Rape continues to be used as tool to suppress women in Pakistan: AHRC

Islamabad, Mar 8 (ANI): Rape continues to be used as tool to suppress women in Pakistan, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has said, expressing its deep concern on occasion of the International Women's Day.

"Rape and especially gang rape is one of the worst forms of violence against women in Pakistani society, which claims itself to be an Islamic state and constantly repeats that it is promoting gender equality according to the teachings of Islam. In general, the state and the society are not seriously committed to getting rid of the menace of rape from Pakistani society," the Daily Times quoted a statement issued by the AHRC, as saying.

"Instead, the government praises its policies to eradicate rape, though it has largely failed to diminish sexual violence from the society, to hold the perpetrators accountable and to alleviate the pain that a victim of rape bears for the rest of her life. The issue of rape and gang rape has not been properly addressed to identify the root causes of this evil. The government and judiciary have both failed to stop the increasing incidents of rape and gang rape because of their gender-biased approach and adherence to old traditions," the statement added.

Criticising the role of the government and society, the statement said, "The failure to protect women from sexual violence remains a matter of serious concern. It is emblematic of how a discriminatory patriarchal mindset permeating all spheres of the society, including the justice and policing system, continues to prevent women from enjoying their fundamental rights, freedom and dignity and hampers their active participation, equality and development, to the detriment of the general welfare of the Pakistani society." (ANI)

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