• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Login/ Register
  • Editorial Team
  • Get Involved

Exeposé Online

Making the headlines since 1987

Exeposé Online
  • Home
  • News
      • Local
      • COVID-19
      • University News
  • Comment
  • Features
      • National
      • Worldwide
      • Politics
      • Interviews
  • Science
      • News
      • Lite Science
      • Common Misconceptions
      • Environment
      • Health
      • Technology
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
      • Fashion and Beauty
      • Features
      • Food
      • Wellbeing
      • Sustainability
  • Music
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Single Reviews
  • Screen
      • Reviews
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Festivals and Awards
  • Arts + Lit
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Reviews
      • Creative Writing
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
  • Music
  • Screen
  • Arts + Lit
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
Home / Amplify

Men’s violence against women in Pakistan: will the narrative ever change?

Men’s violence against women in Pakistan: will the narrative ever change?

Poster for Pakistan's 2019 Aurat March
Poster for Pakistan’s 2019 Aurat March

Aug 13, 2021 – by Lina Idrees

Lina Idrees reflects on the recent spotlighted cases of gender-based violence in Pakistan and its enduring narrative which has preserved a culture of impunity.

TW: sexual violence, rape

Over the last few weeks, protests erupted in Pakistan with individuals demanding justice for the recent murders of Noor Mukadam, Saima Ali, and Quratulain. In a country where femicide is as widespread as it is devastatingly commonplace, another string of women’s names turned into hashtags on my Twitter and Instagram feeds came as no surprise. Men’s violence against women is not only terribly normalised but its enduring narrative pushed by the torchbearers of our country has preserved a culture of impunity.

Men’s violence against women is not only terribly normalised but its enduring narrative pushed by the torchbearers of our country has preserved a culture of impunity.

Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed ‘obscenity’ and the lack of ‘pardah’ (veiling) for the rise of sexual violence in Pakistan during a Q&A with the public earlier this year. He recently attempted to clarify these statements by asserting the victim is never to blame, but the head of government continued to link sexual violence to ‘temptation’. Maintaining that it is the duty of women to reduce temptation is not only false, it is detrimental as it upholds the notion that women are culpable and men who commit acts of sexual violence are simply acting on their impulses.

How and why has this culture of impunity become the norm for us in Pakistan?

“The epidemic of sexual crimes and violence against women in Pakistan is a silent epidemic. No one sees it. No one is talking about it.”

Tahira Abdullah

In response to the high-profile gang-rape case of Mukhtaran Mai in 2002, former President Pervez Musharraf called rape in Pakistan a ‘money-making concern’ and told the Washington Post that rape was a ‘curse’ that was ‘everywhere in the world’. Almost two decades later our Prime Minister used the same words when asked about the rise in sex crimes in Pakistan. He referred to the issue as some of the ‘odd cases’ which happen ‘everywhere in the world’. Although our leaders do condemn the horrifying reality of the immeasurable cases of gendered violence, it is simply not enough. They consequently ignore the institutional problems in Pakistan which have bred systems that enable men to commit acts of violence against women with impunity. This cannot be the standard for the leaders of a country where over 1,000 women are murdered in the name of ‘honour’ each year.

Although our leaders do condemn the horrifying reality of the immeasurable cases of gendered violence, it is simply not enough.

I recently watched Dr. Jackson Katz’s viral Ted Talk about language within the current discourse of gender-based violence and was absolutely blown away by his candid speech. What started off as a simple grammatical error translated into an entire ‘paradigm shift’ – one which urgently needs to be addressed. How we talk about violence against women – even in a grammatical sense – is critical to bringing males into discussions of gender-based violence. In a conversation with Jameela Jamil, Dr. Katz explains that language structures thought and people understand the world through their interpretation and narration of the world. What he eloquently puts forward is that the current way in which we talk about the subject of gender-based violence is keeping us in an unproductive framework – one which leaves males out of the conversation entirely.

Males are absent from our language in the way we discuss and therefore think about the nature of gendered violence. What Dr. Katz puts forward is that it is impossible to allude to accountability if the language we use is passive because the ‘perpetrators’ are almost never implicated and therefore almost never held accountable.

In a similar vein, our leaders use words that deflect blame and responsibility of perpetrators which inevitably extends to political and state institutions. It is manifested in the mindset that believes the knee-jerk response of capital punishment is an appropriate form of ‘justice’ for heinous sex crimes. The language used by authorities in response to victims of sexual assault contributes to the stigma of reporting cases of rape and sexual assault due to fear of retribution and shame. The language used by members of our government like Imran Khan and members of our police force like Umer Sheikh has the effect of maintaining a harmful narrative of sexual and gender-based violence which has preserved a culture of impunity and continues to legitimise systems that enable perpetrators.

