Slide 1

Public Policy against Domestic violence against Women

1Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led todomination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women...

Violence in the domestic sphere is usually perpetrated by males who are, or who have been, in positions of trust and intimacy and power husbands, boyfriends, fathers, fathers-in-law, stepfathers, brothers, uncles, sons, or other relatives. Domestic violence is in most cases violence perpetrated by men against women. Women can alsobe violent, but their actions account for a small percentage of domestic violence.

3Types of domestic abusesPhysical abuse hitting; choking; slapping; burning; shoving; using a weaponphysically restraining; intentional interference with basic needs (e.g. food, medicine, sleep) Isolation: Restricting Freedom - controlling contacts with friends and family, access to information and participation in groups or organizationslocking up in a room / restricting mobility; monitoring telephone calls Acid throwing

Constantly criticizing, ridiculing (self, family, friends, past)Trying to humiliate or degrade; lying; undermining self- esteem Stalking / Harassing Behavior Turning up at workplace or houseRepeated phone calls or mail to victim and/or family, friends, colleagues Threats & Intimidation - threatening to harm partner, self or others (children, family, friends, pets); threatening to make

Psychological & Emotional Abuse

Economic Abuse controlling or stealing money fostering dependencymaking financial decisions without asking or telling partner

Sexual Abuse/Harassment

CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Genderspecific socializationCultural definitions of appropriate sex roles Expectations of roles within relationshipsBelief in the inherent superiority of malesValues that give men proprietary rights over women and girlsNotion of the family as the private sphere and under male controlCustoms of marriage (bride price/dowry)Acceptability of violence as a means to resolve conflict

CulturalCultural practices affecting the health and lives of women

Dowry-related violence Acid attacksKilling in the name of honor: Early marriages

Economic causes Womens economic dependence on men Limited access to cash and credit Discriminatory laws regarding inheritance, property rightscommunal landsmaintenance after divorce or widowhood Limited access to employment in formal and informal sectors Limited access to education and training for women

Legal causesLesser legal status of women either by written law and/or by practice Laws regarding divorce, child custody, maintenance and inheritance Legal definitions of rape and domestic abuse Low levels of legal literacy among women Insensitive treatment by police and judiciary

Health Consequencesof Violence Against WomenNon-FATAL OUTCOMESPhysical health outcomes:

Injury Gynecological problems Headaches Permanent disabilities Asthma Self-injurious behaviorsMental health outcomes: Depression Fear Anxiety Low self-esteem Sexual dysfunction Eating problems Obsessive-compulsive disorder Post traumatic stress disorder

FATAL OUTCOMES

Suicide

Homicide

Maternal mortality

Possible solutionsTo solve this public issue following institutes can and are playing there part Acid Survivors Foundation in Pakistan (ASF-P)Aurat Foundation Dar ul Amaan National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW)Civil society officers CSOsReligious scholars Best option Government should beProviding proper legislationProviding protection and counseling till verdict has not been given to the responsibleKeeping a strict check over the delivery of justice and implementation of the lawsDisplaying examples which discourages such unethical and inhuman acts in future

Stakeholders NGOs International human rights organizations Judiciary Police department Legislative bodyVictims of domestic violencePerpetratorFamilies of both perpetrator and victimsHealth officials and institutes

Policy Decision Government should be responsible to provide protection, health care, place to live, counseling, prosecutor and fulfill the basic needs of food and mobility till the verdict is not given to the perpetrator according the proper legislation and flawless implementation and should ensure the perpetrator should not set free on the grounds of less or no evidence against him. Government should make alliances with other organization who are already working in this regard as to foster the action but should make the accountable and keep strong check on their activities. Government should not completely rely of NGOs and International Organizations as they are not solely to take care of public issues and sometimes they also miss manage the public issue as in the case of SMILE AGAIN , they played with the emotions of people and raised unknown able amount of money and ran away

ContinuedGovernment should set up more health units in every tehsil which are easily accessible and can keep the identity any victim who has approaches HUs secret from the perpetratorGovernment should play important role in education providence regarding equality of genders and respect of women. Like it is playing role in sexual education.

Effects This decision will definitelyEffect NGOs and International Human Rights Foundation operating in Pakistan and fill force them to work fairly Effect the families of victims as they may then support the victims if they know the fair justice prevails Effect the families of perpetrators as the will now fear to support any wrongdoings Strong check and balance will surely improve the performance of judiciary and police department as they will avoid any wrongdoings like bribery if they know that they will surely set accountable Effect Health officials like surgeons in a way they will realize that society needs them and its their job to provide their services voluntarily Recommendations for Policy Makers and Government officersViolence against women is perpetrated when legislation, law enforcement and judicial systems condone or do not recognize domestic violence as a crime.

Recommendations for Policy makersDiscriminatory laws should be abolished and effective legislation be enacted because in presence of discriminatory laws violence against women cannot be combated effectively.There is an immediate need for enactment of law to prevent Domestic Violence.It is an established fact that adverse sufferers of poverty are women. Women have limited access to health, education and have no social standing even in their respective social milieu. Some steps have been taken by the government for the socio-economic uplift of the women but more measures need to be taken in this regard by bringing the informal sector of employment within the preview of labour laws and providing effective social safety net where needed.Provide support for education in the fundamental rights and empowerment of women and girls by taking measures for free and compulsory education and making schools in areas easily accessible for themPrograms and policies aimed at improving the economic independence of women should be framed and implemented in all provinces of the country;

Rcommendations to Government officers and JudiciaryCreate one window facilities which include provision of medical doctor, police officer, lawyer, psychologists and temporary homes.Delayed trials and prolonged litigations seriously harm the justice system. A victim seeking fair trail faces innumerable hurdle like delays, perjury, and non availability of witnesses etc. The Investigation Authorities and the forensic laboratories need to be equipped with the technology needed for investigation.Take measures to combat impunity with regard to violence against women, in particular by closely monitoring all case proceedings relating to VAW.