He taunted me for having a daughter when he has five daughters of his own.” When my daughter was born, my father-in-law was not happy about it. My Father-in-law asked me why I did not give birth to a son. I was most surprised that this was said by a person who himself has not one but five daughters. Zainab says that after the birth of her daughter, she felt that her in-laws considered her and her daughter a burden. “I came to my siblings and instead of being a burden here, I started working hard to support my daughter,” she said.
Bibi Zainab, who belongs to the Nechari area of Quetta, lives in a dilapidated house due to financial difficulties. After her daughter’s birth, she left her in-laws in Lahore. Zainab’s father-in-law was unfriendly and often argued that even if she was killed in Lahore, the people of Quetta would not find her body.
According to Zainab, her husband threatened to kill her with a pillow at night. Their parents didn’t listen. The husband’s father was more concerned about his son’s salary rather his daughter. When the wife tried to confront him, he scolded her for not touching him.
Zainab said she recounted her life in a small roadside restaurant, where she worked in people’s houses and sold potato cutlets. Despite facing difficulties due to wet sheets and rain, she enjoyed playing tennis with her children. She started making chicken kebabs and fish, selling them for five rupees. She also witnessed inappropriate behavior from an old uncle and a deaf girl in a puncture shop. On August 14th, Zainab brought items worth 14-15 thousand rupees to her restaurant which caught fire. The house was destroyed, and she suffered three thefts. The incident highlights the challenges faced by women in such situations.
Zainab stated that she faced challenges in her job and eventually switched to a motorbike for transportation. She also provided pick-up services to local children from their homes. Despite the challenges, the use of motorbikes has increased the number of school children increased. Zainab’s family, including her mother and two sisters, provided her with courage and support. Despite her brother’s poor and unemployed situation, they never questioned her reasons for being in the restaurant business. The courage she received from her sisters was a significant factor in her success.
According to Zainab, one day, she met a woman who offered her a contact number for a sewing center. Zainab, unsure of her abilities, agreed to help, despite her limitations. She suggested hiring her younger sister, who also knows how to stitch and do embroidery, to assist with the center. They started a small sewing and embroidery center at home, working day and night to cover expenses. Zainab, unable to work properly due to time constraints and outdoor activities, handed the center over to her sister and niece, who now run it, empowering 60 to 80 girls through their handwork.
Zainab emphasizes the need for government assistance and policies to support women in poverty. She requests that families accept women’s cases, as only 2% of these cases are accepted. She also urges people to trust their daughters’ sisters to help them get jobs and live better lives. In Balochistan, the majority of women face strict environments where men do not allow them to work. Zainab wishes to provide good education and training for her daughter, using her available resources.
Yasmin Mughal, Program Officer of Aurat Foundation, a women’s rights and human rights activist, has been working in Balochistan since 1992. The foundation was established to protect women’s rights and provide justice to those females who face multiple challenges in every single day. Yasmin said that the number of reported cases in newspapers has increased, but the data is not yet available as of 2024.
Yasmeen stated that society often treats children poorly, leaving them in their mothers’ or relatives’ homes, which prevents their deep personality development. This lack of awareness and protection is a significant issue in Balochistan including Pakistan.
Civil society organizations and individuals are working to address this issue, but a regular system is needed to improve the education ratio and the lack of information about children’s rights. Women, particularly those without access to their identity cards, are especially vulnerable and require more attention and support from institutions.
According to Yasmeen, in the contemporary era, it is crucial to raise voices and ensure that representatives in state institutions are responsible for their roles. The referral mechanism should be a crucial tool for individuals facing problems at university or home, allowing them to seek help from the appropriate institutions. Society cannot exist without social institutions, and citizens should be protected in urban areas. The current system of separate helplines for WDs, Municipal Corporations, and police applications can confuse and hinder access to justice.
According to the UNFPA Pakistan report. A staggering 32 percent of women have experienced physical violence in Pakistan and 40 percent of married women have suffered from spousal abuse at some point in their lives.
Fauzia Shaheen, Chairperson Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women, said that a body established under the Act of 2017 exists, and the first Commission in Balochistan was established on March 22. One of our main responsibilities is to examine policy planning and the entire legislative process within the said body and government apparatus, and then recommend new legislation and modifications. The commission is authorized to investigate and routinely examine detention facilities in situations of abuses of human rights, including Crisis Centers, which fall under our purview.
Fauzia said changes are evident. That is essentially what we have in our three primary areas where we offer privacy, security, and help to women who are victims of gender-based violence, but one of our next parts of legislation will be in the Cabinet right now. “While we adhere to SOPs, we have a helpline 1089, if somebody needs support right away. We also have psychologists and attorneys staff who can provide urgent assistance. The Women’s Police Department Center is our next major close link.” She added
Fauzia further explained Domestic violence and abuse in empty husband-wife relationships are prevalent in GBV. The Ombudsperson’s Office is working on the enforcement of the Property Rights Bill to address these issues. They aim to provide three-month relief for women, addressing long waiting times and affordability issues. They aim to provide permanent shelters for six months to one year, ensuring complete rehabilitation for those who have lost their parents’ homes.
Muniza Hashmi Assistant Sub Inspector is currently posted at Serious Crime Investigation Wing Quetta, as an investigation officer in Gender Base Violence. She claims Pakistan is a country that scores among the lowest in the world for gender equality, and where patriarchal attitudes prevent many abused women from seeking and accessing justice.
Hashmi further added the total number of rape cases in 2023 was 05 trail, 02 dispose of, and 01 under investigation and in 2024, 07 rape cases were reported and 01 was disposed of.
According to Article 25 (2), no person should be discriminated against based on his/her sex alone. The Government of Pakistan recognizes that violence against women is a form of sex discrimination and that this is against the fundamentals of the Constitution.
Violence Act aims to protect women from domestic, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, stalking, and cybercrimes, perpetrated by their husband(s), sibling(s), adopted children, relatives, and domestic employers.
Muniza stated the Women’s Juvenile Facilitation Desk is a vital step towards supporting and empowering women who have faced violations. The GBV (Gender-Based Violence) seamless service model is a commendable initiative by the Government of Pakistan to combat violence against women and girls. By implementing this model in all districts and provinces, the government aims to provide comprehensive support to victims of gender-based violence. The facilities offered under this initiative are crucial for victims’ recovery and justice:
- First aid: Immediate medical attention for physical injuries.
- FIR (First Information Report) lodging: Official registration of the incident to initiate legal proceedings.
- Medical examination: Forensic examination and documentation of evidence.
- Collection and forensic analysis: Collection and analysis of evidence for investigation and prosecution.
- Post-trauma rehabilitation: Counseling, psychological support, and rehabilitation services to help victims recover from trauma.
She said this integrated approach ensures that victims receive seamless support, from immediate medical attention to legal aid and rehabilitation, all under one roof. This initiative demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence and ensuring justice and support for survivors.