ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: During the past nine months, the Gender Crime Cell (GCC) has registered 299 cases of violence against women, including 25 murder and 80 rape cases. The GCC, formed in April 2006, issued figures of crimes against women for the past nine months.

According to the GCC report, a total of 299 cases were reported between April 1 and Dec 31, 2006. Of the total, 33 cases involved gang rapes, 47 rapes, 26 Karo-Kari (honoring killing) incidents, 28 kidnappings, 28 Vanni/Swara (giving away girls to settle disputes), 30 cases of domestic violence, one child marriage, two cases involving narcotics, one attempt to murder, 37 cases against police for not registering FIRs and 37 others.

But, according to a recent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) report, over 400 cases of violence against women had been reported from all over the country, including 129 honour killings, 26 Karo-Kari incidents, 172 murders, 58 involving burn victims and 29 cases of domestic violence.

The cell received the cases from officials of the interior ministry, advisers on women development and representatives of NGOs and crisis centres.

The GCC report said that the cell had assisted women victims in the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrest of the accused besides helping them with their medico-legal examinations and providing personal security. Director-General of the National Police Bureau (NPB) Dr Shoaib Suddle said that the GCC had acted on all 299 cases of violence against women and directed the respective inspector-generals of police to take prompt action on them and provide justice to the victims.

He said that most of the people were still unaware about the GCC and that was why the cellhad received a very small number of cases of violence against women.

The official said that the GCC’s monitoring system was being strengthened so that it could follow up cases which were not registered with the cell but reported in the media to provide prompt justice.