Rape allegations are commonly no longer taken severely in Pakistan, with some people even blaming the victim for having a political intent. at the identical time, activists say that "false accusations" can harm local actions.
In 2005, then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf claimed that rape accusations had been a straightforward solution to make money.
"You should consider the environment in Pakistan... This has turn into a cash-making concern. a lot of people say if you need to go overseas and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped," Musharraf informed the Washington publish in an obvious reference to the rape case of Mukhtaran Mai.
Mai, an illiterate lady, was gang-raped in June 2002 on orders of a "panchayat" (village council) as "punishment" for her younger brother's alleged illicit members of the family with a woman from a rival tribe. The rape made overseas headlines, with girls's rights groups worrying justice for Mai and punishment for the rapists.
local and overseas rights businesses slammed Musharraf's statement and demanded an apology. They accused him of trivializing a heinous crime. Musharraf justified his remarks by using announcing he had handiest expressed a often held opinion instead of his own.
Activists say rape allegations are seldom taken seriously within the Muslim-majority South Asian country, with some individuals accusing "immoral ladies" of "deserving" the assault. it's additionally normal for individuals to bring the accuser's historical past and political affiliation into the rape discussion.
In 2017, Ayesha Gulalai, a former member of the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, accused the latest Pakistani leading Minister Imran Khan of sexual harassment. She alleged that Khan despatched her inappropriate text messages in 2013. Khan's birthday party denied these allegations and PTI laborers unleashed a social media crusade against Gulalai, accusing her of getting a "political agenda" to malign their chief.
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Sexual harassment is a 'crime'
In Pakistan, the phrases "agenda" and "character" are sometimes used to discredit girls who talk out in opposition t sexual harassment. "Why is the lady speaking about harassment and rape after such a long time?" is one more excuse that is used to undermine the severity of allegations.
ladies's rights activists say that allegations of sexual assault should be taken severely regardless of their timing and the surrounding political controversy.
"There is no 'correct' or 'incorrect' technique to handle sexual harassment or rape allegations. they're crimes under the law. facts is required to prove allegations, no matter when the alleged crime passed off. Political concerns ought to no longer intrude with the rule of thumb of legislations," Tahira Abdullah, a veteran ladies's rights activist, informed DW.
"Sexual harassment is a crime and it has to be addressed below Pakistani legislations," she added.
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After the core-left Pakistan individuals's birthday celebration (PPP) got here to power in 2008, it added a number of legal guidelines to fight sexual harassment and violence against women. however, legal specialists say the legal guidelines use doubtful terminology to outline sexual crimes.
Osama Malik, a crook law skilled, is of the view that judges, police officials and investigation businesses aren't competently trained to deal with sexual harassment situations.
"ladies proceed to suppose reluctant about reporting harassment," Malik informed DW.
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harm to local movements
Some rights activists say that false rape allegations may also harm the native ladies's rights movements.
"If a girl says she has been sexually stressed, she need to be taken seriously. on the equal time, she should show her allegations in the court docket of legislation. no person is allowed to misuse legislation. If the allegations are proved within the courtroom, the perpetrator must be punished," Farzana Bari, an Islamabad-based ladies's rights activist, told DW.
"If some women beginning misusing sexual harassment legal guidelines for political good points, it'll damage the ladies's rights movements," Bari delivered. "it will at last hurt girls who're in actuality harassed and are the actual victims. They are usually not taken severely then."
Pakistan ranks because the sixth most dangerous nation in the world for ladies, with circumstances of sexual crimes and home violence abruptly on the upward push. Activists blame society's patriarchal attitudes for the problem.
study greater: Pakistan: Man sentenced to loss of life for rape, homicide of 7-year-old
in the past few years, the #MeToo flow has taken cling in Pakistan, with many ladies taking to the streets to demand their rights.
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