The cruel and vicious gang-rape of a lady from Karachi and the subsequent ‘public gossip’ surrounding the incident should really serve as a grim reminder and reality check to Pakistanis that the attitude of a number of our countrymen towards female victims is seriously flawed and until that changes, the ability of Pakistan to prosper on any front is questionable.
Our criminal justice system failed the victim – that much is clear; with the complicity of the media, the female was blamed and humiliated in a number of ways, some more arbitrary than others. Accusations were made surrounding the ‘circumstances’ of her rape for instance, her being out at 2 a.m. at a “party”, the clothes she was wearing, the fact that she co-habited with a male, her not being overly keen on identifying the perpetrators – the point that such rhetoric was designed to make was that the victim perversely deserved some of the blame for being raped by five men. Even later, her ‘mysterious disappearance’ was being touted as a conspiracy theory hinting that she had some ulterior motive for being raped. The government minister, who was supposed to be protecting the victim added fuel to the fire of victim degradation by revealing the victim’s name and interpreting her trauma as “hyper” behaviour. However, I, don’t want to nominally exaggerate Mrs. Sharmila Faruqui’s incompetence in the matter (she simply has the unfortunate honour of being an easy target) because doing so distracts from the real issue at hand; the cruel double standards applied to female victims of crime by Pakistani society. This deficiency is particularly troubling because, unlike other areas of the law, in criminal law the nature of the loss the victim has suffered, often cannot be compensated in monetary terms.
I also reject the argument that the application of this distorted mentality of “she asked for it” to female victims is only prevalent among a certain ‘morally decayed’ minority on the margins of our society. The reality is that it has become an integral part of Pakistani culture and is not confined to any ethnicity or class: let us not forget that this incident took place in the elite locality of DHA, not in some farming village in a remote corner of Pakistan where honour killings have taken place before and where we can conveniently find the usual easy culprits to blame such as feudalism, extremism, poverty and lack of education. As the crime and the subsequent drama took place in the most ‘progressive’ and ‘educated’ area of the most ‘prosperous’ city in Pakistan, surely we must be doing something wrong?
While most of us would no doubt have already identified this bias in our social structure and question why I am highlighting something many already recognise as wrong, we need to realise there is significantly more at stake by demeaning female victims of crime than morality or justice. I could easily appeal to Islamic, secular or humanist philosophy or law, but there is a much more fundamental reason I want to raise this issue: Pakistan’s progress as a nation is directly co-related to the legal status it accords to its women. An abundance of literature from law, economics, and political science has shown time and time again that until a state begins creating a respectful place for its women by providing equality and a measure of respect, the chances of that state ‘growing out’ out of the third world are indeed, very slim. Bernard Lewis, perhaps one of the most famous historians of our time, has pointed out that one of the greatest causes of the decline of the once prosperous Muslim empire was the inferior legal and cultural status subsequent governments began to accord Muslim women. The word ‘began’ is used because for much of history, Muslims were the most progressive society in terms of their treatment of women – for example Muslim women had the right to legally divorce, trade, own and inherit property while European women did not. David Landes, a professor of economics at Harvard University has argued that the best barometer of an economy’s potential lies in the legal rights and status of its womenfolk: “To deny women is to deprive a country of labor and talent.” Similarly, Steven Fish, a Berkeley-based political scientist, has demonstrated that the biggest obstacle to achieving democracy in Muslim countries today is not the economy or education levels, but the subjugated status of women.
I could go on highlighting tons of research but I think the point is already made: no amount of combating terrorism, spending on education, healthcare or infrastructure-building can bring the kind of sustainable change that is needed for Pakistan to reclaim its lost hope, until and unless we strengthen the legal and economic rights for our women. What better way to start than by treating female victims of crimes as exactly that: victims, who deserve the utmost respect and protection of the criminal law and society. If we cannot reform this weakness in our societal structure, we can forget about Pakistan ever being able to fulfill its promise to its people.
