Acid Test For Being Women
By Saleem Khan • Jul 18th, 2008 • Category: Misc, Worth A Second Look • 9 Comments •Media reports from different parts of the country over the past few years suggest that the acid attack phenomenon is becoming increasingly common and widespread, with neither class nor caste nor creed nor any other variable serving as protective barriers, and with triggers ranging from unrequited love and marital discord (often over trivial matters) through family feuds and property disputes to enforcement of social diktats of various kinds.
Acid burns rarely kill but result in serious disfigurement and suffering which can confine women to their homes, leading to social isolation and depression. Allegations are made and the crime is committed. The acid is cheap and readily available to all. Women in Pakistan face biases in the criminal justice system and police are reluctant to deal with the so called ‘family matters’. Only a small percentage of the cases go to trial, bringing the criminals to justice, while the majority are settled out of court after a substantial bribe is paid. Illiteracy is commonplace amongst women in the poor rural areas of the country, poverty and a conservative Islamic culture play a strong role in the subordinate position of the female.
Let me share few ‘acid test for being women‘ cases with you, out of hundreds.
Mumtaz Mai, 38, who was burned 5 years ago, holds her 8th child, 9-day-old Fatima in Basti Dollay Wali village, Punjab, Pakistan. Mumtaz was attacked in the middle of the night with acid by an unknown criminal. ‘I have my family but lost my beauty’ she says. Like many women living in the villages Mumtaz was a farmer working in the fields.
Saeeda Bukhsh, 30, was burned over 35% of her body while she was sleeping in the courtyard of her home. The day before, she had rejected the sexual advances of a local man in the village. She has 3 children. So far the man has bribed the police with a large enough sum that he has remained free.
Sabra Sultana, 28, a victim of acid violence in Pakistan. Sabra was burned at the age of 15, a child bride married off to an older man who later was discontent with the relationship and Sabra was attacked because of lack of dowry. ‘My face was burned, not my heart. I try to stand up like a firm wall but there are people who want to break down that wall.’
Haleema Abdul-Ghafar, 36, poses after surgery with her daughter, Kausar, 8, who are both victims of acid violence. Haleema is from a small village in the province of Muzafir Gharh. She and her daughter were attacked with acid thrown on them 8 years ago while they slept. ‘I have gone through so much pain and the criminal was never caught’ she said.
Iram Saeed, 29, was burned 10 years ago, completely lost her left eye and has had at least 25 operations. Iram was attacked with acid thrown on her over an argument relating to a marriage she had rejected. Burned when she was just 19 years of age she says, ‘It was very difficult for me to digest. I have been fighting with myself but I must go on. No matter what punishment the criminal gets it is no compensation for me.’
Saira Liaqat, 22, a victim of acid violence who was burned 4 years ago. Saira is from Lahore and was attacked with acid thrown on her over an argument relating to an arranged marriage. Her soon to be sister-in-law convinced the brother that she was not a suitable wife after the family couldn’t afford the money to carry out the pre-marriage ceremony.
So far, there is little evidence of a decline in the rate of acid attacks on women. Due to inefficiencies in the police system, perpetrators are often able to escape, which encourages others to carry out acts of violence using acid. Across the country, hundreds of victims of such attacks still nurse their scars – both physical and mental.
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That reminds me of Amna’s post:
http://www.pakspectator.com/acid-throwing-on-girls-and-boys-in-pakistan/
Much needed post.
Saleem Khan, first ‘Behind the closed doors’ then ‘STOP violence against women’ and now this ‘Acid Test for Being Women’. (You might want to rename it as “ACID TEST FOR BEING PAKISTANI” - for we inflict such wounds and we tolerate such barbarism)
Man! How to say it, you have lot of guts! It is not easy to stand up in public and register your disapproval and condemn such evils and barbarism in our society.
Good! you showed us the pictures of some of the victims; it might prick our conscience and, otherwise, self satisfied beings. The mutilation and disfigurement of these poor women is intolerable and nauseating. It has given me stifling sensation in my throat. Sir, this is our true picture; it shows our true face as people, and it shows the true stage of our “civilization”, see how civilized people / nation we are. These scars are not remnants of any wounds inflicted by any aliens any foreigners and perceived enemies of ours. These are very original, home made, examples of what we do and allow to happen to our own women. And we take the liberty of criticizing other folks. Shame on us!
God that’s so horrific. Why is acid so easily available in Pakistan?
Shaz, what is more horrifying, easy availability of acid in Pakistan or our tendency to use it as weapon of hatred against our women folk?
shaz Says: July 18th, 2008 “It’s great to see people picking up the on the sad state of women’s affairs in Pakistan.
Honor killing (societal accepted murder) is the worst form of crime against women. Women killed in cold blood for inconsequential things, while their killers are feted as the defenders of family honor and religion. These men are rarely punished. Egoistical under educated overbearing men who believe because a fluke of biology, women are chattel. The statistics of crime against women is just further proof the Pakistani Islamic state is just a mockery in the name of god.”
Very well said ! Keep it up.
Dear Aftab Bhai,
first thanks for your appreciation. I don’t know how to portray my inner feelings for helpless human beings. I tried first to convince my friends, relatives, colleagues to do some thing for people who want our help but I found only laughter in return. We can not change people attitude in a minute but I’m simply trying to show reality of our country and people living here.
I showed few pictures in this post, just to provide proof of such cases because people normally ignores to even read such articles and studies. They only want to hear one thing i.e. Every thing is good. but reality is 100% opposite. We must have to address these kind of issues for awareness in society. but Government role is also very important. Banning Acid for sale is not as difficult. In most of cases, women buys Acid for toilet cleaning but same is later used on them. Women uses sharp pointed knives but same is used to kill them. The awareness campaign through media can alert women that they should not but such items for household. It will surely stop such crimes up to some extent. Medical Stores and Labs are other basic roots of spreading such crimes. They sells their products with prescription. Like sleeping pills, acids, alkaline, chloroform, rats killing pills and lot more. These all things are playing pivotal role in spreading crimes and allowing criminals to uses cheap things for doing it.
These all issues don’t need any kind of government financial assistance. No “ROTI, KAPRA AUR MAKKAN” is required for implementing it. It can be done by one sincere effort. Who will do it????
Saleem Sahib, you are absolutely right that our, citizens, sincere efforts in bringing awareness of such crimes can do much more than government. In my opinion, the problem is not really the easy availabolity of acid, but it is our mind set. It is difficult for me to imagine mutilating a ‘beloved’s’ face even if she once was and is no more.
Please, do not let people’s laughter discourage you; remember people also laughed and ridiculed all the saints, prophets and reformers before you. You must be guided by the force of your conviction; yours is a great cause. I envy you for purity and sincerety of your thoughts and efforts. You may count me as one of your supporters and fans. God speed!
Aurat Foundation launched a report in a seminar in Islamabad that said that there was a sharp increase in incidents of aggression against women during the last three months. This observation was based on data collected from different sources, including the media, police stations, hospitals and state-run shelter homes. The report also underlines an alarming increase in suicides. It said that in the first quarter of the year, 66 women committed suicide while in the second quarter, this figure rose to 126. Rape cases also increased in the second quarter – 107 against 60 in the first quarter.