70 boys and 48 girls), 12 about rape (02 boys and 10 girls), 69 about sodomy (all boys) and 31 cases of sexual abuse (25 boys and 06 girls).

At number four was Pakpattan with 168 reported cases, having 71 cases of child kidnapping (37 boys and 34 girls), 12 cases of rape (all girls), 41 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 44 reported cases of sexual abuse (29 boys and 15 girls) in the last five years.

In the list, Nankana Sahib was at number five with 152 reported cases. Out of those, 33 cases were reported about child kidnapping (14 boys and 19 girls), 24 cases of rape (all girls), 61 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 34 cases of sexual abuse (03 boys and 31 girls) were reported during the subject time.

Similarly, Sahiwal remained at number six with 150 total reported cases. In the district 84 cases were reported about child kidnapping (55 boys and 29 girls), 18 cases of rape (all girls), 08 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 40 cases of sexual abuse (16 boys and 24 girls) were also reported. With 129 reported cases, Rahim Yar Khan stood at number seven in the list, having 38 cases of child kidnapping (18 boys and 20 girls), 19 cases of rape (all girls) and 72 cases of sodomy (all boys) reported in the district from 2013 till 2017.

At number eight was Rajanpur with 120 reported cases. Among those cases, 54 were about child kidnapping (33 boys and 21 girls), 47 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 19 cases were reported about sexual abuse (18 boys and 01 girl).

District Layya remained at number nine in the list with 90 reported cases. In the district, 36 cases were reported about child kidnapping (21 boys and 15 girls), 06 cases of rape (all girls), 34 cases of sodomy (33 boys and 01 girl) and 14 cases were reported about sexual abuse (06 boys and 08 girls).

With 85 reported cases, Hafizabad was at number ten. In Hafizababd, 18 cases were reported about child kidnapping (12 boys and 06 girls), 12 cases of rape (02 boys and 10 girls), 42 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 13 cases were reported about sexual abuse (02 boys and 11 girls) during the subject time period.

At number eleven was Khushab with 67 reported cases. Among those 23 cases were reported about child kidnapping (14 boys and 09 girls), 04 cases of rape (all 10 girls), 24 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 16 cases were about sexual abuse (10 boys and 06 girls).

At number twelve was Bhakhar with 48 reported cases. In Bhakhar, 22 cases were reported about child kidnapping (05 boys and 17 girls), 05 cases of rape (all girls), 15 cases of sodomy (all boys) and 06 cases were reported about sexual abuse (04 boys and 02 girls) during the last five years.

When contacted, DIG Legal Lahore Police Abdur Rab conceded to the fact that the heinous crimes were on the rise in the province.

People are being indulged in such crimes with the rising frustration level among the society because of multiple reasons, he said. The police officer stated that it was also an unfortunate fact that a large number of such cases aren’t reported due to certain pressures from society the parents had to face.

“Police lacks in training, funds and facilities because of which such complex cases are not properly investigated in time,” the DIG said. According to the officer, Zaineb murder cases of Kasur was investigated and solved within a few weeks only with the help of technology and all the facilities provided to Police by the authorities concerned.

To another question, the DIG further said Police need to be equipped on modern lines to deal with such cases as outdated methods wouldn’t be helpful to solve such cases complex in nature. He said police officials should also be imparted modern training for the purpose as well.

The News

October 3, 2018October 3, 2018

Malala’s portrait unveiled at London’s gallery

KARACHI: The world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate and education activist, Malala Yousafzai, has graced the walls of the National Portrait Gallery in London for the second time — her first portrait went on display at the gallery in 2013.

The new portrait — which was put up for public display on Tuesday — was captured by renowned Iranian-born artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat during their meeting in March.

This portrait is the first in a series of three commissions supported by the Outset Contemporary Art Fund over the last three years.

According to the gallery, the work is one of a pair of portraits of Ms Yousafzai by Ms Neshat acquired for the gallery’s collection. Ms Neshat took a series of photographs during the sitting in London in March.

“From this [series], the artist and the gallery selected two photographs, onto which Ms Neshat hand inscribed in calligraphy a poem, Malala II: (Malala Yousafzai). The poem by Pakhtun poet Rahmat Shah Sayel from Peshawar was written in 2011 when Malala had already become a well-known activist for education,” the gallery added.