Dawood Ahmed is a lawyer based in Chicago/London with particular interests in the economic analysis of law, Islamic and international law. He can be contacted via email on dawood.ahmed@mansfield.oxon.org
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
While I fully agree with the author that unless a society grants respect and equal status to women, our nation is set on a collision course with history. However being a resident of a “civilized” society since a young age, the western socirty has yet to accord them the cherished emancipated status. The daily cases of domestic abuse and victimization of women; their exploitation in the name of feminism, their humiliating use in sex trade and forced labour; all serve to lend credibility to my belief that unless the chauvinistic male ego and prowess is tempered by a fresh sense of basic decency, women will continue to be an object of abuse and terror.
In this war of a semblance of equality and noble ideals, the fight of decent and moral men, is as important as the one by brave and courageous women.
Rot spreads faster with authority approval. What was it Musharraf had said about Mukhtaran mai? I don’t remember his exact words, but it was something to the effect of women getting themselves raped if they want to go abroad.
Words that echo around in a community start getting a life of their own and becoming the community’s reality (perceived). You tell me every Pakistani with long hair hates western music, the first time I go to Pakistan, I will notice the people with long hair I meet. The statement is illogical, but chances are that I will still ask him about his tastes in music, because that starts becoming my reality.
Pakistan has decades of hate speech floating around. It sounds like claiming moral superiority and judging someone else for punishment are the highest ‘nasha’ for people.
Sad part is that no one challenges these attitudes at the point of origin. No one tells Musharraf that he has a duty toward the dignity of every Pakistani and to retract his words and demand an apology. No one asks mullahs to stay quite and let the government do is job.
Rape is a henious crime of mount Everest magnitude. It changes the victims and all aroud his or hers world for ever. The victims become living deads. This should never happen anywhere in the world. It should never be justified. Believe me, even if the person/persons who committed the crime is/are hanged, the emotional trauma never goes away.
Perhaps the apologists for the rapists should put 2 and 2 together and realise that when such heinous Criminals are allowed to go unpunished, then these criminals will rape more and more, and eventually they will become unchallengeable.
eventually you get a Karachi, where criminals roam the streets, and there is no justice for the poor and helpless.
No crime should ever go unpunished – specially a crime against the gentler gender.
Rape is a criminal attack and violation of a victim’s body. Any attempt to justify the attack (rape) on the basis of victim’s character, behavior, dress, religion or attitude does not justify the act under any logic, religion or culture. Non-consensual sexual act with wife or prostitute is rape also. It does not matter whether the victim was the wife or the prostitute. Let all of us keep our moral compass untarnished.
Tahir, You are one of the very few here who can think clearly. As long as we condone crime under any pretext. situation cannot improve. People who are giving justification for rape must ask themself a question
” Will they say these words if their mother or sister gets raped” ” What goes around comes around ” If you are a mute spectator when someone’s mother or sister is raped, same will happen when your sister or mother is being raped”
I find myslef more in agreement with kabeer, then with Bashir.
First of all, Culture has a lot more to do with it, then religion. Old culture demands that women who go to parties are at fault – simply because they enjoyed themselves. Women are not allowed to be out of the house, and yet religion does not demand such a thing.
In any case, whether it is religion or culture, ever culture takes the easy way out in these situations.
It is a lot easier to blame the women , then to prove the case against the dastarly men, who commetted the crime.
Perhaps this is the real problem – we find it to easy to blame the women (just because they were out enjoying themselves) then to find the evidence and commit the evil men.
Unfortunately every body is willing to be witness, when a case of blasphemy is concerned. But when it comes to murder, rape and target killing is concerned. There are no witnesses or proof is provided in the court. When 2 youg cousins were killed in the presence of lot of people and police, who were enjoying it and no body came to rescue. Today Gillani said that they catch the terrorists and the courts let them free. We need dedicated investigator to investigate the serious crimes. They should be separate from police. Because police gets bribes and are in no position to investigate.
Hmmm when we stop blaming the Ulema and start looking at our selfs I’m a practicing muslim, I think culture has much more to do with this then religion, firslty lets start taking responsibility for our selfes before we start blaimng others.
The people who hope, or think, things will ever change are just dreaming. Nothing can change till we are fully convinced that men and women are equal, except, of course, in terms of physiology. And, that cannot happen till we negate our holy books, or disregard the outdated material contained in them as secular and many Muslim societies have done around the world. And, that cannot happen as Islam was the plank on which Pakistan came in to being.
Of course there are certain external situations, though too disruptive and painful, that can change a society’s attitude, as happened to the holier and mightier than thou attitudes of Nazi Germany and Empirical Japan.
