- WAR report reveals alarming statistics, with 12 women experiencing sexual assault daily in Punjab between 2017 and 2021.
- The report attributes this crisis to factors such as societal stigma, fear, victim-blaming, systemic biases, and underreporting.
- Additionally, early child marriages, affecting nearly 18% of Pakistani women, contribute to the issue, highlighting the need for legal reforms and greater gender-awareness training.
A recent report released by the advocacy organisation War Against Rape (WAR) has shed light on a deeply troubling crisis in the province of Punjab.
Drawing from official data provided by the Punjab home department and the ministry of human rights, the report discloses a chilling statistic: between 2017 and 2021, a staggering 21,900 cases of sexual assault against women were documented in the region.
This disheartening figure translates to an average of 12 women experiencing sexual assault each day, or one woman falling victim to such crimes approximately every two hours.
WAR Report Highlights Factors Leading to This Statistic
This shocking numerical representation is only the visible surface of a profoundly distressing issue. The report contends that these reported cases represent merely a fraction of the true extent of the problem.
A complex web of factors, highlighted in the report include:
- Societal stigma
- Pervasive fear
- Victim-blaming
- Systemic biases ingrained within the justice system
- Victims discouraged to report the heinous crime
Forced Child Marriages in Pakistan a Violation of Human Rights
Another major factor leading to increased rape in the region is the issue of early child marriages which are also an infringement on Human Rights in the country. The report indicates almost 18% of Pakistan’s female population is forced into child marriage.
Approximately 19 million underage brides persist within the nation. The legally permissible age for marriage exhibits regional disparities, as exemplified by Sindh, which has established the minimum age for both males and females at 18, in contrast to other provinces where girls are permitted to marry as early as 16.
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Recommendations by WAR
WAR has put forth a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring the robust enforcement of laws designed to protect women and children, notably including the recent 2022 amendment to the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act and the Anti-Rape Act of 2021.
The report also highlights it is crucial to augment the recruitment and training of female personnel within the law enforcement, judicial, and prosecutorial sectors, equipping them with a deeper understanding of legislation concerning the welfare of women and children.
WAR has also advocated for governmental bodies, semi-governmental entities, and private organisations to establish inquiry committees dedicated to addressing sexual harassment concerns. These committees play a pivotal role in ensuring adherence to codes of conduct and work towards minimising and preventing instances of harassment.
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