Pakistani women victims of 'honor' |
Acid attacks, kerosene burnings not uncommon as crisis widens |
| http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/08/pakistani-women-victims-of-honor/?page=1 |
| Katie Falkenberg |
| The Washington Times |
| Sunday June 8, 2008 |
|
"Gender based violence
and horrific examples
like honor-killing are
common in too many
societies that still
accept discrimination,
exploitation and
violence against women,"
said Andrea Bottner, the
director of the Office
of International Women's
Issues at the U.S.
Department of State. "In
too many parts of the
world, women still do
not have full protection
under the law or equal
access to justice. This
is unacceptable."
|
| Shahnaz Bhukari, founder of the Progressive Women's Association (PWA) that provides help to Mrs. Bibi and other abused women, thinks the lack of attention is a result of Pakistan's unstable government. |
|
Women in Pakistan in
some ways are treated as
second-class citizens,
particularly in the
rural areas where many
of these crimes occur.
Access to education is
limited, especially in
poverty-stricken rural
areas. Work
opportunities are scarce
outside of cities. Women
often are expected to
stay home to care for
the family while the man
works. And, the legal
system provides them
little protection.
|
| "The violence against women in Pakistan does have a religious covering. Though our religion is peaceful and gives equal rights to women in the Koran, the traditions and customs of our society, unfortunately, give women a weak place in society," Ms. Bhukari said. |
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