Pakistan's Punjab declares 'emergency' due to rise in rape cases

Islamabad, June 22: Amid a rapid increase of sexual abuse against women and children cases, the Punjab province in Pakistan has took a decision to declare "an emergency". This came after Punjab Home Minister Atta Tarar, in a press conference, said that an increase in such incidents was a serious issue for society and government officials.

 

 

The Pakistani minster, said, "Four to five cases of rape are being reported daily in Punjab due to which the government is considering special measures to deal with cases of sexual harassment, abuse and coercion. To deal with rape cases, the administration has declared an emergency."

 

Taking measures, the minister said that civil society, women's rights organisations, teachers, and attorneys would be consulted in the matter. Besides this, he urged "parents to teach their children about the importance of safety". He stated that the accused in a number of cases had been detained, the government had launched an anti-rape campaign, and students would be warned about harassment in schools.

 

 

The home minister stated that now is the time for parents to learn how to protect their children. However, he did not spoke about any punishment for the accused. He stated that the government will raise the number of DNA samples on a fast-track basis. "A system on abuse will be implemented in two weeks, reducing the incidents," he added.

 

Pakistan has been suffering and battling a gender violence epidemic and violence against women across classes in the country. It should be noted that Pakistan ranks 153 out of 156 countries, just above Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan, according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2021 rankings.

 

 

An article published in International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) said Pakistan reported as many as 14,456 women during the last four years, while Punjab reported the highest number in this regard. Besides this, women's harassment in the workplace, domestic violence against women and other discriminatory activities against women have also been rampant.