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Social Issues

12 Women Raped Daily in Punjab: WAR Report

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A
  • 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.

Also Read:
United Nation Report Claims ‘World Is Failing Women’

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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Social Issues

Portrayal of Child Marriage in Pakistani Drama ‘Mayi Ri’ Raises Questions

by Alefyah Hasnain
written by Alefyah Hasnain
  • Pakistani drama “Mayi Ri” creates buzz with a plot centred on child marriages, despite intended condemnation.
  • Audiences express unconventional liking for lead couple Annie and Fakhir, romanticizing their relationship, despite the legal and social issues surrounding child marriages.
  • Show-makers criticised for deviating from intended message against child marriages, as storyline glorifies young couple’s marriage, household duties, and studies.

Pakistani drama Mayi Ri has been the talk of the town ever since the teasers were released. Audiences were left shocked at the shocking plot reveal on ‘Child Marriages’ and the drama piqued interest resulting in high ratings.

Airing on ARY Digital, the drama airs daily at 7pm with Aina Asif and Samar Jaffri, both child actors in the leading roles. What seemed to be a condemnation on the harsh reality of child marriage in Pakistan, seems to be going the other way around now that the story has unfolded further.

Mayi Ri drama Cast, Timings, Plot, And More

In many parts of Pakistan, deep-rooted traditions, coupled with poverty and limited access to education, drive families to marry off their young daughters. Girls are often seen as a burden on their families due to economic constraints, and marrying them off at a young age is sometimes considered a way to alleviate financial pressures. In Mayi Ri the two cousins were simply married off to fulfil the wish of the dying father and the head of the family, played by Noman Ejaz.

Discrepancy Between Law and Portrayal in Mayi Ri

Annie and Fakhir, two cousins were forcefully married off to each other both of them being underage – which itself is a red flag since this is illegal by law. In the episode before the actual wedding took place the police were shown arriving to the scene after Annie and Fakhir tried their best to stop their wedding from happening. However, the police could also do nothing to stop the wedding.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aina Asif (@ainaasifofficial)

The legal age for marriage in Pakistan is 18 for males and 16 for females, as per the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. However, implementation and enforcement of this law have been inconsistent, and the cultural and social norms often hold more sway in many communities. According to this Pakistani law, Annie and Fakhir’s marriage could have been stopped by the police, but the contrary was shown.

Also Read:
Mayi Ri Teaser Confronts the Harsh Reality of Child Marriage in Pakistan

Mixed Audience Reactions and Ethical Concerns

In the coming episodes instead of a disaster unfolding, the show-makers have instead created and pushed this unconventional likeness of the lead couple. Taking a look at some of the comments under Mayi Ri posts on various social media platforms, one can see the audiences are appreciating this child marriage being shown to the masses via television. While some are calling it the right thing to do, others are finding the couple totally adorable ‘shipping’ them and can’t wait to see their romantic scenes together as the story progresses.

 

Let’s not forget the actress Aina Asif is a 14 year old who in the drama is studying in school and wishes to focus only on her studies. However, she is being made to wear gold bangles and jewellery similar to a typical newly-wed. The show-makers did not even leave it to the ‘Nikkah’ taking place but a Rukhsati was done too. Watching two teenagers sharing the same bedroom is definitely not something that needs to be glorified in a country like Pakistan where child marriages are seemed like a right of way.

It seems like the condemning message on child marriages has been lost along the way. Show-makers need to rectify the situation instead of showing how well the two teenagers are managing all their responsibilities including their marriage, household duties and studies.

In recent posts by Samar Jafri and Annie Asif, the two have put up fun behind-the-scene pictures from their ‘on-screen’ wedding in Mayi Ri. Take a look at what netizens are have to say about the show:

 

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A post shared by Aina Asif (@ainaasifofficial)

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