Silent epidemic : Unreported and Unaddressed issues
Domestic violence in Pakistan is a persistent and largely unreported issue, making it a silent epidemic. The challenge lies in overcoming the barriers that prevent women from speaking out, including stigma, fear, and lack of awareness. Societal and familial pressures often force women to endure violence in silence, with parents sometimes neglecting their married daughters and viewing their return home as a burden.
Honor killing : A Brutal Reality in Pakistan
Honor killing in Pakistan’s backward area have become a huge issue . Sometimes , parents even murder their children because they elope and get married . Honor killing is a grave crime . Every individual has right to live and women have right to marry acording to their choice . Men , to satisfy their false sense of ego and superiority , humiliate and disgrace women and trample their rights .
Real- life examples and Harsh Reality :
Recently an honor killing incident occurred in Balochistan , where a man and a woman were accused of relationship in tribal council and subsequently killed . the woman was brutally shot seven times and man was shot nine times . A video of incident went viral on social media . Nearly 1000 women are killed in the name of honor every year in Pakistan . Sana Yousaf a popular social media influencer was shot dead by a relative in Islamabad , highlighting how honor based violence also targets public figures .
Exposing the Legal Loopholes :
In Pakistan women often cannot access justice in courtrooms because they fear character assissination and false accusations against them .They dread sociedal disgrace and lack sufficient financial resources to raise their voices and act independently for their rights . Men often feels that giving a woman a divorce with her consent is a blow to their ego. They consider it a threat to their honor and power .Due to this mindset , they often refuse to grant divorces even if they are unhappy in the marriage . This mentality violates women’s rights and negatively impact their lives .
Judicial system :Navigating the Labyrinth of Justice
Generally , men do not give divorce to women to avoid paying the compensation that comes with divorce , which forces wome to go to courtroom . Pakistan’s judicial system is so inadequate that a woman has to struggle for years to get her rights and even it’s not certain wether she’ll succeed or not .Due to this fear women often give up their rights because they don’t have necaessay resources and money to pursue a case in court .
Mismatch weddings:A Controversial and Complex issue
In Pakistan’s backward area , poor people often marry their daughters to disabled , addicted, gambler or otherwise flawed men , without considering the dangers it poses to their future . This is a heinous act that pushes women into self destruction ,feeling of insecurity , depression and other problems .
Combating Harassment in Pakistan :
When women step out to work due to domestic problems and circumstances they face harassment from men everywhere .Women don’t step out due to fear of facing lewd gazes . This is a huge obstacle in way of woman’s progress . This effects society’s devolopment .
Lack of Education :
A huge obstacle in women’s progress is lack of education . People educate their sons but hesitate to educate their duaghters .Many cases have been seen where girls are not allowed to complete even basic education and married off .This is great injustice . When husband don’t fulfill their responsibilities and women face hardships . They aren’t able to earn a living due to lack of education . This forces thme into begging . They’re forced to live for their families , but family members don’t fulfill their needs .
Parents often think that if they educate their daughter she will become disobedient and won’t follow their orders . This mindset is common in traditional societies where girl’s education is discouraged .
Inheritance Injustice :Unraveling the Complexities
According to the principles laid down in Islam , a daughter is entitled half share of son. However, nowadays parent and sibilings often hesitate to give their daughters and sisters their rightful share of inheritance because they think their property will go to another household . Women are thus deprived of their rightful share and they cannot raise their voices for their right due to fear of being ridiculed and mocked by people .They generally do not speak out due to fear of displeasing their parents and brothers . If a woman raises her voice for rights , peope insult her by labeling her a greedy , which discourage other women and makes them feel that even thinking about it is a sin .
Divorce and Dower (Meher) :
Another big deception played on women is that at time of marriage they are promised a lot of property and land in their Haq Meher and as gift but later it is not transferred to their name and they are deprived of these .In case of a divorce , man has to give something to woman , man does not give divorce due to fear of having to give that property to the woman , and he humiliates the women so that she takes khula ( divorce initiated by women ) herself .
Forced Marriage :Legal,social and cultural challenges
The trend of forced marriage is increasing day by day in Pakistan . People don’t consider it necessary to know the consent of girls when getting them married . They impose their decisions on them and if a daughter expresses her choice or preference , parents get furious and consider it a matter of their ego . In this way , parents themselves play the biggest role in violating their children’s rights .
Consequences of forced marrige :
Consequences of such actions are either the child rebels and goes against their parent’s wishes , or child respects their parent’s wishes and sacrifices their entire life leading to lifelong regret .
Solution :
The solution to these problems is to give women courage to speak up for their rights, and not put social pressure on them .Secondly, ensure that there is no gap in their education enabling them to stand on their own feet and support themselves in the hour of need .Thirdly , mothers should raise their sons to respect women’s dignity , preventing crimes like honor killing and harassment . The government needs to take strict actions againt these issues so women can confidently approach courts and claims their rights .