KARACHI – As many as 33 people, including 17 women and 16 men, were murdered in several parts of Sindh in the name of Karo Kari during the last two months, said a report issued by Aurat Foundation, an NGO, here Friday on the eve of International Women Day.
International Women Day is being observed today (Saturday) in the metropolis with renewed pledge from various NGOs to continue their struggle for the uplift and empowerment of Pakistani women. A number of organisations have organised different programmes in the city with a view to celebrate the event in a befitting manner.
Since 1977, 8th March has been regarded as United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. Under resolution 32/142, the UN General Assembly invited states to contribute in creating conditions for the elimination of discrimination against women and for their full and equal participation in social development.
Meanwhile, as many as 33 people, including 17 women and 16 men, were murdered in several parts of Sindh in the name of Karo Kari during last two months. According to the data, collected by Lala Hassan and Hina Tabassum of Aurat Foundation, an NGO, at least 46 women were murdered in different incidents of violence while 16 others were raped. At least 20 women faced domestic violence and about 25 others were injured in separate incidents of torture by close relatives and in-laws according to data collected by Citizens Action Committees (CACs) for Women Rights, the district level network of Aurat Foundation and media sources.
Report issued on International Women’s Day, says as far as 11 women committed suicide and 17 others attempted to finish their lives due to increasing unemployment, poverty, illness, domestic problems, under age and forced marriages.
About 17 incidents of custodial violence against women occurred while two including infant Benazir and Hawa lost their lives during raids by police in Karachi and Faiz Ganj (Khairpur district).
Aurat Foundation has also claimed that a young woman was allegedly gang raped by police as she managed to escape from police quarters. Police announced that she was suicide bomber.
Meanwhile, according to the database report issued by Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA), from January to December 2007 a total of 7,870 cases of violence against women were reported in the country.
Province topped the list where number of cases was 4,987, Sindh stood at 2,046, NWFP 563 and 274 incidents of violence against women took place in Balochistan. During the year 2007, about 1,321 women were kidnapped at gunpoint from various parts of the country, the report concluded.
Source: The Nation
Date:3/8/2008