Nice thoughts but really if she was out late night in objectionable clothes and attented a boys party…. Every thing is objectionable here… So that Rape was bound to happen now or then…
You understand that women are attractive to men? It isn’t the clothes they are interested in. It is about opportunity. Rape isn’t so much a sexual crime as one of dominance. You could be on a nude beach and not get raped if the law and order is functioning, if the moral fabric of the society has values of humanity.
On another level, I understand what you are saying. Pakistan is not a safe place to take risks like that. It may not be the girl’s fault, but it was a risky choice, considering the prehistoric value systems in place. It doesn’t matter who the criminal is, when it is the girl footing the physical, emotional and social bill. That makes her careless about her safety, but not in the wrong.
I am too ashamed to say anything.
Our education and media has failed us.
Now same incidence in UK and Legislater very specifically blame Pakistani boys comprehended for Rape there.
Without openness of society these young men will never understand the hurt such women are put to for few moments of pleasure
Think how one feel if it happens to ones family member
I am ashamed of people like you.
Ignorance seems to be the prevailing thought process of Muslims. If your argument is bought, then anyone wearing jewelery and carrying money should be made a target for robbery. A crime is a crime and the victim no what, cannot be blamed. The mullahs and their followers are more than willing to cry out loud against repeal of an inhuman law of Blasphemy(are we still living in dark ages??) But crimes against women – not a word is spoken for justice. Justifying rape will only get you support from the religious right. No humanist will tolerate such crimes.
I am wondering if you (and the people with the same thought process) would have said the same thing about a male victim.
If your sister or mother coming home from a wedding party late at night dressed up in not day to day clothing. You think that rape is bound to happen.
Wow! I am amazed at your response. This attitude is exactly what the author is trying to point a finger at.
The only thing objectionable here is the fact that people are still thinking that it is the girls fault. Considering the norms and the culture of the country… maybe she shouldnt have been “out late night in objectionable clothes and attending a boys party” but that still gives no justification to the fact that she was Raped!!!
Why don’t we for once let the blame fall on the ones that are actually the criminals (the people who raped her), rather than the victim!
As for the rape that was “Bound to happen now or then”…. It shouldnt happen EVER, no matter how im appropraitely dressed or late at night the girl was out… How about we have enough faith in the people of our nation that instead of raping her, some one would actually make sure she gets home safe… ….
Inviting a rape, not dressed appropriately, moving about late at night are good reasons to attract criminal behaviors. If we take these arguments and try to apply to rape cases hapening cross the country 5 year old, mukhtarian mami and the list is a long one, they don’t fall in the same category. We should condemn such acts vs finding justifications.
We as a country are becoming non-tolerant of diversity and life styles, be it in views or beliefs just wonder if this what was taught to us by our religion ?
More people like you and Pakistan will never get out of its rut.
agreed with sana
Perpetrators should be taken into account they should be punished indeed severely punished so that the same could not be repeated with another women
Agreed.. Women in this country are just born to listen to different taunts, at homes, working places and everywhere, at every step. What we miss, above all, is RESPECT for women. Moving out alone is quite difficult now. Who is going to listen to us, if we raise our voices against it? It’s been years since people raise their voices but nothing changes. Though, it’s getting worse day by day..
Good article,
Its true that women’s status in society correlates well with progress economically and scientifically. it even correlates well with lifestyle and life expectancy. but you have to realise it works both ways: when all people are accorded equality of status, society progresses, and in a progressive society, all are accorded equality.
In a dictatorship or any other repressive society, the weak and marginalized suffer. when you have suffering of the weaker sections of society, it regresses, like a child who is sick suddenly starting to wet his bed.
If you want to get Pakistan out of this vicious circle of injustice and suffering you have to stop both.
lets see what you can do today: try to speak up for those who will not be heard even if they find the words. try to get someone a job. if you find a woman who needs to get legal help, give her APWA’s number. be just in your own dealings with others. talk about it. maybe others will listen.
if you have spare money: send tents to lower sindh … people are still flooded there.
