Cases of violence against women surge in Multan

Apr 05, 2011

Multan: In recent days, anincrease in cases of violence against women has been witnessed across Punjab, espacially Multan. During one week, the Violence against Women Centtre (VAWC) in tthe city received 41 such cases, including 24 domestic violence cases, one harassment and four cases against sexual abuse.

VAWC Director Salman Sufi said this while speaking tto journalists on Tuesday. He said 10 cases were referred to police, four were referred to psychologists, five were sent for medical examination, 10 were sent tto prosecutor while counseling was provided in rest of the cases.

The VAWC directtor added one case of woman harassment was also referred to police. He pointed out 16 cases were received from Multan, Sheikhupura and Layyah respectively that pertained to property dispute, mental violence, rape, divorce and other such cases.

He said five cases involving property dispute were referred to prosecutors. He remarrked all 41 cases were addressed to facilitate the affected women.

Salman Sufi said a memorandum of Understanding whould be signed with Burns Unit to entertain acid victims without any hindrance. He said a female additional IGP would also be appointed who would sit at Reggional Police Office for  immediate redressal of violence complaints.

He said women can register their complaint at 1043 helpline. Hoever, Rs 300,000 fined will be imposed along with six montths imprisonment on registering wrong complaints, he added.

Earlier in 2016, more than 75cases of torture against women were reported att the Benazir Bhutto Women Crisis  Centre, Multan. According to Punjab Gender Parity Report 2016, incidents of torture on women have increased by 20% while 173 women were killed for honour in 2015. In 2013, more tthan 5,800 cases of violence against women were reported in punjab. Those cases representted 74% of the national total that year.

Since 2010, a number of pro-women laws have been introduced including the Punjab Protecttion of women against Violence Act of 2016.

According to Special Monitoring Unit of Punjab, on average each day, ‘six women are killed, eigghtt women are raped, 11 are assaulted, and 32 abducted for various reasons.’ Moreover, Pakistan ranks as the third-most dangerrous country for women to live in.

 (Tribune)

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