KARACHI - Aurat Foundation Karachi has launched its report of second quarter on the Situation of Violence against Women (VAW) in Sindh at Karachi Press Club in a Press conference. Bringing the report on the forte, Sharmila Farooqi, the adviser to CM, said, Its a deplorable condition that has come across the City in recent times, moreover the case of the three-year Sana is a gruesome tale to witness in these times. She said that the police were blamed for poor record in their credentials; they turn into culprits for their good. She pointed that the burn victim cases had reduced to a great extent, all because of media updates and highlights of the reports. Sharmila further said, It is still considered a taboo to report rape cases and it is a stigma attached to woman who has to bear it all. She said that the crime rate was on rise in both rural and urban areas, but the people generally avoid going to police stations. The tolerance level of our males is very low. Discrimination starts with females before their birth, as many people dont want a girl child. This attitude needs to be changed, otherwise no tangible change will occur in such heinous crimes rate, she added. No reduction in the cases of honour killing would occur unless people stop giving priority to male children, she said. She admitted that the prime duty lies on government to address these problems but the entire society would also have to play role to sensitise the people in this regard. Sharmila supported the idea that the policemen should be dismissed rather being suspended in case of any slackness. She added that people have lost confidence on police and they prefer to rely on media. Regarding the report, she said it was a collection and compilation of statistics on the incidents of violence against women during April to June 2009 with comparison of first quarter under Aurat Foundations national programme of 'Policy and Data Monitor on Violence against Women for the elimination of violence against women in Pakistan. According to data collected, a total number of 416 incidents of violence against women occurred in which 512 (including 38 men murdered on pretext of Karo-Kari) women fell victims/survivors in all 23 districts of Sindh during April-June, 2009. There were total 415 incidents of which there were 76 incidents of murders; 79 honour killing incidents (38 men murdered); 34 abduction/kidnapping cases; 28 cases of rape/gang rape; 9 of sexual assault; 57 incidents of suicide; 35 cases of domestic violence; four incidents of burning and one of acid throwing; while 93 incidents of custodial violence; murder attempts; customary practices; attempt to suicide; threat to violence; trafficking and torture were reported in different parts of the province. As far as 27 Jirgas were held on women-related issues in which 15 women/girls were given as compensation (Vanni) to settle the tribal conflicts or free will marriages issues. More than 5 cases were registered against Jirga holders and parents and some of the Jirga holders were also arrested but later released as most of the parents of survivors and Jirga holders denied of conducting any Jirga or they got released/bailed through courts. The famous Jirga holder and some how supporter of honor killing, the former minister was booked on the remarks of CJ but interestingly he and his son got bail before arrest from the High Court within one day. According to data collected, FIRs were registered in 208 cases, 170 cases could not be registered, while in 37 incidents, the status of FIR could not be ascertained, whether it was registered or not later because in some cases FIRs were registered even after week or month. The ages of victims/survivors were as follows: 81 women were 18 years old or under 18, 112 between 19 to 36 years, 42 women were above 37 years old; while 239 womens age could not be ascertained. The ages of men murdered on pretext of honour killing are not included. According to data, 39 women/girls were tortured or arrested by the police as in compensation of male accused or under minor allegations and in first quarter 82 women faced such violence by the police. Most of the women were released next day or in couple of days.