1. Violence against Women in Pakistan
Emily Hornung
Elizabethtown College BSW Student
Kutztown University
3rd Annual International Conference :
Social Work in the Global Environment: Institutions Responding to Human Needs
11/14/2014

2. Overview Goal 3 MDG Violence against women (VAW) in Pakistan
Gender equality & empowering women
Violence against women (VAW) in Pakistan
The media reported 65,316 cases of VAW from 2008 to 2011
7,571 cases of VAW were reported in 2008 (The Aurat Foundation)
Increased by almost 13% to 8,548 cases in 2009
What will you learn:
Different forms of VAW in Pakistan
How these are a violation of human rights
Cultural-specific considerations to intervening

3. Types of VAW Anti-customary Practices: Sexual harassment and rape
Honor killings
Child marriage
Sexual harassment and rape
Attacks on schools/girls
Acid violence
Domestic violence

4. Honor Killings (Karo-Kari)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP, 2012):
: a total of 1,957 honor killings
In 2011, at least 943 women were killed in the name of honor
“karo” or a “kari”
The right to kill a family member in order to redeem the family’s honor
Nasrullah, 2009
In 92% of the cases, the major reason for the killing was an alleged extramarital relation
About half of the perpetrators were husbands
About a quarter were brothers

5. Child marriage/forced marriage:
vani (Punjab province), sang-chatti (Sindh), irjaai (Baolchistan), and swara (Kyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Given as compensation
Can be an attempt at ending tribal feuds or compensating a family for a crime committed against them
Outlawed by Islam and State law
Prohibited by other laws governing the age of marriage and consent requirements
Still perceived as religiously sanctioned because it aims to bring peace among feuding parties

6. Acid Violence
Form of torture where one throws corrosive acid at the victim’s face or body
The Aurat Foundation
Estimate that as many as 200 acid attacks occur every year
Purpose:
As a social weapon to punish women for dishonoring their family or failing to follow gender roles or limitations
Long-term Effects:
Infections such as septicemia and gangrene
Psychological and social trauma
Few burn treatment units exist to treat chemical/acid burns

7. Domestic Violence (DV)
In 2011, DV was a factor in nearly 4,500 reported violence cases: HRCP (2012) DV
Includes intimate partner violence (IPV) and honor killings
Physical, sexual, emotional, financial abuse
Perpetrators can be male or female
Husband, in-laws, other family members
Influences
Used as a disciplinary tool
Little difference among ethnic or religious groups in Pakistan
Generational differences

8. Origins and Influences
Silence
Awareness
Intersectionality of oppression/discrimination
History
Stereotypes/Gender Roles
Islam
Rural Pakistan

9. Cultural Considerations
Recognize patriarchy and male-dominated social institutions as an important structure to target
Economic skill-building initiatives/micro-credit:
Economic empowerment of women can increase violence in the home and in public as women step out of accepted social roles
The domestic sphere for women
Consider initiatives which support the family and protect and support women
Collectivism and community support
Religion
Urban vs. Rural characteristics & needs
Involving Islam positively in the process

10. Current Remedies: Government
Policy & Law
Prohibiting tribal justice systems (panchayats or jirgas)
Gender Crime Cell (GCC)
Increasing women’s representation in the government
33% of the seats reserved for women locally
17% in National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies
12% in the Senate
Ministry on Women’s Development (MoWD)
National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW)
Reviews laws, rules and regulations affecting the status of women

11. Media Increased media coverage
Mukhtar Mai
Malala Yousafzai:
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan shot her on October 9th, 2012
Broadcasting in Urdu, Pushto, Sindi, Punjabi, & English
Some international television programs hosted by women
Altering portrayals of women in some TV programs
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
Programs on gender equality, women’s empowerment, rights, and job opportunities
PTV (Pakistan Television Corporation): “situation comedies”

12. Remedies: NGOs/Social
Women are becoming more active
Increase school enrollment for girls
Increase adult literacy
Awareness of problems, laws, policies, and available services
Accessible & free birth registration
Economic skill-building (Hirani et al., 2010)
Dastak women’s shelter in Pakistan (1990) (Critelli, 2010)
White Ribbon Campaign Pakistan (WRCP)

13. Thank you!