Women and girls all over the world face harassment and violence daily. This is not an issue exclusive to Pakistani society alone but some countries acted swiftly and made an action plan for violence against women whereas in Pakistan they are yet to figure out.
July the 20th marked the first anniversary of Noor Muqaddam’s brutal murder. Daughter of a former ambassador to South Korea, Shaukat Muqaddam, Noor was murdered by Zahir Jaffar in Islamabad, a horrific crime that made international headlines and shook people to the core. Zahir Jaffar was given the death penalty, but the sentence has yet to be carried out.
A public gathering took place at F9 Park in memory of the 27-year-old who lost her life in a heinous and barbaric act. Noor’s mother was also present and had requested other women to join her. This tragic case reignited the debate over violence against girls and women, and the issue surrounding their safety in Pakistan.
This is a debate that stirs up strong emotions, often offending some people. But if we go by statistics, there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Violence against women and children increased in 2021, but only a limited number of cases were reported in the media. Dawn news published the statistics that were highlighted in a report prepared by SSDO – Sustainable Social Development Organisation.
According to the statistics put together, out of the 52,370 cases that were reported in 2021 only 8,719 received media coverage; around 27,273 cases involved violence against women. The highest number of cases were registered in Punjab province. Shockingly, 18,390 kidnapping cases of women took place, but only 2,699 of those cases were picked up by the media.
The lack of media interest in such cases is disappointing. But when we take a look at the state of news channels and its content, then this comes as no real surprise. There is too much focus on the country’s political circus and less emphasis on sensitive topics such as gender-based violence and attacks against women and children.
Also, there are hardly any awareness campaigns on such issues. Media should be investing time and resources in creating campaigns that shed light on the issues that women face on a daily basis, and the harassment they have to go through to hold their own in a predominantly male driven society. There have been some awareness campaigns in the recent past such GEO News and its domestic violence advertisement. However, such as campaigns and ads remain a handful and it is still not enough.
Another recent case that mainstream media has ignored is that of an Australian – Pakistani woman Sajida Tasneem. Sajida was savagely murdered by her father-in-law after she took her children to see their grandparents in Pakistan on the insistence of her husband, Ayub Ahmed, who works in Bahrain.
According to reports, Sajida’s father-in-law did not want her to take the grandchildren back to Australia and kept their passports in his possession. He did not want his grand children to grow up abroad in a western society. While giving his account of what happened, Sajida’s father told police that he witnessed Sajida’s father-in-law hacking her to death with an axe.
With a bachelor’s in civil engineering to her name, shifted to Australia with her husband Ayub in 2013. They were living abroad with their three children. Sajida’s only crime was wanting a quality life and good education for her children in Australia and as her mother, she had every right to make that decision.
Violence against women perpetrated by in laws in not uncommon in South Asian societies. Women are often at the receiving end of physical, verbal and mental abuse at the hands of a spouse and their families, at times of the most trivial of matters. And it is a myth that only uneducated women face such horrific situations. Sajida Tasneem was a bright, educated woman who had a lot to offer. But even her life was cut short due to a cruel and barbaric act.
This tragic case has been discussed on social media platforms, with the hashtag #JusticeForSajidaTasneem also used on twitter. It was even picked up by the international media such as the guardian and the daily mail in the UK. But as expected, this was not highlighted by Pakistani media.
The role of the media is to educate its audience by highlighting important issues and creating awareness. The media should be making a positive contribution, rather than wasting time in becoming mouthpieces for their preferred political party. Sajida Tasneem was a daughter of the soil and deserves justice. It is a shame that the media has not played its part in helping her father seek justice for his daughter.
Unfortunately, those that hold the power to bring change have shown little interest in the protection of girls and women. We hardly ever see Parliament used as a forum to discuss women’s related issues. Instead, it becomes a wrestling arena where opposing parties throw accusations and hurl abuse at each other. Action is imperative for the safety of women in the home and public spaces, but all political parties are guilty of sleep walking through these issues.
Pakistan’s global image in this matter is not a favourable one. Although some countries fair better or worse than others, violence against women is actually a global issue. During the peak of the pandemic, UN Women started a campaign called the “shadow pandemic public awareness campaign,” which focussed on the global increase in domestic violence during the Covid-19 health crisis. Hollywood celebrity and UN Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman also used her celebrity status and influence to raise awareness on ending violence against women.
The UK also witnessed unprecedented debate over the harassment and violence of women last year after the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021 by serving officer in the Metropolitan police force. An action plan was then published to tackle violence against girls and women in London. Sarah’s murder prompted women to share their personal stories of abuse and harassment, as well as safety tips. It also led to protests and a “reclaim these streets” vigil, which was a vigil for Sarah, but also for all women who felt unsafe on a daily basis.
The police force also came under heavy criticism for failing to tackle violence against women and girls, and shortcomings within the police force were also highlighted. The government also came under fire for quick fixes and was urged to do more for women’s safety. Debate since then has died down but the issues still remain and much more can still be done.
No matter where a woman resides, she can be in any corner of the world and will still experience similar issues. Women and girls all over the world face fears of harassment and violence on a daily basis. This is not an issue exclusive to one society alone. Yes, some countries have a better track record in protecting its female citizens than others. But almost every woman and girl at some point in her life will have a personal story or experience to share.
