KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has voiced deep apprehension over the alarming surge in violence against women and girl children across the country, regretting the response and attitude of the government, the judiciary, political parties, and law enforcement agencies in addressing such blatant violations of human rights.
PMA has been inundated with distressing reports detailing instances of violence inflicted upon girl children who were coerced into domestic labour in the residences of judges, officials, and affluent individuals, including bureaucrats.
A particularly harrowing incident was reported in Thatta district, where a young girl fell victim to a brutal honour killing. Shockingly, authorities failed to register an FIR (First Information Report) against the culprits. This young girl had endured rape and pregnancy at the hands of feudal lords before meeting her tragic end, orchestrated by her own uncle.
Another heart-wrenching case unfolded with the brutal rape and murder of a young girl by a so-called faith healer (Pir) in his Haveli in Khairpur. Regrettably, justice continues to elude the victim in this case as well.
PMA also spotlights the issue of gender-based violence amid the 2022 floods. Disturbingly, various forms of violence, encompassing physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse, witnessed a distressing surge within the tent cities.
Additionally, child marriages, teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and maternal mortalities saw a concerning rise. Women and young girls who had lost their families were left vulnerable, at the mercy of extended family members who assumed decision-making roles.
PMA firmly asserts that gender-based violence is fundamentally a health issue, and women and girl children should not be subjected to any form of physical, mental, emotional, sexual, or economic violence.
Citing statistics from Pakistan's demographic and health survey, it has been revealed that a staggering 39pc of women aged 15 to 49 face physical and emotional abuse from their spouses. Another study conducted by the United Nations Population Fund has disclosed that a staggering 80pc of married women in Pakistan have endured various forms of physical or sexual violence, not only from their husbands but also from ex-spouses, relatives, police, or military personnel.
Disturbingly, during natural disasters such as floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aurat Foundation reported a staggering 200pc surge in cases of domestic violence. More alarmingly, 54pc of Pakistani women who have suffered violence chose not to seek help or disclose the abuse, as they have internalised and normalised their suffering.
However, it is important to recognise that these statistics may not comprehensively portray the extent of the issue, as they do not fully encapsulate the profound pain and loss endured by survivors.
The PMA underscores that violence inflicts enduring and profoundly detrimental effects on the lives, health, and overall well-being of women. Among the most severe forms of violence against women and girl children is child marriage. Despite existing laws against child marriage, the prevalence of this harmful practice in Sindh stands alarmingly high at 23.8pc.
Pakistan is ranked as the sixth-highest country in the world for the number of girls married before reaching the age of 18, and it occupies the 145th position out of 146 countries in the global gender gap index.
In light of these deeply troubling realities, the PMA emphatically calls upon the government to shoulder its responsibility and take decisive action in addressing this dire situation. “We demand justice for all survivors and victims of gender-based violence, as well as a steadfast commitment to promoting gender equity across all aspects of society,” the PMA statement says.
