Violence against women: enough is enough

Domestic violence is a dirty little secret nobody talked about. The global hidden crisis, which knows no boundary of geography is the violence against girls and women.  You will be amazed to know that 35% (one in three) women experience some form of violence in her lifetime, which is round about one billion women in the world. This marginalized group faced violence most likely from their husbands and partners. Violence against women took place in different forms, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and so-called honor crimes. Women experience such violence due to gender inequality which is rooted in the culture.  The UN Declaration on Elimination of Violence against Women states, “Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women".

Violence against women is a serious crime in Pakistan at the same time it is also a socially accepted norm in society. According to the Dawn report, Pakistan has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world. The Pakistani laws protect women from violence and the state has absolved itself of responsibility to enforce these laws. Women have an inherently paradoxical relationship with the state as in one hand state there are laws for women and guarantee their rights, on the other hand, it takes away these rights by refusing the implementation of these laws.

 We, women, represent half of the population of the world and we are facing the violence. Under such circumstances where there is no equality, an abusive spouse somehow convinces you that you need him even as he abuses you. The sad part about the story is even the victim's own family is unable to help their daughter due to the so-called honor ‘Gherat’. In most of the cases Pashtun father said “ My daughter ! until you are alive you have to live with your husband and when you die you are mine” it shattered my heart into pieces. The daughter you give birth and invested is no more yours. People need to understand that alive divorced daughter is better than a dead body you received.

“I am Fazaila an eye witness of women violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Women in our region face an uphill battle, from violence to inequality The biggest challenge is to convince a woman that it is not her fault, I believe there is no excuse for a man hitting a woman.”

We should raise a voice for women and take immediate measures to stop violence against women. We should not blame a victim for raising her voice, instead, we should donate to organizations that empower women. There should be clear education about this evil deed so the coming generations may learn to respect women and consider her as an equal human being.