ISLAMABAD   -  Pakistan People’s Party Vice-President and Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Sherry Rehman on Saturday said that violence against women must be stopped through legislation.  

Condemning Noor Mukadam’s murder, Sherry Rehman said: “There can be no two ways about it or any explanation for it. Unfortunately, this is not a one-off case and there must be justice for Noor and all other girls who have been violated or wronged, let alone killed.” 

She added, “In a span of two weeks, there have been multiple cases of violence against women. With such incidents happening on a daily basis, it is important for us to discuss why the domestic violence bill is needed in Pakistan. This bill seeks to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups from domestic violence. It also provides relief and rehabilitation to all victims of domestic violence.” 

Discussing Khadija Siddiqi’s case, she said, it was shocking that the man who stabbed her 23 times has been granted remission on the account of donating blood and on payment of the requisite fines of Arsh and Daman. He did not even get to complete his 5-year jail sentence.  

This is not the example that we should be setting. On the other hand, Usman Mirza who assaulted a couple is still on physical remand. There needs to be swift justice in such cases, she said. 

Pakistan, she said, ranks at the 151st position out of 153 countries at the Global Gender Gap Index of the World Economic Forum.  

“There are countless cases which do not get reported or make it to social media but one can’t deny the femicide happening in Pakistan. Someone needs to take the responsibility for Quratulain who was murdered by her husband within her home, or for the women who were beaten up by the men of their family. We can no longer ignore the suffering of our women,” she said. 

Highlighting the importance of the domestic violence bill, she said: “This landmark legislation is long-over due and most certainly, the need of the hour. It’s high time that we outlaw practices which are a threat to the safety and wellbeing of our women. Instead of blaming women for sexual violence, it is important that we work towards changing our culture of sexism and misogyny.” 

She concluded by saying: “The government needs to do more than just act in sporadic cases. They need to institutionally have a response mechanism and an environment that enables women to be safe and empowered in public and private spaces. It is also government’s responsibility to ensure that women feel safe to speak up against the injustice happening to them.”