The poem addresses the legendary Malala of Maiwand and praises Ms Yousafzai, drawing contrast between the two young women.

“The second portrait of Malala seated at a school desk with an open book will travel to Birmingham Museums, where it will be unveiled in 2020 as part of Coming Home — a new initiative, which will see 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection travel to places across the UK they are closely associated with,” the gallery added.

On Tuesday, Ms Yousafzai’s father tweeted: “Portrait of @Malala by Shirin Neshat unveiled at @NPGLondon. The poem inscribed on the portrait is written by the great Pashto poet Rahmat Shah Sayel. We are grateful to the artist for creating this wonderful piece of art depicting strength, resilience & courage.”

Senator Sherry Rehman also took to Twitter to congratulate the young activist, saying: “Lovely portrait of @Malala in the National Portrait Gallery. We should all be proud of this brave, brilliant and lovely young woman who has become the poster girl for resilience all over the world! May she shine on! Be proud Pakistan.”

According to a press release, the gallery’s director Dr Nicholas Cullinan said that they were delighted to have commissioned these powerful new portraits “which represent an historic coming together of an inspirational and fearless young woman, who has had a profound impact on the education and welfare of girls throughout the world, with a leading international artist known for her unique and pioneering work”.

Quoting Ms Yousafzai’s comment on the unveiling of the portrait in London, the statement added: “I am honoured to have my portrait included in the gallery alongside some of Britain’s most influential writers, artists and leaders. I hope it will remind visitors that girls everywhere are fighting for change in their communities and countries — their stories must also be heard.”

“I knew of Malala as an extraordinary young woman who had marvelled the world by her victory over death; her fierce fight for women’s education and for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, all before she turned 20 years old,” said Ms Neshat on the occasion.

“It was impossible not to feel intimidated … Yet as she arrived at the studio to be photographed, I was immediately taken aback by her timid, gentle and innocent demeanour. To this day, when I look back on our encounter, I am left with impressions of humility, wisdom and a rare sense of inner beauty,” she recalled.

Ms Yousafzai has joined notable Pakistanis to grace the gallery’s collection, including Prime Minister Imran Khan (his ex-wife Jemima Khan also has a portrait), former prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan, Gen Yahya Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, diplomat Agha Hilaly and actor Zia Mohyeddin.

Dawn

October 3, 2018October 3, 2018

Girl killed, mother wounded over marriage dispute

KARACHI: A family dispute over a marriage proposal led to an armed attack in Baldia Town on Tuesday that killed a young woman and left her mother badly wounded, police said.

They said the victim, identified as 20-year-old Benazir, and her mother, Marvi, were shot at by their close relatives Sultan and Sartaj inside the victims’ home in Yousuf Goth of Baldia Town. The attackers, they said, were pressing the victims to fix Benazir’s marriage with a man in their family which they were resisting.

“The issue between the two families had been under discussion for the past few days,” said Inspector Arz Mohammad, the SHO of the Saeedabad police station. “The two men [Sultan and Sartaj] came again today when the father of the girl, Dildar Hussain, was not at home. The arguments between the two sides turned violent when the two [Sultan and Sartaj] pulled out pistols and fired multiple shots and ran away, leaving both women critically wounded.”

He said the victims were moved to the civil hospital, where doctors pronounced Benazir dead and shifted her mother to the operation theatre for surgery.

“We have identified the attackers and also located their home in Laasi Goth. They have run away and their home is locked. We are very much hopeful to trace and arrest them soon. An FIR has been registered against the two suspects on a complaint of the deceased’s father,” added the SHO of the Saeedabad police station.

Dawn

October 3, 2018

Shehla Raza visits KU to discuss anti-harassment policies

KARACHI:Sindh Minister for Women Development Shehla Raza met the Karachi University’s (KU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan at his office on Tuesday to discuss issues regarding the varsity’s anti-harassment committee.

Khan informed Raza that anti-harassment committees have been formed in all departments of the university and complaint boxes have also been placed, in the VC’s and faculty offices, which are regularly monitored. Khan said that he himself monitors the complaint box in his office.

According to Khan, KU is the country’s largest public-sector university and has a majority of female students belonging to all socio-economic segments of society. Raza assured that the Women Development ministry will cooperate with KU on the harassment issue. Raza also visited the daycare centre at KU and said it was necessary to have daycare centres so that working women can perform their official tasks freely.

The Express Tribune