Protest over increasing violence against women

A protest was organized on Sunday, August 15, by the Women Action Forum (WAF) to condemn increasing incidents of torture and killings of women. Speakers during the protest demanded that the police establish a helpline, to be managed by policewomen, for victims of torture. There was also an urge to establish a safe house at the district level which could shelter women in distress. 

The protest was also a symbolic ‘condolence gathering’ to remember the murdered woman, Noor Mukaddam and Quratul Ain, who was murdered one month ago, but a final report is still awaited from the police. Amar Sindhu, Pakistani academic, author and activist, told Dawn (2021), that “women in Sindhu used to be known as mothers of braves, but today, they are better known as mothers of murdered daughters”. Women are not safe in their own houses anymore, instead, they are murdered there. Women are killed for honour, often by family members; usually, their husbands are suspect number 1 (Dawn, 2021). 

The situation of women’s rights in Pakistan must change immediately. Minority rights must matter and women deserve to feel as safe and protected in their society as the men living in it.

A women’s rights activist lights a candle next to a poster for Noor Mukadam, who was recently murdered by beheading. Photo source: Boston Herald. https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/07/30/brutal-killing-spotlights-violence-against-women-in-pakistan/

Dawn, (2021, August 16) WAF holds protest over increasing violence against women https://www.dawn.com/news/1640824/waf-holds-protest-over-increasing-violence-against-women