In a tragic incident in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a husband brutally assaulted his wife, severing her finger and injuring her nose, following a domestic dispute. The wife’s brothers, in retaliation, attacked the husband, leaving him injured as well.
The victim, identified as Tauheeda Bibi, reported to the Nissata police station that on Tuesday, her husband, Khadim Hussain, became enraged when she refused to stop helping his mother with household chores. A heated argument ensued, during which Khadim attacked her with a sharp object, resulting in the severing of her thumb.
According to Tauheeda's brother, Zarif Khan, the injuries sustained by his sister were not limited to her thumb; she also suffered severe wounds to her head and body. Tauheeda is currently receiving treatment at LRH Peshawar.
Meanwhile, Nissata police have registered a case against Khadim Hussain under Section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code, but he remains at large. Police sources revealed that Khadim was released from jail two months ago after being charged with murder under Section 302, linked to the killing of two individuals during a robbery.
According to a report released last month by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 32% of women in Pakistan experience physical violence annually, and 40% of married women face domestic abuse at some point in their lives.
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Women’s rights activists highlight that while several laws exist in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to combat violence against women, many victims still struggle to access justice and face numerous challenges.
Warda Mazhar, a prominent women’s rights activist in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, condemned the incident, noting that a woman’s minor mistake often becomes a matter of male ego, leading to extreme violence that can result in death or lifelong disability.
"This is not just a problem in Pakistan or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; it’s a global issue," Warda Mazhar stated. "Women’s rights violations are widespread, and although we talk about the problems, we fail to implement solutions effectively."
She added, "Even when the government, activists, and political leaders discuss these issues, there’s always someone who starts opposing the conversation, often leading negative campaigns. This is a significant problem, and it hinders progress."
Mazhar further pointed out that cases of violence against women are frequently suppressed under the guise of ‘honor’ or ‘cultural traditions,’ and even when reported, victims face legal hurdles and societal pressure to withdraw their complaints.
Activists argue that the increase in violence against women is primarily due to men’s economic struggles, lack of awareness of women’s rights, weak FIR registrations and investigations, judicial issues, and the failure to enforce existing laws.
According to data released by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police on 11 August, 8,299 incidents of violence against women were reported in the province over the past five years, with only 168 perpetrators being convicted.
Similarly, a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that violence against women and girls in Pakistan has become a serious issue, with an estimated 1,000 women being killed annually in the country.
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