CONCERTED EFFORTS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF SOCIETY REQUIRED TO “SAY NO TO GBV”

MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

Not a day seems to pass without new bone-chilling reports of inhumane violence and abuse perpetrated against women and children in Pakistan - against girls in particular. Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries.

The participants of training workshop on GBV

Worldwide, an estimated one in three women experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. While Gender-based violence (GBV) is not new and certainly not unique to Pakistan. The immediate and long-lasting consequences to the individual, family and society at large are far-reaching and ought to be taken more seriously. 

The health consequences of violence are enormous and include permanent disability, lingering psychological trauma, unwanted pregnancies and complications associated with forced or unsafe abortions. Exposure to, and fear of violence deprives women and girls of their rights - to education, health and decent livelihoods. Child marriage alone, which affects 59% of girls in Pakistan, is one of its worst forms.

The participants, majority of them were journalists, in a training workshop of ‘Reporting on Gender Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection and GBV cases involving children as accused/ victims’ said that access to justice still remains complicated, costly, and lengthy for women and the children. They noted that media can help change perceptions of gender-based violence, and end the culture of acceptance of such violence and the social stigma attached to the victims, however, country's media failed persistently to grasp the importance of the issue and recognise the role of women.This one-day training session was organized in a local hotel of Federal Capital by Group Development Pakistan in association with Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJAP). 

Myra Imran & Fouzia Rana conducting the training

Prominent journalists and rights activists Myra Imran and Fouzia Kulsoom Rana conducted the sessions while Sharafat Ali Chaudhary, a lawyer of IHC carried out orientation sessions to laws protecting children and women under PPC and Cyber Crime Act, and reporting under such laws on multimedia/ PowerPoint slides.

Both female journalists cum trainers, Myra Imran and Fouzia K. Rana shared the types of child rights violations, GBV, child protection, impact of insensitive media reporting putting huge responsibility on role of media.Earlier on, each participant after giving a quick introduction narrated a memorable tale of their childhood and its repercussions- majority of them told their elders reacted severely, that highlights the pressure of society for snubbing.

The participants of their views were that "Media should be much more conscientious in keeping the society accountable, and holding law enforcement agencies accountable for implementation of the already formed law."

Participants discussing the GBV & its repercussions

They said that GBV is multi-dimensional and eliminating it will require simultaneous action on different fronts to be effective. Some examples include- changing social norms that make communities indifferent to GBV. Prevention through sustained community awareness and engagement; an overhaul to the legal system that blames the victim through proper handling of victim cases with the police including proper recording in Police database system, referral to Court; accelerated and impartial Court cases, and punitive actions against perpetrators, etc.

The participants in the sessions came up with thought provoking ideas and comments, which reflected the fact that they are very much aware and sensitive regarding the issue of GBV prevalent in society. They believe that such violence starts from family and as such the family members need to be sensitized first. But the work has to start simultaneously at all levels in society they commented. 

Women do not require sympathy, but equal status. People have to learn to respect women. The topic of gender based violence has to be included in the curriculum. Both, girls and boys must receive 'Life-Skill Based Education' so that they can be empowered and develop themselves financially, one of the major reasons behind gender based violence.

Additionally, networks should be created to fight against such violence and this network should have branches at every corner of the country involving people from different age groups, caste, creed and religion. It was pointed out by a participant that violence against women cannot be stopped keeping the 'culture of violence' in various forms in the society.

A female journalist participant said that media can also inform people about the facilities available to get justice and recounted how media activism encouraged more women to speak up and report sexual harassment. She said one of the main reasons for gender-based and sexual violence was undervaluing the role of women in society and in economy.

She noted that the country's media failed persistently to grasp the importance of the issue and recognise the role of women. "Media should be much more conscientious in keeping the society accountable, and holding law enforcement agencies accountable for implementation of the law, she maintained.

Another participant said that only a few media houses complied with the guidelines and formed complaint committees. Media houses should educate themselves before proceeding to teach others, and be careful about the portrayal of an incident, victims and perpetrators of sexual violence, he said. News reports should include community experts' opinions on prevention of such crimes and also community responses to it, he said.

Fouzia Rana said political news always got priority over women's issues in male-dominated newsrooms. She stressed the need for sensitivity training for journalists, and suggested that more women should be there at policy-making level in media houses.

Aslam Lurka, a senior journalist said the concept of masculinity should be deconstructed. “Men should be taught to become human beings and not just men so that they can respect another human being,” he said. He said, "Sex education within limits could well be a part of our national curriculum so that a child must be aware initially about the good and bad touch". 

A veteran journalist Farah said "Many women withdraw cases because of the lengthy process and lack of evidence.” She said it was important to preserve evidence, and maintain forensic and DNA laboratories across the country. She also emphasized on investigative and follow-up reports.

A group photograph

The workshop concluded with suggestions to end GBV. The participants of their views that combating GBV is no easy task, a multifaceted response will be required, in the form of a national action plan with a dedicated budget. It will importantly also require a change in social norms to make violence against women and girls unacceptable.

They said change will have to start with our youngest. Only if children, adolescents and young people grow up with the necessary life skills that enable them to have respectful relationships and build a peaceful society without impunity for violence, we will succeed in eliminating GBV.

At the same time it will require continuous investments in girls and women - in their health, education, employment and safety in the homes, schools, work places and public spaces.

It is not enough to feel outraged by the harrowing atrocities against women, girls and children reported daily in both Urdu and English news Media. It is time for a concerted action so together we "Say NO to Gender-Based Violence".