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Media for Change

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

Media for Change

Media for Change

Media for Change

Keeping in mind the value of campaigning through print and electronic media, White Ribbon has successfully engaged journalists from all over the country. It provides them with the facilities of a resource centre to enable them to research their features, videos, articles etc. and hold training workshops to teach the method of gender-sensitive reporting.

To make the initiative of gender sensitization of the media a sustainable effort, a network of media alumni has also been set up, and so far, most of the journalists who are involved in the engagement process have become active members of the White Ribbon Media Alumni. The main objective of this network is to promote the concept of gender-sensitive reporting within media and to advocate women’s rights through articles, news reports, and features.

In order to formalize the concept of gender sensitivity in media, White Ribbon launched a Code of Ethics for Gender Sensitive Reporting during its first National Conference on Gender and Media, held on the International Women’s Day 2012, in Islamabad. Code of Ethics, endorsed by 150 journalists present at the event, includes Basic Principles of gender-sensitive reporting; Mainstreaming Gender in Media Coverage; Accountability and Impartiality, Gender Stereotyping; Coverage of Gender-Based Violence; Workplace – Capacity Building and Promotion.

To assess the implementation of the Code of Ethics, White Ribbon held the second National Conference on Gender and Media on International Women’s Day 2013. The major highlight of the second conference was White Ribbon Media Awards – for which the journalists submitted about 100 entries. Acknowledging the efforts of journalists on gender-sensitive reporting, White Ribbon gave away the awards in the categories of Print, Broadcast, Web, and Photo Journalism.

Legal Awareness Programme

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

Legal Awareness Programme

Legal Awareness Programme

Legal Awareness Programme

In recent years, the Government of Pakistan introduced and implemented various laws and amendments to counter gender-based discrimination, violence against women, and economic and social empowerment of women. These laws address different forms of violence against women like workplace harassment, acid attacks, honour killings, forced marriages etc.

Women’s rights are protected by the Constitution, and other legislative measures are taken by the government but still victims are unable to get relief in true spirit of all these pro-women laws because of lack of awareness and implementation of the laws. The stakeholders including police, judiciary, lawyers, MLOs and service providers lack capacity for effective implementation of women-friendly legislation.

White Ribbon has initiated a nationwide legal literacy campaign to address this situation. The initiative includes:

  • A review of national and provincial pro-women laws
  • Training and capacity building of key stakeholders
  • Provide legal assistance to victims
  • Raising awareness online and offline amongst women and communities at large
  • We have also reviewed and analyzed laws which need to be amended in favor of women. We have made advocacy efforts through engagement of
    parliamentarians and media for amendments in the anti-women laws.

Laws and Remedies regarding Violence against Women

Laws & Remedies

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

Laws & Remedies

Laws & Remedies

Laws & Remedies

Physical Violence
Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person or animal by way of bodily contact.

Applicable Laws:

332-337-L, (Hurt), Pakistan Penal Code, 1860

How to Avail Remedy:

  • Consultation with authorized medical officer
  • File an FIR with the local police station
  • File a petition to the court

Punishments:

  • Qisas (Punishment under Hudood Laws)
  • Payment of Arsh, Diyat
  • Imprisonment extending to 14 years or less
  • Maximum fine of Rs.1,000,000
Domestic violence
Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior which involves violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting.

Applicable Laws:The Punjab Protection of Women against violence Act, 2016 Sindh Domestic Violence (prevention and protection) Bill, 2013 Baluchistan Domestic Violence (prevention and Protection) Bill, 2014

How to Avail Remedy:

  • File an FIR with the local police station;
  • File a petition to the court;
  • An aggrieved person may submit a complaint for obtaining a protection, residence or monetary order.

Punishment:The punishment will be given against the offence, as mentioned under Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, committed during domestic violence.

Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by violence or coercion, acts to traffic a person or acts directed against a person’s sexuality, regardless of the relationship to the victim. It can be in different forms such as Rape, Stripping, Exhibitionism, Sexual photography, Incest, forced prostitution, Trafficking for sexual exploitation, Stalking, Eve-Teasing and Sexual harassment.Rape is committed when; Against her will; Without her consent; When the consent has been obtained by putting her in fear of death or of hurt; With or without her consent when she is under 16 years of age

Applicable Laws:

  • Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2015, with added section 377-A & 377-B, Pakistan Penal Code
  • Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013
  • Sections 354 and 354-A, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860
  • Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, 2002
  • Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offense of Rape) Act 2016
  • Torture, custodial death and custodial rape (prevention and punishment) Act, 2014
  • Section 376, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860
  • Anti-Rape Bill, 2016

How to Avail Remedy:

  • File an FIR with police-station falling in jurisdiction
  • Complaint with magistrate
  • Report of authorized medical practitioner
  • Cases of gang rape, child molestation and robbery coupled with rape are termed as Terrorist acts and to be tried by the Anti-Terrorist Courts.

Punishments:

  • For trafficking for prostitution is 25 years
  • For sexual abuse is life imprisonment, with fine of Rs.500,000
  • For outraging modesty of women and stripping in public is imprisonment, which may extend to 2 years and fine.
  • For Rape Death, Imprisonment of not less than 10 years, and can extend to 25 years, and Fine.
  • In case of gang rape, the punishment is of death or imprisonment for life.
Sexual Harassment at Workplace

“Harassment” means any unwelcome sexual advance; request for sexual favors or other verbal or written communication; or physical conduct of a sexual nature; or sexually demeaning attitudes

Applicable Laws:The Punjab Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2012 Section 509, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860

How to Avail Remedy:
. Complaint made to Inquiry Committee, in case of a private office.
. Complaint to Ombudsman, in case of Government Office. 

Punishments:

  • U/S 509, PPC, 1860: Imprisonment which may extend to three years or a fine of up to Rs.500,000 or both.
  • Minor penalties
  • Censure
  • Withholding
  • Stoppage
  • Major penalties: Reduction to a lower post or time-scale
  • Compulsory retirement
  • Removal from service
  • Dismissal from service  
  • Fine
Emotional or Psychological or Abuse
The behavior characterized by a person subjecting, or exposing, another person that may result in psychological trauma;

Applicable Law:The Punjab Protection of Women against violence Act, 2016

How to Avail Remedy:An aggrieved person may submit a complaint for obtaining a protection, residence or monetary order in favour of the aggrieved person.

Economic Violence or Abuse
Any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, or not complying with economic responsibilities, such as alimony.

Applicable Laws:

Section 498-A, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860

    • Section 9, Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961
    • Section 2 (ii), Ground for dissolution of marriage
    • The Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Act 2015
    • The Women in distress and detention fund Act
    • Family Courts Act, 1964
    • The Punjab Protection of women against violence act, 2016
    • Punjab Partition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Act, 2015
    • The Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Act 2015

How to Avail Remedy:

    • Legal Suit can be filed in court
    • File an FIR
    • Complaint with magistrate

Punishments:

  • Prohibition of depriving woman from inheriting property u/s 498-A:
  • Imprisonment shall extend to 10 years, but not less than 5 years, and fine up to Rs.1.0 million or both.
Electric Violence or Cyberbullying
It is the recent form of violence; used against women as a tool; to harass, bully and torture them; emotionally, mentally and psychologically;

Applicable Laws:The Prevention of electronic crimes act, 2016

How to avail Remedy:Complaint to Investigation Agency or authorized officer, authorized by the Federal Government.

Punishments:Imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years; or with fine which may extend to Rs.5.0 million or with both.