Appratus of policy control using religion is always used by powerful men to control all weaker sections, be it women or labour class. Never in the history of the world has religious people in power treated the poor or the women with dignity. For eg., the catholic church in Europe did not treat women well.UNLESS THE WOMEN DEMAND EQUALITY WITH FULL FORCE, unless they refuse to let religion take them for granted THEY WOULD NEVER GET EQUALITY.
Agreed,Akshay.
THANK YOU!!! Finally someone who sees the light! I would add that our country will be degraded as long as our men fear and degrade our women. We desperately need to start working on eradicating the hypocrisy and double standards in our country when it comes to social life. There are so many other evils attendant on these that I could write an article on it.
Forget about big words like morality, religion and liberalism; we need to go way back and start with common decency and honesty. Sadly, a lot of us are not even capable of that.
Excellent.
Spot on Dawood. Could not have written it better!
beautifully put Dawood…unfortunately the mentality of most of the individuals of Pakistan clashes with the above mentioned statements. The situation further dampens as most women agree with it. The change that most of us seek cannot arise simply out of the blue. It needs to be altered from the start..like when a daughter is born instead of a son, in the upbringing of a son. etc. The open discriminationary treatment of a daughter in a home set a certain kind of view in the minds of the men in the house that the girl is in some way or the other ‘inferior’.
There are numerous atrocities against women and most go unheard. Islam and our culture are badly twisted and crimes against women are rapidly increasing. We need to raise our voice against it otherwise nothing will ever change.
Actually the true significance of Islam we can’t understand. There are four indicators to measure the true. 1. Absolute true 2.Scientific true 3.Hypothical true 4. Logical true
Law basically depends on logical true. Distribution of right between man and woman under any law may or mayn’t be ensure justice. Justice is a absolute thing. Islamic law is a absolute thing. Man is “double” the woman or Woman is” half” of the man isn’t true. If you are a female student you will get the half marks than a man. If you are a woman you eat half of the food than a man etc .Only in case of wealth distribution man will get “double” a woman .In respect of teacher ,all are teacher . Every student must respect their every teacher equally. But Lecturer in inferior to Assistant Prof.. Similarly Assistant Prof. is inferior to Associate Prof. And so on. Again I like to say that we aren’t capable enough to understand the true significance of Islam. We are creating misunderstanding about the Islamic Law about Gender.
Circular logic !
WHY should a woman get half in this day and age??..so many women are the sole supporters of their families, why should some male relative get most of the kitty?..for something he has not even earned??.. it is utterly ridiculous..and dont tell me ‘it is written’..it was written when times were different..
individuals,group,tribes & socities is the chronological order of evolutionery process of human beings. The spiritual needs of the above was/is fulfilled by religion. Both of these evolutionery processes were simultaneously progressing in search to attain a reasonably stable society which is based on principal of justice. As a muslim have we been able to create a just society? I dont think so.Has it ever been ever practiced? The answer is controversial. We need to revisit what has been communicated to us in the light of Quran only to derive the principles laid down in it & I don’t think the principle would be at fault, only the interperation will certainly be.
Religious scriptures didn’t articulate idea of God because they appeared true in their time and place. No. The ideas are true because Religion said them. Such is the logic. And Mr. B U Ahmed is caught in such wrap of religion. Such followers always attempt to transcend reality in order to fit religious doctrine, instead of transcending religious ideas in order to explain reality. Humans can never exist by any bounded rules or law in any society. More the law or any form of censor, more will be hypocrisy exist in the society.
I think we definitely need to bring Pakistani women upto speed with the rest of the world. And the victim of the rape should be provided justice and should not have to live in any kind of embarrassment or shame but the perpetrators life should be made a misery.
Going back to the state of women in our country, I think a lot of it has to do with the poverty and depravity in our country and the law of the jungle i.e. whoever is weak (physically, financially, contacts etc), gets stomped up on. Further more, the dwindling social values – thanks to the “dish culture” – act as patrol on fire. Unfortunately when we talk of improving the women’s condition (and I think women should have a greater say in this or atleast 50% on how their condition be improved) we only talk about addressing the first problem, nobody wants to deal with the decay of our social values, because that sounds too mulla and is a total ‘no-no’. But we can look at the west, women have got all the rights, still there are too many crimes against women (and for the inferiority complex ridden people, majority of them committed by the local whites). So if you are really sincere about solving the problem, you should talk about addressing both the issues.
