Derogatory remarks, abusive behaviour against women

Civil society seeks cancellation of Kh Asif, Hamdullah’s membership

ISLAMABAD: The civil society on Friday urged Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani and Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq to cancel the membership of JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamdullah and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for their derogatory remarks and abusive behaviour towards women.

Remarks of Khawaja Asif for MNA Shireen Mazari on the floor of the National Assembly and verbal and attempted physical abuse of Hafiz Hamdullah towards human rights activist Marvi Sarmad during a talk at a private news channel resulted in a strong reaction from all sections of the society, at both national and international level, with people expressing shock over the language used by the parliamentarians. 

“We believe that such behaviour by those who represent us in the Parliament would encourage such behaviour among general public. Tolerance of abusive attitude of parliamentarians towards women will further promote violence and harassment against women in the country that is already trying to recover from recent most intense inhuman cases of the burning of girls,” said the media statement issued by Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Alliance.

The statement urged general public and civil society activists in particular to raise strong voice against the social mindset which allows men to abuse women at any forum. “Sadly, this has also penetrated in our respected Parliament. Passing sexist remarks, abusing, threatening and torturing women shall not be acceptable anymore. We, the women rights activists and organisations, demand speaker National Assembly and chairman Senate to cancel the memberships of abusers from Upper and Lower House,” said Rabeea Hadi, co-chair of EVAWG Alliance.

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) also took serious notice of the growing disrespect, intolerance and impertinence amongst men and women in the country, especially on media and places of high order that should actually be presenting and promoting role models for the people of Pakistan.

Secretary WPC MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik in her statement expressed shock and deepest regrets on the behaviour displayed by Hafiz Hamdullah. “The obnoxious behaviour and language used by the senator for a woman was deplorable and absolutely unacceptable.” She appealed to the leadership of JUI-F to take note of this incident and immediately cancel the membership of the senator.

She further stated that Barrister Masroor, another panelist in the programme, should not have used derogatory remarks for Chairman Islamic Ideology Council Maulana Shirani. Shaista showed great concern about the growing disregard and lack of respect for each other in the society.

The Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF) also condemned the remarks against Shireen Mazari and human rights activist Marvi Sarmad, stating that the civil society of Pakistan is capable enough to defend itself against any malicious campaign. It also stated that Khawaja Asif and Hamdullah have no right to remain as members of the Parliament of Pakistan.

The PCSF, which is a representative body of more than 50 national human rights and development organisations, expressed serious concerns over how a minister of the federal government disgraced his female colleague in the National Assembly and the abusive language used by Hafiz Hamdullah. It stated that these members of the Parliament should be banned for damaging the repute of the country in the international community.

“The entire international community is heading to protect and respect women but here the senators and federal ministers do not know how to behave with women who are contributing for the nation building,” said the statement. The statement says that Pakistan has ratified international covenants and conventions regarding the protection and granting of rights of the women, but on the other hand its parliamentarians are bulldozing human values. 

The representative organizations of PCSF also include Aurat Foundation, South-Asia Partnership Pakistan, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Sungi Development Foundation, Cholistan Development Council, Khwendokor, Rozan, Bargad, SAFWCO, Institute for Development Studies and Practices, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research and Simorgh.