SLC22-W5/ GENDER VIOLENCE

Please tell us if there is a special law in your country to protect women's rights and what is your opinion regarding this law.

Greetings to everybody, we all know women’s rights are a global issue. In my country we have a special law to protect women from violence and give them their rights.

For example the Constitution of Pakistan under Article 25(3) recognises gender equality and allows special provisions for women’s protection. There is also a law like the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 to protect women from abuse.

I think these laws are a good start. Yes they provide a framework but enforcement is a challenge. Awareness, education and strict implementation is the key to make these laws effective for women.

Please state whether you consider this law to be effective and whether it does not violate the principle of equality before the law enjoyed by both men and women.

We know that, equality before the law is a principle that is worth having and some people using these laws will turn around to claim that they favor women. However, I feel special measures can be necessary to redress past roles of prejudice.

While promoting equity for all is not dismissed by these laws, it tries to level the playing field and get things right for everyone.

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Case Study 2

From the list of crimes mentioned in class, say which ones you consider may be crimes of gender violence and which ones may be common crimes committed against a woman or women.

We know that different violence against women is different from country to country. In Pakistan, I believe,Physical violence. is the most usual sort of violence that women face from men.

Well it is sad but that is what most women go through everyday. These acts are known to stem for gender inequality and Social – Cultural factors.

Some types of crimes, such as marital abuse, are evidently gendered than others, whereas some others may be crimes simply perpetrated against women as is the case with theft.

This, I think, can effectively be prevented by education of the masses on the existence of such laws and ramping up of enforcement of the laws in place.

Have you or someone close to you been a victim of gender violence. What was the situation? Was the victim able to assert her rights? Do you think the law favored the victim?

Of course, of course, I think it’s normal for me to have seen many instances of gender violence. Of course, everyone knows that it is an unfortunate fact in our societies for some women. I know many cases where women had to endure just because they did not receive support from family or society.

One of the thorniest concerns that most people encounter is stating their rights. Sometimes the victims were able to open their mouth and ask for help, but unfortunately not everyone gets such luck. Yes some laws exists but effectiveness depends on how much these laws are enforced.

Finally, the law is sometime cruel to the victims but it doesn’t go to the limits in helping them. So valence, culture, and sources are as crucial. It is for this reason that I think there is need to establish a culture that will enable the victims to speak out for what they want. When shall we be in the position to allow these changes to take root? The answer is – only then can we make the desired change.

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Part 3

Case Study 1.

A thief arrives at a restaurant and subdues the customers there so they give up their belongings. A woman refuses to hand over her cell phone and money, instead she confronts the thief so he fires his firearm and shoots the aforementioned woman, causing her death.

This must be regarded as a clear case of Gender Violence. We know that gender violence entails any actions that cause negative impacts to a certain individual stand due to their gender; in the above passage the man is aggressive due to his control and discrimination of his wife as a female.

The insults, humiliating behaviour, restrictions and beating comes from societal standards which regard women as subordinates. I believe that this stems from patriarchal cultural values that afford men certain primacy and that is why I accord its categorization as gender based violence over and above being a routine crime.

Yes, such cases are really very much possible and horrific but the need for laws and awareness to women comes into a picture. Such ideologies should be therefore contested and justice for perpetrators of any sort of violence secured.

Case Study 2.

After some time, a man began insulting his wife, telling her that she was not worthy as a woman. He humiliated her, not letting her work or go out, claiming that a woman belongs to the house and cannot go out without her husband's consent.
One day, in the middle of the argument, the woman tried to respond to his insults and he beat her up, leaving her face with bruises.

This is most certainly a crime of gender violence. If you recall, gender violence is action that negatively affects a person based on their gender and in this instance, the man’s actions stem from domination and discrimination of his wife as a female.

The insults, humiliation, restrictions and physical abuse all have cultural roots based on the cultural viruses that view women as lower or less superior to men. I believe that this behavior stems from very strongly rooted in a belief that a man has the right to assert dominance over a woman, which is why this falls under gender based violence not just criminal activity.

Oh yes, such cases are still evident today, however; they show why there are laws and awareness of women rights. For these oppressive thoughts to be combatted and the parties on the receiving end of such violence to get justice it is very important.