It is people like you kashan, who will never let pakistan to be a secular state, or a decent place to live in. You are he soft version of the mullah. Imagine one of your family members is a victim, and you would then feel the pain.
Do you have a better solution Sandy??? I m waiting for you to write me down a single solution here that can bring this chaos to an end not only in Pakistan but also to those countries where women are not partially independent like ones in Pakistan because those countries seem to have more problems of sexual abusing against women then Pakistan..
Not just women, all the deprived people in pakistan, like Ahmadis, Hindus, Christians have to be given their due rights. For this to happen, Pakistan should become a secular democracy. For this to happen a revolution is needed. Only then you’ll see light at the end of the tunnel.
my friend watch out becoz tht revolution might also enter india from ur western border and it certainly wont be secular.
wow KrishnaK.. i thought you dont belong to this country otherwise you’d have known the ground facts.. i ve got many friends here who work with me study with me and they are Hindus and Christians and none have ever complained me for any religious racism or anything obstructing them to do whatever as their religion obliges them to do.. i m pretty surprised why are you wasting our time with such comments and as far as secular democracy is concerned, we have seen enough of that in India..
The merits of secular democracy over an Islamic one are highly debatable. What are secular ideals to you (pubbing, prostitution etc) are sins in this culture. The problem in today’s world is that everyone (including you) is trying to impose their culture onto the others.
Why exactly should someone let such groups thrive? Do you let cannibals operate freely in your country/society? (not that i am saying that the groups mentioned are cannibals, just drawing a parallel). Once people realise that the only way to make Pakistan a ‘pak’ country is by following the scriptures to the core, then everything will be allright on its own.
KrishnaK is talking about rights of deprived people. What makes you club Pubbing, Prostitution to secular ideas. Can you vouch that there are no extra-marital affairs or prostitution in Islamic lands. Nothing is above human dignity – not even religion.
Mr Chak, a secular democracy is one where people are given equal rights irrespective of their religion.And the government does’nt interfere with poeples’ religious belifs.Why are you bringing pubbing/prostitution into the picture??PLease do not club the same with being secular and insult somebody else’s culture!!!
Whether Pakistani people like Secular democracy or Sharia/Taliban Rule is certainly none of my business!!!But yes,as as woman I do feel for my Pakistani counterparts ,and sincerely hope that the rapists get severe punishment.
I am sorry but i have to disagree with your intrepretation of what a secular democracy brings.
Many secular countries around the world do not even give basic human rights to their citizens.
having said that i am not saying that Taliban style rule should ever be the norm, as nobody wants to become an afghanistan. For Pakistan where people are essentially conservative the norm lies somewhere e in between the openess of the U.S and the conservatisim of Saudi Arabia. A state like malaysia could be a good example. And please note that no where does it say that an Islamic state does not offer freedom of of religion, this is what most people dont get about the basics of an Islamic state is that it merly reflect a chioce by the Citizens to be ruled by a certain set of rules yet ensuring that these rules are not the basis of judging others who are free to follow thier own path.
How many secular democratic countries have you visited?(especially here the one you are referring to)Please go there ,see the situation and then only comment.People DO get basic rights irrespective of their religion.Yes some incidents had happened (8-10 yrs back not recently).Everybody is mature now and aware that such incidents will never be repeated.
PLease read my post again.NOWHERE have I said that an Islamic state does not offer freedom of of religion.I have not even said anything on minorities’ condition simply because I am unaware and will not jump on to conclusions just by reading media reports. Please do not misinterpret a post which was only condemning a rape incident.
Heck of a long way to go to the shores of enlightenment. Looking at the majority of our elected representatives in the legislatures in our unfortunate country, it is not going to happen any time soon.
Mullah ,Military and the Mob spells out the obstacles on the way to the desired goal.
Mullah could improve his education of the holy book and find out what “Azwage” mean in Arabic.
Military need to weigh up the options of employing women in the responsible technical positions. Only because of the size and scope of Military’s ability in progressive hands.
Mob: If they could remember their own personal feelings if treated the way they treat others.
Least said about the pen pushers of the press the better. Daily bread is their overriding purpose, whoever “pays the piper…”. Let conscience determine the way to go.
The lasting change never comes by tweaking one element in an orchestra, gentle changes in culture always take place with an enlightened prime mover. Where is that in Pakistan?
