Definition:-
Violence can be seen “as a loss of control of
aggressive impulse leading to action”.
Shengold,
1999
Violence
against women is any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely
to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including
threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in the public or private life.
Types of violence:-
Violence against women
includes but is not limited to the following:
1.
Physical
violence
Hitting, slapping,
punching, kicking, burning, cutting, or otherwise harming the body
2.
Sexual violence
Rape (in or
out of marriage), assault, attempted rape, forced prostitution, incest, coercion, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment,
inappropriate/unwanted touching
3.
Economic
Violence
Overwork, denial of ownership of property, withholding or taking
earnings, denial of inheritance, withholding education, unequal pay, not being
allowed to work, deprivation of access to basic needs such as food and shelter.
4.
Emotional
violence
Verbal abuse,
threats, insults, control, constant criticism, intimidation, humiliation.
Cause of Violence
against Women
Ø The cause of violence
against women is women’s low status in the home and community.
Ø Using power and control
over women is violence.
Ø Women are considered less
valuable than and subordinate to men. Men are seen as having power and
legitimacy to control women.
Violence throughout
Women’s Life Cycle
Women are vulnerable to different types of violence within their life
cycle:
Ø Infancy:
When they are born, girl
babies in some parts of Pakistan are vulnerable to general neglect such as less
healthcare and nutrition than male children of the same age
Ø Childhood:
Young girls are
faced with sexual abuse, malnutrition, FGM, overwork
Ø Adolescence:
Forced
prostitution, coercion, transactional sex, trafficking, forced early marriage,
rape and other forms of sexual abuse
Ø Reproductive age:
Intimate partner violence,
sexual assault by non-partner or intimate partner, sexual harassment, sex trafficking
Ø Elderly:
Elder/widow abuse, loss of land and
inheritance, rape
Consequences of
Violence against Women for women
Physical
Consequences
Ø Physical injuries - fractures, concussions, cuts, broken bones,
gunshot wounds
Ø Poor health-
Chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders
Ø Permanent disability
Death due to homicide or suicide
Ø Sexual consequences
Unwanted
pregnancies
Sexually transmitted
infections including HIV
Miscarriages, low birth weight babies
Ø Emotional Consequences
Depression
Stress
Panic disorders
Low self esteem
Drug and/or alcohol abuse
Ø Economic Consequences
Loss of economic productivity
Fewer hours worked due to injury and illness
Costs
of treatment reduces family and community incomes
Consequences
of Violence against women for Men
Ø Unhappy relationship with
partner
Ø Emotional distance and
mistrust from the children
Ø Health problems such as
sexually transmitted
Ø Infections including
HIV/AIDS
Ø Emotional problems, such
as depression, hopelessness, lack of satisfaction
Ø Strain on the finances of
the family due to
Ø Expenditure on treatment,
loss of productive hours
Ø Imprisonment
Ø Community resources used
solving violence cases with authorities i.e. police, family or clan leaders
Consequences of Violence
against Women for children
Children live in fear all the time
Low self esteem
Problems in school e.g. poor performance
Violent behavior
Sensitive
Withdrawal
from activities
Sleeping problems
Consequences of
Violence against Women for communities
Loss of productive labor force due to poor health, disability, death
Increased crime
Lack of harmony within the community
Women excluded from
leadership and political processes
Alcohol and drug abuse
Stress on health and
social services
Underdevelopment of community
Cases of violence
Domestic:-
Honor killing:-
It
is a cheap tradition in some of the rural areas. It refers women’s honor that
when there is a doubt at any women that she has some other kind of relation
with some other guy than his husband so she is supposed to be punished by
throwing stones.
Rape cases:-
The Result is…..
DRASTIC
Dowry act of 1976
[ACT XLIII OF 1976] An Act to
provide for restrictions on dowry and bridal gifts.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for restriction on dowry and bridal gifts and for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto;
It is hereby enacted as follows: -
1. Short title, extent and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976.
(2) It extends to the whole ofPakistan
and applies to all citizens of Pakistan
(3) It shall come into force at once.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for restriction on dowry and bridal gifts and for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto;
It is hereby enacted as follows: -
1. Short title, extent and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976.
(2) It extends to the whole of
(3) It shall come into force at once.
2.
Restriction on dowry, presents and bridal gifts. - (1)
Neither the aggregate value of the dowry and presents given to the bride by her
parents nor the aggregate value of the bridal gifts or of the presents given to
the bridegroom shall exceed five thousand rupees.
