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Being a Girl, Virtue or Sin: Violence Against Women in Pakistan

By : Safin Tharani

God has created the whole world and human beings who are superior among all the creatures. He has shaped two main gender roles that are male and female. Although there is a physical difference between genders but God has blessed them with equal respect. We human beings have differentiated in the rights of both genders. The inequity among genders is common around the whole world. Especially in developing countries, girls are brought up in such a way that they never get empowerment, neither from their parents nor from their in-laws. Especially, domestic violence in term of sexual assault is very common. “In Pakistan, 320 cases of rape were reported during the initial 9 months of year 2004, 350 reported gang rapes in same period. Many more cases go unreported and 39 people were arrested. Police cases registered in only a third of reported rapes” (BBC NEWS, 2005). It is important to address such sensitive issues in Pakistan as it contributes to high mortality and morbidity of women each year. Newsline, October 2005 states, at least 1000 women in the country suffer rape each year. This is the reason for writing this paper, which highlights the causes and effects of sexual violence against women and how to make victims recover from the drastic mishap.

Rape has been defined as “non consensual penetration of vagina, mouth or anus by a penis.” (Welch & Mason, 2007). Mostly believed that perpetrators are strangers, but this is not true, 50% to 88% women know perpetrator and 15% to 30% experience date rape from flirt boys (Gerber & Mason, 2006).

There are certain important primary causes behind these increasing rates of violence again women. In Pakistan women are always disempowered by society with male dominancy. In rural, Muslim women strictly follow custom of purdah and by this way, female are demarked with the line of limitations. Additionally, women are less educated and home bounded; they have to follow the commands given by their husband and father. Although, Islam had protected women with certain norms but still rape, violence and harassment cases are reported.

Although, urban women are advanced but they also have to bear with difficulties if the step out of home. Women who use public transport for office going they face problems like teasing, harassment or rape. Young school going girls can be raped easily due to lack of security in workplaces. Not only rapes but gang rapes and re-victimization are very common in our culture. A girl has to sacrifice on each aspect of her life. It is expectation of the society that a female should tolerate all the problems silently. She can be used by male for any purpose including sex. Let me clear that women are not animal, neither virus, nor garbage that any male can use and seek pleasure from, without their will. They also have flesh, skin, bones, heart and feelings as men have in it. Women are human beings as well and want to be treated with the same respect as of men.

Rape of girl, affect on each aspect of her life that is physical, psychological and social. Moreover, due to cultures traditions these cases are not being reported. Underreporting of cases leads to re-victimization, psychological distress and ultimately death of victim occur in silence. Besides physical lacerations and bruises, there are many psychological effects associated which are usually not considered to be targeted during treatment that includes post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), fearfulness, less pleasure in life, dissatisfaction, sleep deprivation, low self esteem and self harming related to it. Victim’s major concern which makes the psychological condition more badly, is social stigma related to pregnancy and HIVAID. As cited in Lathrop, 1998 the incidence of pregnancy resulting from rape is 4% to 10% according to Single Random Coitus Model. Perhaps it also depends on attempts on re-victimization and physiological factors of a girl.These stigma lead to social isolation and phobias of attending parties and gathering. Overall the girl suffers and it not only effects on her body but also on her mind as well.

Victim can be prevented by this trauma by early reporting and addressing the case. According to Christofides, Munirhead, Jewkes, Kekana, & Conco (2006). Study was done in South Africa Capetown Hospital to determine the aspect of delivery of health services after rape. 155 rape victims were interviewed and the results were that the rape cases should be reported as soon as possible. Secondly, examination of victims is the most important part but it may contribute to the increase stress level of the patient. For this purpose only trained specialized staff should perform counseling. After the treatment has been completed the most important thing is follow-up which is mandatory for 100% recovery.

Limitation in my study is that Pakistani data is less available on sexual violence. Additionally, data which is available is not appropriate, due to lack of reporting and sensitivity of the theme. That is why I thought for initiating and breaking the ice by using western literature.

Perhaps, it is very essential in our culture to make researches on this topic despite of hiding it due to sensitivity. Otherwise as mentioned it would lead to further complications in our society which is more hazardous. Healthcare worker should arrange seminars for preventing sexual rights for women. These seminars should be arranged on community level so each woman can participate in it. Additionally, government should make the strict polices for perpetuator offense so no one have that much guts to violate policies and norms of society. Security and safety issues should also be targeted for interventions by concern authorities.

Over all, in the light of above mention studies, I would like to conclude that it is the right of every woman to be respected equally as of men. Without will, if women are exposed to coercion or harmed physically and sexually, just because of men’s lust, this should be considered as crime of rape. If incidence of sexual offense occurs, it should not be neglect and a victim should report the case. In Pakistan, cases of rape are not being reported and the most important factor due to which patient recovery becomes worse. Additionally, perpetuators get advantage of and victims are than re-victimized. Cultural lag leads to stigmatization of victim by society. However, society is unaware about the consequences which young women have to face as being a victim in life.