Start with the primary education and get Religious constraints from the curriculum. Let people choose their way out of the quagmire.
Shafiq
Nicely put Shafiq
no friend sovereignty belongs to Allah and not people.Allah chooses not people.
Being a Pakistani woman, let me tell you that it was and still is unfortunate being born female in this country..no matter what you do or who you are, at the end of the day you are a ‘female’ and by that definition, you are ‘inferior’ and not to be accorded that same respect as a male..and may I say that this state of affairs continues because our ulema are the biggest perpetrators of degradation of women, declaring them ‘half’ beings and trying to suppress their rights in the guise of religion..
The Ulema is simply talking about what has been divined. They don’t make something out of thin air, when it has been ordained, they are simply educating the people about what is to be followed. Stop blaming the Ulema, they only help you to become better followers. If people could read and follow on their own, the ulema would not be needed.
The lament of Anjum Hameed is the cry of all women, but it is more painful in some Islamic countries where their status is considered half that of men, and therefore divine license to treat them as trash. With all respect to Islam, its divine origin and wonderful tenets, it is not in sync with modern thinking and status of women. Many Islamic countries have brought in legislation to improve the status of women, including Pakistan … but it is the Ulema and Mullahs who by their political clout are trying to peg such reforms to 7th century thinking. If you want to live in a modern city then rural ways of living have to be modified. You don’t get streams and open spaces to take bath or defecate in a city. We and our faith must synchronise with the changing times. Science, politics and faith always need updating.
What is all this? I only know e-mailing nothing more.
Any way, I agree that these so-called Ulemaas are really dull-minded zelots. As pointed out in the last opinion, one does not search a tree outside his mohalla to answer the call of nature, as the prophet and people of that age did. Same attitude needs to be followed in our social life. Edicts of Quran and Hadeece need to be liberally interpreted, not in literal manner.
Salahuddin Mirza 31. 12. 10.
Admire your courage to speak out.
Talk to other women, one at a time, to instill the same courage in them. Talk to the males in your life i.e father, brothers, uncles, cousins, colleagues etc. Your writing shows that you have the convincing power. The desired change may not come in your life time, but you would have made a differenc.
“if you are not part of the solution, you ARE part of the problem”.Tell that to all those you can tell. This is humanity, this is patriotism, this is service to society and this is sincere IBADAT.
May God help you.
To disregard women and bar them from active participation in political, social, economic and cultural life would in fact be tantamount to depriving the entire population of every society of half its capability. The patriarchal culture and the discrimination against women, particularly in the Islamic countries, cannot continue for ever. Then Hudood Laws are icing on the cake for people obsessed with religion to degrade the women.
But +80% of Pak population think that more of Islam is the solution but you think less of religion is the solution. You are right.
Imtiaz, popularism can’t be truth. Human rights are protected not by law but by social and moral conscience of society. In the west, Christian natural law was undermined by the individualism of seventeenth century. Relationship between individual and god was replaced by the relationship between individual and individual as the foundation of social inquiry. This individualism becomes the basic characteristic of the subsequent liberal tradition.
I will quote here Dr. Ambedkar who stated while addressing the constituent assembly (November 25, 1949), ‘Political democracy can not last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy’ which means, a way of life which recognize liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.’
okay so you are saying that if the corrupt leaders and law-enforcers of any country by any means get failed to imply any particular set of laws with their true core, we should just throw those set in to trash can and should preach atheism… and also should PREACH this that we dont need any laws until we keep loving and hugging each others.. thank you Yayaver for one day you will save earthlings from Martians and start the era of star-track…
The problem with Islamic countries around the world is that the Ulema have been entrusted with too much power even right to interfere in the lives of common people . The rulers & Ulema ( all clergy ) have joined hands to keep public in control & uneducated in name of religion , every effort to provide equal rights to common man ( and woman ) has been torpedoed by them to keep themselves entrenched at the top . Women have been supressed as a form of bribery to their men so that they keep following the existing set . Time has come when unconditional equality to all ( 100% ) humans ( men & women ) be provided alongwith 100% compulsury education so that each & every human can get back the control of their own lives . I do not think that Islamic teachings are any barrier in this effort though the rulers & ulemas are .