Explanation. The ceiling of five thousand rupees specified in this sub-section does not in any way imply that the dowry, bridal gifts and presents of a lesser amount may not be given.
(2) No dowry, bridal gifts or presents may be given before or after six months of nikah and if rukhsati takes place some time after nikah, after six months of such rukhsati.
3. Restriction on presents.- No person shall give to either party to the marriage any present the value of which exceeds one hundred rupees:
Provided that the limit of one hundred rupees shall not apply to the presents given to the bridegroom by the parents of the bride under sub-section (1) of section 3:
Provided further that the President, the Prime Minister, Federal Minister, Chief Minister of State, Adviser, Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Parliamentary Secretary, Member of the Senate, National Assembly or Provincial Assembly, Government servant or an official serving in any corporation, industry or establishment owned, controlled or managed by Government shall not receive any present in connection with his marriage or the marriage of his son or daughter except from his relations (khandan):
Provided further that this restriction shall not apply to a Government servant or official serving in the scale below National Pay Scale 17 not exercising in any manner judicial, revenue or executive authority.
4. Vesting of dowry, etc., in the bride. - All property given as dowry or bridal gifts and all property given to the bride as a present shall vest absolutely in the bride and her interest in property however derived shall hereafter not be restrictive, conditional or limited.
5. Expenditure on marriage. - The total expenditure on a marriage, excluding the value of dowry, bridal gifts and presents, but including the expenses on mehndi, baarat and valima, incurred by or on behalf of either party to the marriage shall not exceed two thousand and five hundred rupees.
6. Display of dowry, etc.- The parents of each party to a marriage shall, at the time of rukhsati, display all items of dowry, bridal gifts and presents given or received in connection with the marriage so as to be visible to the persons attending the rukhsati.
Explanation. The ceiling of five thousand rupees specified in this sub-section does not in any way imply that the dowry, bridal gifts and presents of a lesser amount may not be given.
(2) No dowry, bridal gifts or presents may be given before or after six months of nikah and if rukhsati takes place some time after nikah, after six months of such rukhsati.
3. Restriction on presents.- No person shall give to either party to the marriage any present the value of which exceeds one hundred rupees:
Provided that the limit of one hundred rupees shall not apply to the presents given to the bridegroom by the parents of the bride under sub-section (1) of section 3:
Provided further that the President, the Prime Minister, Federal Minister, Chief Minister of State, Adviser, Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Parliamentary Secretary, Member of the Senate, National Assembly or Provincial Assembly, Government servant or an official serving in any corporation, industry or establishment owned, controlled or managed by Government shall not receive any present in connection with his marriage or the marriage of his son or daughter except from his relations (khandan):
Provided further that this restriction shall not apply to a Government servant or official serving in the scale below National Pay Scale 17 not exercising in any manner judicial, revenue or executive authority.
4. Vesting of dowry, etc., in the bride. - All property given as dowry or bridal gifts and all property given to the bride as a present shall vest absolutely in the bride and her interest in property however derived shall hereafter not be restrictive, conditional or limited.
5. Expenditure on marriage. - The total expenditure on a marriage, excluding the value of dowry, bridal gifts and presents, but including the expenses on mehndi, baarat and valima, incurred by or on behalf of either party to the marriage shall not exceed two thousand and five hundred rupees.
6. Display of dowry, etc.- The parents of each party to a marriage shall, at the time of rukhsati, display all items of dowry, bridal gifts and presents given or received in connection with the marriage so as to be visible to the persons attending the rukhsati.
7. Penalty and procedure.- (1) Whoever, contravenes, or
fails to comply with, any provision of this Act or the rules made thereunder,
shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which
may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees,
or with both, and the dowry, bridal gifts or presents given or accepted in
contravention of the provisions of this Act shall be forfeited to the Federal
Government to be utilized for the marriage of poor girls in such a way as may
be prescribed by rules made under this Act:
Provided that if both the parents of a party to the marriage contravene, or fail to comply with, any provision of this Act or the rules made thereunder, action under this section shall be taken only against the father:
Provided further that if the parent who contravenes, or fails to comply with, any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, is a female, shall be punishable with fine only.
(2) An offence punishable under this Act shall be triable only by a Family Court established under the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964 (W.P. Act No. XXXV of 1964).
