International day to eliminate violence against women on November 25

The cases of violence against women in Pakistan are on rise despite rosy statements and high-pitched rhetoric by policymakers, and when the world is observing the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women on November 25, efforts should be taken to translate words into action.
A large number of women in Pakistan have been denied the enjoyment of a whole range of rights - economic, social, civil and political. Those are denied not only the right to education, but also the right to decide matters relating to their marriage and divorce.
Domestic violence and physical abuse, includes rape, acid throwing, burning and honour killings is still widespread in the country. Forced marriage of young girls continues to be reported. Physical abuse of women in custody continues to be rife. Despite promises of police reform, police continue to use torture to intimidate, harass and humiliate detainees to extract money or information.
The term "violence against women" means any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
In addressing violence against women, governments and other actors should promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programs so that before decisions are taken an analysis may be made of their effects on women and men, respectively.
A recent UN report also indicated that violence against women increases their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, while according to Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, violence against women is one of the four major causes of death in the world along with disease, hunger and war.
According to UN estimates, there are up to 200 million fewer women in the world than there should be, based on demographic data, which show that for every 103 boys born there are 100 girls. The reasons include abortions for sex selection, infanticide of girls, limited access to medical care and food for young girls, honour killings, dowry killings, violence in domestic life, and deaths of girls and women in conflict and post-conflict situations.
The World Health Organisation estimates that globally one woman in five will during her lifetime be the subject of rape or attempted rape, and one in three will be the victim of violence, which means 700 million women have been or will be raped during their lifetime.
In Pakistan, there are effective laws aimed at checking violence against women, but their implementation is not said to be up to the mark. Crimes against women such as harassment and attacks on modesty are covered by the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The government is making efforts to curb domestic violence against women, but in the absence of comprehensive data it was difficult to develop an effective strategy to combat the problem.
In a recent seminar at Islamabad, Ministry for Women's Development's Secretary Sohail Safdar said the problem was multi-faceted and required undivided focus from all quarters if it was to be dealt with properly, adding the interior and home departments in all provinces had been asked to update their databases.
Safdar said the Pakistan Federal Cabinet had approved Rs 480 million grant for programs to deal with the problem, adding that was the first time the issue was being taken seriously by the Pakistan government.
In Pakistan, after the October 8 earthquake, a large number of women is among the affected and displaced persons and it is noted that acts of harassment of these women in affected areas are rising. Many men and women are living in camps in close proximity, and this is leading to harassment of women. There have been reports of molestation and attempted rape.
Human rights organisations say that even in usual conditions, the rate of domestic violence is high across the country, which has now increased in this tragic situation.
In Pakistan several organisations and NGOs are holding workshops and seminars on Thursday to observe the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, which would greatly help in focusing attention of the policymakers and masses on this serious issue.
The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is also holding a seminar on "Social Aftershocks: Violence Against Female Quake Victims" at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library, Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk, Karachi.