Honor Crimes

The homicide of a member of a family or social group; or by other members; due to the belief the victim has brought dishonor upon the family or the community Applicable Laws:

  • Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2004
  • Anti-Honor killing laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014
  • Anti-Honor killing bill, 2016

How to Avail Remedy:

  • File an FIR with local police station
  • Filing of complaint under section 200 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898

Punishment:

  • Relatives of victim would only be able to pardon the offender, if sentenced to capital punishment;
  • The culprit would face a mandatory life sentence of 12.5 years
Acid Throwing

A form of violent assault; The act of throwing acid or a similarly corrosive substance onto the body of another intentionally;

Applicable Laws:

  • Section 336 and specially 336(A) and 336(B), Pakistan Penal Code, 1860
  • Criminal law (Amendment) Act, 2011
  • Acid Control and acid crime prevention Act, 2011

How to Avail Remedy:

  • Shall immediately be given initial treatment.
  • Photographs of injuries of the victim.
  • Filing of FIR in police station falling under jurisdiction.
  • Filing of complaint with Magistrate.

Punishment:

  • Shall not be less than 14 years and a minimum fine of Rs.1.0 million.
Child Marriage
It is a formal marriage; or informal union; entered into by an individual before reaching the age of 16.

Applicable Laws:

  • Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929
  • Punjab Marriage Restraint (amendment) Bill, 2015
  • Sindh Child Marriage Act, 2014

How to Avail Remedy:

  • Filing of FIR in police station falling under jurisdiction;
  • Filing of complaint with Magistrate

Punishments:

  • If a person, not being a minor;
  • Whoever performs conducts or directs child marriage;
  • Where a minor contracts child marriage, any person, being parent or guardian of a minor, lawful or unlawful;
  • Shall be punishable with simple imprisonment, which may extend to 6 months and fine of Rs.50,000.
Forced Marriage
It is a marriage in which one or both of the parties is married;without his or her consent or against his or her will. Applicable Laws:

  • The Prevention of Anti-women practices (Criminal law amendment) Act, 2011 Sections 310-A, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860

How to Avail Remedy:

  • Filing of FIR in police station falling under jurisdiction;
  • Filing of complaint with Magistrate

Punishments:

  • Minimum of 3 years and up to 7 years of imprisonment.
  • Between three- and 10-years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 0.5 million.
  • Forcing a woman to “marry” the Holy Quran to result in a jail term   of which is three to seven years and a fine of Rs0.5 million.
Anti-women Cultural Practices
The anti-women cultural practices in Pakistan include: Giving females in marriage or otherwise in badl-e-sulah, where a female is given in marriage or otherwise in consideration Practice of wanni, wherein young girls are forcibly married, as part of punishment for a crime committed by her male relatives. Practice of swara, where young girls are forcibly married to members of clans to resolve any feuds and is commonly found in Pashtun community. Marriage with Holy Qura’an

Applicable Laws: Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act, 2011

How to Avail Remedy: Register FIR with local police station falling in jurisdiction Complaint with magistrate

Punishments:

  • Punishment for giving a female in marriage or otherwise in badal-i-sulh, wanni or swara:
  • Imprisonment upto 7 years;
  • Not be less than 3 years
  • Liable to fine of Rs.500,000
  • Prohibition of marriage with Holy Qura’an:
  • Imprisonment of either description which may extend to seven years;
  • Not less than three years;
  • Liable to fine of five hundred thousand Rupees

Know the Red Flag

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

Know the Red Flag

Know the Red Flag

Know the Red Flag

Recognizing when others are being abused. It’s impossible to know with certainty what goes on behind closed doors, but there are some telltale signs and symptoms of emotional abuse and domestic violence. If you witness these warning signs of abuse in a friend, family member, or co-worker, take them very seriously.

Warning signs of abuse in other people who are being abused may:

Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner
Go along with everything their partner says and does
Check-in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing
Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner
Talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness

Warning signs of physical violence:
People who are being physically abused may:

Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents”
Frequently miss work, school, or social events without explanation
Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors)

Warning signs of isolation:
People who are being isolated by their abuser may:

Be restricted from seeing family and friends
Rarely go out in public without their partner
Have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car

The psychological warning signs of abuse: People who are being abused may:

Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn)
Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal

Fact Sheet of Violence Against Women

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

Fact Sheet of Violence Against Women

Fact Sheet of Violence Against Women

Fact Sheet of Violence Against Women

General overview of number of cases of Violence Against Women as reported by Human Rights Commission Pakistan:

  • Sexual violence 2004-2016: 4734
  • Honor crimes (men & women) 2004-2016: 15222
  • Burning cases 2004-2016: 1535
  • Domestic violence against women 2004-2016: 1843
  • Suicide 2004-2016: 35935
  • Women kidnapping 2004-2016: 5508
Punjab

The following statistics represent the number of VAW cases in Punjab in 2015, which go as:

  • Cases of rape were 2,720
  • Cases of honor killings were 173
  • Cases of acid throwing are 22
  • Burning cases are 35
  • Cases of beating were 588
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

The following statistics represent the number of VAW Cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in 2015, which go as:

  • Cases of gang-rape and rape are 32 & cases involving attempted rape are 20
  • Cases of honor-killing are 987
  • Cases of violence as according to cities of KPK are, incidents of violence in Peshawar are 104, in Mardan 35, in Kohat 14 and in Mansehra 11.
Sindh

The following statistics represent the number of VAW Cases in Sindh, which go as for last three years as:

  • Cases of gang-rape and rape are 344
  • Cases of honor-killings are 860
  • Incidents of acid-burning are 90
  • Burning cases 72
  • Cases of violence against women are 535 with specified cases of domestic violence being 481
Balochistan

The following Statistics represent the number of VAW Cases in Balochistan in 2015, which go as:

  • Cases of gang rape, rape, harassment, sodomy, stripping are 939
  • Burning (acid attacks, set on fire) cases are 143
  • Domestic Violence (acid attack, amputation, beating, edged tool attack, murder bids, set on fire, shaving, shot etc.) are 279
PDHS Survey

According to PDHS 2017-18, one of every five women in Pakistan are subjected to physical violence, a third of all married women go through it, as well. Following are some key findings of PDHS Survey

  • 28% of women age 15-49 have experienced Physical Violence since age 15.
  • 6% of women age 15-49 have experienced Sexual Violence since age 15.
  • 7% of women have experienced violence during pregnancy.
  • 8% of ever-married women report that their husbands display three or more specific types of controlling behaviours.
  • 34% of ever-married women have experienced spousal physical, sexual, or emotional violence.
  • The most common type of spousal violence is emotional violence (26%), followed by physical violence (23%).
  • 5% of women have experienced spousal sexual violence.
  • 26% of ever-married women have sustained injuries. Cuts and bruises are the most common types of injuries reported.
  • 56% of affected women never sought any help or talked with anyone about resisting or stopping the violence.

 

Pakistan has been enlisted among the worst performers ranking Pakistan 151 out of 153 countries (Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020 by World Economic Forum). Pakistan was at 112th number in 2006. The report focuses on four areas: educational attainment (Pakistan’s ranking is 143rd); health and survival (149th); and political empowerment (93rd); economic participation and opportunity (150th).

Cycle of Violence Against Women.

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

Cycle of Violence Against Women.

Cycle of Violence Against Women.

Cycle of Violence Against Women.

Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern or cycle of violence:

Cycle of Violence/Abuse against Women

Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern, or cycle of violence:

Abuse – Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or violent behaviour. Abuse is a power play designed to show you who the  boss is.

Guilt – After abusing you, your partner feels guilt, but not over what he has done. He’s more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for his abusive behaviour.

Excuses – Your abuser rationalizes what he has done. The person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for the abusive behaviour – anything to avoid taking responsibility.

“Normal” behaviour – The abuser does everything he can to regain control and keep the victim in the relationship. He may act as if nothing had happened, or he may turn on the charm. This peaceful honeymoon phase may give the victim hope that the abuser has really changed this time.

Fantasy and planning – Your abuser begins to fantasize about abusing you again. He spends a lot of time thinking about what you’ve done wrong and how he’ll make you pay. Then he makes a plan for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.

Set-up – Your abuser sets you up and puts his plan in motion, creating a situation where he can justify abusing you.

Your abuser’s apologies and loving gestures between episodes of abuse can make it difficult to leave. He may make you believe that you are the only person who can help him, that things will be different this time, and that he truly loves you. However, the dangers of staying are very real.