25th November is celebrated as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women, designated by the United Nations General Assembly.
The main aim of celebrating this day is to create awareness and highlight the scale of true and hidden issues.
This date is chosen to commemorate the Mirabel sisters, three political activists Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961) ordered brutally assassinate in 1960.
This Occasion is mainly for governments, international and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) to raise public awareness of violence against women.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most horrific violations of human rights, which is increasing day by day in the whole world especially in Pakistan.
According to WHO’s global study in 2013 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, whereas countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong and China are facing 70 percent of sexual violence that is comparatively a lot more than other nations.
Women and girls of Pakistan are a victim of acid attacks, dowry cases, rape, domestic violence, forced marriages and nowadays a latest trend has started that is of head and eye brow shaving which is another abusive way of harassment.
Human rights groups documented thousands of cases of violence against women and girls across the country with a majority from the most populous province of Punjab. Cases included murders, rapes and incidents of domestic violence. This was likely only a fraction of all incidents given limited reporting of these abuses.
Acid attack has become one of the serious concerns in Pakistan which was highlighted by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, the Oscar winner.
Many (NGOs) are established at various locations of Pakistan where acid attacks are observed to be at the highest rate.
Bangladesh has its Acid Survivors Foundation which offers acid victims legal medical counseling and monetary assistance in rebuilding their lives.
According to doctors acidic attack damages skin tissues by burning the skin and the long term consequences of attacks includes blindness, as well as psychological and economic difficulties.
Precautions are taken on a serious note in Pakistan such as The Peshawar High Court banned the open sale of acid.
Sources have reported that last year in 2012, 150 acid attacks cases were registered in Pakistan out of which 30 were reported from KP’S Mardan District, and 50 were registered from Balochistan. But still only 1/3 cases of women violence are on official records.
According to Acid Survivors Foundation, almost 45 percent of the acid attacks are due to family feuds while 17 percent are linked to refusals of marriage proposals.
Various activities are observed around the world to draw attention to the need for continuing action to eliminate violence against women.
Projects are appreciated to help women and children to escape from the violent environment. Campaigns are promoted to educate people about the consequences of violence against women.
It is an increasing culture that feminist activist group organize rallies, communal meals, fundraising activities and present research on violence against women in their own communities, which is a helping hand to the future generation.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is to create awareness and to put a full stop to misery, abuse, violence, racism, and gender discrimination.
This day is a combined effort to unite together and join hands against women’s violence.