Until we achieve a shift in this narrative we must continue to support movements like the Aurat March whose organisers and participants are a symbol of resistance and represent a change in Pakistan’s social paradigm. NGOs like War Against Rape whose members hold workshops with stakeholders in the criminal justice system to educate them on the special needs of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Artists like Misha Japanwala whose work serves as a strong and necessary reminder of women’s bodily autonomy and addresses issues such as domestic violence and honour killings in Pakistan. Lawyers like Tahera Hasan, whose boundless work includes providing women with appropriate healthcare and enables communities through various medical camps in order to make informed decisions regarding health, family planning, and childbirth.

Revolutionary change in Pakistan requires the modification of government policies, laws, and education systems. To the same extent, it requires a change in mindset to instigate institutional change across Pakistan’s political, legal, and social landscape.

Revolutionary change in Pakistan requires the modification of government policies, laws, and education systems. To the same extent, it requires a change in mindset to instigate institutional change across Pakistan’s political, legal, and social landscape. A change in the way our leaders respond to cases of sexual and gender-based violence may shift the narrative from complete indifference and acceptability towards one which prioritises reform and reimagines justice to make a positive impact on the lives of women in Pakistan.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Aug 13, 2021 By Lina Idrees Filed Under: Amplify, Amplify Narratives, Amplify Features, Amplify News, Editors' Picks Tagged With: language, gender, narrative, pakistan, femicide, gender-based violence, impunity

Reader Interactions

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

exepose

The official Instagram account for Exeposé, the University of Exeter's independent student newspaper.
Old issues here: issuu.com/exeposeexeter

✨XMedia Christmas Ball✨ A huge thank you to e ✨XMedia Christmas Ball✨

A huge thank you to everyone who came to the ball, to Big Band for putting on an amazing performance, the Rougemont Hotel for hosting us and Ella Gant for capturing the night with these lovely photos!
🎉 Print Issue 726 is out on campus! 🎉 Our f 🎉 Print Issue 726 is out on campus! 🎉

Our front page covers the University's failure to uphold Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) as evidence for longer-term mitigation and student charity work being halted by the Guild's delay in updating their DBS policy. 

Inside we have an exclusive interview with Bella Enoizi, VP Education, Features analyses the outcome of the Kyle Rittenhouse case, Comment argues for and against the abolition of private schools, and Tech looks at cryptocurrency scams. Science also reveals how sleeping earlier may lower your risk of heart disease while Sport reviews Fight Night.

Over on our Exhibit pages, Lifestyle explores Christmas holiday traditions around the globe and evaluates the Exeter Christmas Market, Arts and Lit writers recommend their favourite non-fiction books, Music investigates Adele's comeback in the music industry and Screen discusses Taylor Swift's All Too Well: The Short Film.

#Exepose #UniversityofExeter #StudentMedia #StudentNewspaper #ILPs #disability #mitigation #DBS #ESV #STAR #mentalhealth #privateschools #ExeterChristmasMarket #AllTooWell #TaylorSwift #Adele30 #FightNight #Christmasfilms #PrintIssue
⌚Timings for the XMedia Ball ⌚ Although the ⌚Timings for the XMedia Ball ⌚ 

Although the publicised start is 7pm, we will be at the Rougemont Hotel from 6pm so feel free to arrive at that time. 

We would also appreciate if everyone could do a Lateral Flow Test before coming considering the new COVID variant.

🎄 6pm-7pm: Arrive, enjoy the hotel’s happy hour and your free cocktail, and have some photos taken! The photographer will arrive at 6:30pm, but you're welcome to take your own pics before then.

🎄 7:30pm: Dinner is served

🎄 9:30pm: A performance from Big Band

🎄 10:30pm-12am: Music and dancing!
📢 Print Issue 725 is out on campus and online! 📢 Print Issue 725 is out on campus and online!

Our front page reports on student Meningitis cases in Exeter and the Exeter University Rugby and Football Club's self-described 'Hymn Sheet' which contains parody-style songs some students have labelled sexist and classist.

Inside we have an interview with AU President Katy Dalglish, for and against Comment articles on landlords, and our first ever Satire pieces (anyone else think Cardiac Hill should be used as a ski venue?)! Science also discusses the link between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and mental health and Sport covers the Movember varsity basketball match between Exeter and Plymouth University, which raised £2048.

