Protest against violence against women

KARACHI: Condemning the murder and beheading of young woman Noor Mukadam in the heart of the federal capital, participants of a protest in Karachi on Sunday said incidents of violent crimes against women with impunity had been increasing in the country.

The protesters called for the provision of speedy justice to all the victims of violence against women in the country and demanded safety for women.

The demonstration was held by the Women Action Forum Karachi along with other women rights initiatives, including the Women Democratic Front, Tehreek-e-Niswan, Sindu Vas Foundation and Raaji Baloch Women Forum, outside the Karachi Press Club. A large number of women, including noted rights activists Sheema Kermani, Mahnaz Rahman, Anis Haroon and Uzma Noorani, attended the protest.

The organisers also held a vigil in memory of the female victims of violence.

Protesters held placards inscribed with slogans such as “Let us breathe” and “Protect your daughters, educate your sons.”

The participants demanded that the government take all steps to ensure justice to the victim’s family and stringent measures be put in place to ensure that Zahir Jaffer, the accused nominated in the FIR, was not allowed to leave the county.

They lamented that violence against women was widespread in Pakistan and existed in various forms, be it domestic violence and abuse, sexual abuse and harassment, acid attacks and honour killings.

“Every day we hear news that a woman has been shot or hacked, strangled or suffocated, poisoned or burnt, hanged or buried alive in the country,” said a participant.

A separate protest was also organised against the killing of Noor by members of the Kokani community in Karachi.