ISLAMABAD, April 26: The capital-based civil society organizations (CSOs) on Tuesday criticized the government for, what they termed, its lacklustre response towards increasing incidents of violence against women. Speaking at a press conference at Islamabad Press Club, representatives of CSOs came down hard on the government in general and women parliamentarians in particular for doing nothing to check domestic violence.

They said in the absence of adequate laws on domestic violence and complicated criminal procedures, perpetrators were easily let off the hook.

The speakers also asked the government to provide a comprehensive legal framework so that the culprits could be apprehended and handed down strict punishments.

They also pledged to join hands to participate in a coordinated advocacy and awareness-raising campaign to stop violence against women.

Despite tall claims made by the government regarding enlightened moderation since its coming into power, violence against women is on the rise, they said.

“Women parliamentarians are more interested in having their pictures printed in the press and frequently give interviews highlighting women’s rights in the society,” Naeem Mirza of Aurat Foundation said.

However, he said, be it women parliamentarians or women ministers, they took no time while providing lip service for women’s cause and had virtually failed to make their presence felt in the parliament.

Talking about the availability of facilities for burn victims, he said, at present, only Wah Cantonment hospital and Kharian CMH had burn units in this part of the country.

However, the two hospitals only admit defence personnel, he said, adding that the government should provide the facility at every district hospital.

Fauzia Tanveer of Strengthening Participatory Organization said the recent incident wherein a 30-year-old women from Peshawar died after being set on fire allegedly by her husband was a clear indication of existing sorry state of affairs.

During the past few weeks, media and CSOs have reported many fresh cases of acid throwing and typical stove-burning which need attention from the quarters concerned, she said.

The worsening of situation is an indication of growing intolerance in the society, particularly towards women. On the other hand, state functionaries either look too indifferent or helpless in tackling the issue, she said. The acute shortage of medical and rehabilitation services for burn victims is another causes of rising death toll, she claimed.

Talking about the objectives of the awareness campaign, Mr Shamas of Human Right Commission of Pakistan said its purpose was to stop violence against women and facilitate proper care and rehabilitation of burn victims.

The campaign would include comprehensive research on recent incidents of women-burning, legislative review to suggest appropriate laws for protection and rehabilitation of burn victims, mass-scale sensitization about women rights and mobilization for establishment of burn units at public hospitals for providing free and adequate treatment of the victims.

Representatives of as many as 18 CSOs were present on the occasion.