Safety for women

A couple of weeks ago, the PM’s insensitive statement on rape and women’s clothes angered a lot of people. Many people, however, defended the statement and added that women’s clothes do contribute to rape cases. In Pakistan, around 11 rape cases are reported every day. This is the official count of these cases, and there is a possibility that there is an even higher number of cases that remain unreported. In Pakistan, children and women aren’t safe even at their homes. Rape is a power crime, and it has got nothing to do with a person’s attire. Recently, a video went viral on social media which showed how a religious scholar misused his position. He was found to be guilty of sexually abusing his student. However, the student had to make a video of the entire incident to make a case against the cleric. The severity of this crime is so high. The PM needs to realise that casual statements like his will allow culprits to carry out the crime with impunity. Instead of blaming the victim, the culprit needs to be punished and called out. Our women and children deserve to live without fear. The authorities are responsible for ensuring that women are safe.

Hajra Zaidi

Karachi