KARACHI: The Executive Committee meeting of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Karachi, convened at the PMA House Karachi, has expressed deep concern over the escalating cases of gender-based violence targeting women and children, both girls and boys. The PMA unequivocally condemns these heinous acts and implores the authorities to take stringent actions against the perpetrators.
During the meeting, the PMA voiced its dismay at the rising tide of violence against women and girl children within the country. The organization also voiced apprehensions regarding the government, judiciary, political parties, and law enforcement agencies' stance on these escalating human rights violations.
Disturbing reports have emerged of violence against girl children who were coerced into domestic labor in the households of judges, officers, and affluent individuals, including bureaucrats. One recent incident occurred in the Thatta district, where a young girl was brutally murdered in an honor killing. Shockingly, no First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the culprits. The girl had been subjected to rape and impregnation by feudal lords before her tragic demise, orchestrated by her own uncle.
Another distressing case that has come to light involved the brutal rape and murder of a young girl child by a peer in his Haveli in Khairpur. Tragically, justice continues to elude the victim in this case as well.
PMA also drew attention to the issue of gender-based violence during the 2022 floods. Alarming increases in various forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse, were observed in the tent cities. The floods also led to a surge in child marriages, teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and maternal mortalities. Women and young girls who had lost their families found themselves at the mercy of extended family members, who often became their decision-makers.
The PMA firmly asserts that gender-based violence is a public health concern, and women and girl children should not have to endure any form of physical, mental, emotional, sexual, or economic violence.
Citing statistics from Pakistan's demographic and health survey, which revealed that 39% of women aged 15 to 49 experience physical and emotional abuse from their spouses, the PMA highlighted the gravity of the issue. Another study by the United Nations Population Fund indicated that 80% of married women in Pakistan have faced some form of physical or sexual violence from their husbands, while the remaining 20% have experienced such violence from ex-husbands, relatives, police, or soldiers.
During natural disasters like floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aurat Foundation reported a 200% increase in domestic violence cases. Shockingly, 54% of Pakistani women who have experienced violence never sought help or disclosed the abuse, often internalizing and normalizing it. However, these statistics may not fully capture the extent of the problem, and the stories of survivors remain untold.
PMA believes that violence inflicts enduring and devastating effects on women's lives, health, and well-being. Child marriage, in particular, stands out as one of the most severe forms of violence against women and girl children. Despite laws against child marriage, its prevalence in Sindh remains alarmingly high at 23.8%. Pakistan ranks sixth globally in terms of the number of girls married before the age of 18 and 145th out of 146 countries in the global gender gap index.
In light of these alarming facts, the PMA demands that the government takes responsibility and accountability for this dire situation. Furthermore, the PMA calls for justice to be served to all survivors and victims, along with the promotion of gender equity in all spheres of society.
