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The normalisation of violence against women, coupled with societal stigma and inadequate legal protections, often leaves victims trapped in abusive situations. Many women face significant barriers in seeking help or escaping their circumstances, contributing to the ongoing cycle of violence. The lack of comprehensive support systems and enforcement of protective laws exacerbates this endemic problem, making it a critical public health concern that requires urgent attention and action. | The normalisation of violence against women, coupled with societal stigma and inadequate legal protections, often leaves victims trapped in abusive situations. Many women face significant barriers in seeking help or escaping their circumstances, contributing to the ongoing cycle of violence. The lack of comprehensive support systems and enforcement of protective laws exacerbates this endemic problem, making it a critical public health concern that requires urgent attention and action. | ||
== Rape in Pakistan == | |||
According to Shahla Haeri, a professor of Women's Studies, rape in Pakistan is often seen as "institutionalised" and can sometimes gain the tacit or even explicit approval of the state. Reports indicate that the rape and assault of individuals from Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and other minority communities are alarmingly common in the country. Victims frequently face issues such as police inaction, refusal to register complaints, and intimidation or corruption within the judicial system. | |||
Moreover, child sexual abuse is a significant concern in Pakistani schools. A study conducted in [[Rawalpindi]] and [[Islamabad]] involving 300 children revealed that 17% reported having experienced abuse. In 1997, statistics indicated that one child was reported daily as a victim of rape, gang rape, or kidnapping for sexual exploitation. The issue gained further attention with the 2014 documentary "Pakistan's Hidden Shame," directed by Mohammed Naqvi and produced by Jamie Doran, which focused on the sexual abuse of street children, revealing that an estimated 90% of these vulnerable children have been victims of sexual violence. | |||
== Dismissal and trivialisation == | |||
In Pakistan, some observers perceive the #MeToo movement as a Western import designed to undermine Pakistani culture, erode family values, and exploit women for a "foreign agenda." Others, including former Army Chief and President [[Pervez Musharraf]], have dismissed the victims as opportunists who leverage allegations of rape to obtain visas and citizenship in other countries. Movie director [[Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar]] exemplified the minimisation of the movement with his comments suggesting that the #MeToo initiative is merely about women wanting the right to assault men. He provocatively stated, "If you wish to strive for equality, then kidnap men as well. Rob a bus, gang rape a man, so that I can understand what you [women] mean by equality." | |||
Following the [[Aurat March]] on [[International Women's Day]] in 2019, which saw thousands of women participating across Pakistan, politician and television host [[Aamir Liaquat Hussain]] called for an investigation into the funding of the demonstrations, implying that external forces were financially supporting the events. Additionally, some men expressed disapproval of the protesters' slogans, such as one that read, "Keep your dick pics to yourself." ''[[Islamic feminism|Islamic feminists]]'' also raised concerns that the protestors were too secular and that their values were overly Western, failing to represent women who adhere to Islamic cultural norms. | |||
Journalist Rafia Zakaria has pointed out that the #MeToo movement in Pakistan is primarily an urban phenomenon and predominantly associated with specific social classes, as only 37% of the population has internet access. Many feminists from elite backgrounds often choose to remain silent or downplay the issues at hand, prioritising the protection of their peers within the same social strata. This tendency is evident in various instances; for example, a woman from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region who recorded threats from army personnel and alleged that they made sexual advances towards her was largely ignored, as there was little interest in confronting the influential military. | |||
In another notable case, when politician Ayesha Gulalai Wazir accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of sending inappropriate messages, she faced backlash from both her party and the media, with accusations labeling her as a political opportunist. Furthermore, Shireen Mazari, the Federal Minister for Human Rights, dismissed Gulalai's claims outright. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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