(3) No Family Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint in writing made by, or under the authority of, the Deputy Commissioner within nine months from the date of nikah, and if rukhsati takes place some time after nikah, from the date of such rukhsati.
(4) While trying an offence punishable under this Act, a Family Court shall follow the procedure prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), for the trial off offences by Magistrates.
8. Power to make rules.- The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
9. Repeal.- The West Pakistan Dowry (Prohibition on Display) Act, 1967 (West Pakistan
Act No. XVI of 1967) and the North-West Frontier Province
Dowry Act, 1972 (N.W.F.P. Act No. IX of 1972), are hereby repealed.
Provided that if both the parents of a party to the marriage contravene, or fail to comply with, any provision of this Act or the rules made thereunder, action under this section shall be taken only against the father:
Provided further that if the parent who contravenes, or fails to comply with, any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, is a female, shall be punishable with fine only.
(2) An offence punishable under this Act shall be triable only by a Family Court established under the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964 (W.P. Act No. XXXV of 1964).
(3) No Family Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint in writing made by, or under the authority of, the Deputy Commissioner within nine months from the date of nikah, and if rukhsati takes place some time after nikah, from the date of such rukhsati.
(4) While trying an offence punishable under this Act, a Family Court shall follow the procedure prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), for the trial off offences by Magistrates.
8. Power to make rules.- The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
9. Repeal.- The West Pakistan Dowry (Prohibition on Display) Act, 1967 (
Some statistics of women
exploitation in labor work force
Distribution
of women Labourers to family income
|
|||||
*
|
Below 1000 Rs
|
1001-2000
|
2001-3000
|
3001-4000
|
Total
|
Developed
|
31
|
96
|
18
|
7
|
152
|
Underdeveloped
|
7
|
42
|
11
|
5
|
65
|
*survey taken from
statistical information from Rural
Landless Women labourers- problems and prospects----by A. Balakrishnan
Survey taken from 152* urban and 65* rural women
Types of work
with in the village
|
||||
Agriculture
|
Construction
|
Brick/chamber works
|
Mills
|
Total
|
134
|
17
|
1
|
0
|
152
|
*survey taken from
statistical information from Rural
Landless Women labourers- problems and prospects----by A. Balakrishnan
Exploitation of women labourers in getting wages
|
||
Yes
|
No
|
|
Developed
cities
|
44
|
108
|
Underdeveloped
cities
|
15
|
50
|
*survey taken from
statistical information from Rural
Landless Women labourers- problems and prospects----by A. Balakrishnan
Awareness about minimum wage act
|
|||
Yes
|
No
|
Total
|
|
Developed
cities
|
1
|
151
|
152
|
Underdeveloped
cities
|
1
|
64
|
65
|
*survey taken from
statistical information from Rural
Landless Women labourers- problems and prospects----by A. Balakrishnan
Conclusion:-
“A solution will be always better
than the conclusion”
What can you do to prevent violence
against women?
As a woman, what can you do?
Talk to family members about the benefits of a
healthy family
Support
other women experiencing violence
Treat your boy and girl children
equally
Seek support when you are experiencing
violence
As a man, what can you do?
Commit to non-violence in your own relationships
Plan
and enjoy fun things to do together with your family
Share family responsibilities with your partner
Respect
your partner as you wish to be respected
Treat your boy and girl children equally
As a young person, what can you do?
Commit
to non-violence in all your relationships
Offer support to friends experiencing violence
Respect
each other boys and girls - as equals
Learn how to solve problems by talking not fighting
As a community member, what can you
do?
Believe women when they tell you they are experiencing violence
Speak out when you know violence is
happening
Preach in churches and mosques about how happy
families are non-violent families
As
police, health workers or other professionals, be supportive and
encouraging to women who report violence
Bibliography
Books:-
Ø Survey taken from statistical information from Rural Landless Women laborers- problems and
prospects----by A. Balakrishnan
Ø Definition taken from The Psychology of female violence by Anna Motz
Ø Untold stories by Ayesha
Ahmad
Ø Violence against
women-print media 2006-2008
News papers:-
Ø Daily times 17th may, 2008 By Ali
Usman
Ø Dec 12, 2002 Dawn
Ø The dawn September, 03, 2007
Ø Daily dawn dated 02-06-06
Ø The nation 2004-2-7
Ø The dawn 6th July, 2007
Ø The nation 18/4/2007
Ø The nation 9th July 2007
Web references
Ø www.refrence.com/articles
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