Asking for it

VIOLENCE against women is a grave violation. Its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls - including death and prevents women from fully participating in society. Globally, 35% of women experienced physical or sexual violence.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, women are disgraced at every level. There are women who are being beaten like animals for which thousands of cases are being filed in courts. In the recent times there are not one or two but a number of incidents in which young school going girls of ranging to 7-10 years are being targeted for sexual harassment and are being brutally raped. This is an alarming situation in the country which is known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. There has also, very recently, been an attack on a female television reporter of a private news channel - who was slapped by an FC soldier at a NADRA office.

To overcome this disastrous situation we have to promote gender equality in schools and widen access of education for girls. To stop this violence we have to stand against forced early marriages. The government should ban movies and television shows that present women in slave like roles. We all have to speak up against violence of women and we have to donate to those organisations who advocate for women. And in the end, for every person who thinks women are their slaves or animals, I say this: “No matter how a woman is dressed, it is not an invitation to any man to mistreat her”. MUHAMMAD HASSAN RAJPUT

Karachi