KARACHI, Sept 28: Speakers at a conference on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing incidents of sexual violence against women and children and urged authorities to take stern steps against the culprits so that the menace could be checked effectively.
Speaking at a roundtable conference organized by the Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights, they said 17 children – six girls and 11 boys – aged between three and 16 years were raped and killed in the city between January and September this year.
They suggested that awareness regarding gender issues be created so that the mindset of society about rape victims could be changed and so that perpetrators could be brought to book.
They also suggested that gender sensitization trainings should be carried out for personnel of law enforcement agencies and judiciary.
They complained that the attitude of police and investigation officials was hostile towards victims and that needed change.
Speakers suggested that women officials should be posted at every police station to facilitate victims of sexual violence.
They observed that the number of incidents of sexual violence being reported now in the media had increased; however, pointing out that in some sections of media, such incidents were reported in a sensational manner, which affected the lives of victims and their families.
They suggested that media persons should evolve a code of ethics as to how to report sexual violence crimes.
They said that by highlighting such incidents, civil society organizations and media were maligning the country or government, but it was done so that authorities were moved and action was taken against culprits.
One of the speakers said a proposal regarding law on sexual harassment at the workplace was presented to the government a couple of years back, but no progress was made on it.
They also suggested that a police-women committee, on the pattern of the CPLC, be set up at the provincial level for monitoring police behaviour with women victims.
One speaker, a medico legal officer, said timely medical examination was very important in rape cases, suggesting victims to immediately go any of the three big govt city hospitals. Police would be called to record the statement of victims there, she added.
Speakers included former chief of National Commission on Status of Women Justice (Retd) Majida Rizvi, MPAs Shazia Marri (PPP) and Fareeha Ambareen (MQM), Anis Haroon, Dr Haroon Ahmad, Zubaidah Mustafa, Dr Shershah Syed, Amna Mehvish, Dr Rubina, Arbab Chandio and others.
Later, the participants gathered at the Karachi Press Club for a walk to protest against the growing number of incidents of sexual violence against women and children.
The street theatre group, Tehreek-i-Niswan, also staged a play highlighting issues faced by women in front of the press club.
KARACHI, Sept 28: Speakers at a conference on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing incidents of sexual violence against women and children and urged authorities to take stern steps against the culprits so that the menace could be checked effectively.
