ISLAMABAD: A roundtable on “Gender-Based Violence and Legislation in Pakistan” was held by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in collaboration with the Chief Commissioner, Islamabad and attended by Nisha Ishtiaq, Additional Commissioner and Women’s Development Authority Islamabad; Valeria Khan from ASF; Islamabad Operations DIG Syed Mustafa Tanwer; Nabeela Malick, Chairman, INGAD; and lawyer Hafiz Ahsan Khohar.
IPRI President Dr. Amb Raza Muhammad highlighted Islam’s controversial emphasis on gender equality and the values preached by Muhammad Alaihis Salam on women’s empowerment.
Participants pointed out that the prevailing level of discrimination and marginalization in society is due to the negative influence of culture and the influence of medieval patriarchy. Therefore, society is protected by gender-based challenges in the sexual, psychological and physical spheres and no amount of legislation and good governance can control it.
He pointed out that there are many laws to deal with any incident of gender-based violence, but they lack an implementation mechanism or administrative will respectively.
The law is not gender-contextual, women or men can be victims of violence and abuse, and the law applies equally.
The representatives of the round table said that there is violence in our society and no assumptions can be rejected. As noted, the extent of domestic violence is often underreported and women are sometimes reluctant to come forward for fear of retribution. This phenomenon can only be checked by educating the public and creating more awareness across the board.
The role of gender power dynamics has also been identified and agreed as one of the main causes of abuse because perpetrators can get away with any wrongdoing.
The need of the hour is to empower women and talk about sex, violence and diseases related to women like Fistula to avoid the assumption that they are part of a western conspiracy.
The need to ensure cultural sensitivity has been highlighted to eliminate marginalization and discrimination against women in situations such as inheritance.
Special cases have been filed for women at all levels of administration to report and protest against violence against women.
Empowerment of Traditional Dispute Resolution Committee (DSR) or Jirga system is essential to address GBV issues in tribal and rural areas.
Speakers agreed that most policies are not based on research and ground reality, but based on whims and wishful thinking that sooner or later lead to negative impacts. It also called for increased capacity to implement laws and resolve violent disputes in the community.