Over on our Exhibit pages, Lifestyle explores the toxic side of hustle culture, Music speaks to Pale Wave's frontwoman, Heather Baron-Gracie and Screen writers share their favourite Wes Anderson films.

https://issuu.com/exeposeexeter

#Exepose #UniversityofExeter #StudentMedia #StudentNewspaper #HymnSheet #EURFC #classism #sexism #landlords #Satire #CardiacHill #HustleCulture #WesAnderson #PaleWaves #PrintIssue
Tickets for the XMedia Christmas Masquerade Ball a Tickets for the XMedia Christmas Masquerade Ball at the Rougemont Hotel on Sunday 5th December (7pm) are now available! Please visit the Exeter Guild website (linked in story/info highlight) to buy.

Members Price: £28
Non-members Price: £33

Please note, we only have 45 tickets for Exeposé members so get them as soon as you can!

Any questions, feel free to DM us or comment below.

https://www.exeterguild.org/events/8281/41465/
🎄 Masque up, dress up and turn up to XMedia's C 🎄 Masque up, dress up and turn up to XMedia's Christmas Masquerade Ball! 🎄

We've joined forces with XpressionFM, Razz Magazine and XTV to bring you the event of the year.

When:
Sunday 5th December, 7pm 🎊

Where:
Rougemont Hotel, Devonshire Suite 🏨

Price (includes a 3 course meal and cocktail):
£28 for members, £33 for non-members 🎅

Bring your friends and family!

Details on how to buy a ticket to the event will be shared soon.

We hope to see you there!

#Exepose #XMedia #ChristmasBall #Masquerade #RougemontHotel #Exeter
🥳 Print Issue 724 is out on campus! 🥳 Our f 🥳 Print Issue 724 is out on campus! 🥳

Our front page news stories cover both horrifying and pleasant student experiences with estate agents, Cardens, and Jacob Rees-Mogg's controversial comments at an event organised by the Exeter University Conservative Association. 

Inside we have COP26 coverage and an exclusive interview with the USS Pensions Officer for the UCU, a Feature article detailing local support for sexual assault survivors and a Science piece on how TikTok is revolutionising science communication.

Over on our Exhibit pages, Lifestyle discusses breast cancer signs and how to self-examine, Arts and Lit explore the concept of streaming theatre online and Screen spotlight some of the best (and worst) musicians-turned-actors.

#Exepose #UniversityofExeter #StudentMedia #StudentNewspaper #Cardens #JacobReesMoggs #COP26 #UCU #TikTok #TLC #TheatreOnline #PrintIssue
In case you didn't already know, Print Issue 723 i In case you didn't already know, Print Issue 723 is out on campus 🥳

Our front page covers the outrage and confusion over the Athletic Union's (now u-turned) decision to ban sport socials indefinitely and the boycotting of nightclubs in response to a rise in spiking. 

We also have an exclusive interview with Marion Ojua, VP Liberation and Diversity, who spoke about her day-to-day duties, Black History Month and diversity at the University of Exeter.

In our Comment section, one writer argues in favour of banning red meat on campus while Science spotlights the work of Black scientists and Sport looks at the career of former footballer, Viv Anderson. 

Over on our Exhibit pages, Lifestyle writers discuss important Black-owned fashion and beauty brands, Arts and Lit contributors share who their favourite Black artists are and Screen reviews Netflix's most popular show, Squid Game.

#Exepose #UniversityofExeter #StudentMedia #StudentNewspaper #AthleticsUnion #boycotts #spiking #BlackHistoryMonth #redmeat #SquidGame #VivAnderson #PrintIssue
We have an excellent number of candidates running We have an excellent number of candidates running for committee positions and now it's time to vote!

Members, please read each manifesto on the Exeter Guild website before submitting your ranks. 

Polls close Thursday 28th October at 23.59 ⏲️

Good luck to all candidates!

#Exepose #Elections
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

There may be an issue with the Instagram access token that you are using. Your server might also be unable to connect to Instagram at this time.

Tweets by Exeposé Lifestyle

Contact Us: editors@exepose.com

Since 1987, Exeposé has given a voice to Exeter students. Over the years, the determination and political fervour exhibited by students through Exeposé have helped shape the University we study at today. We have received national recognition for our award-winning campaigns, investigations and surveys, and always strive to provide students with high-quality news, comment and features.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in articles and comments do not reflect the views of Exeposé Online or the University of Exeter Student's Guild.

        


© 2022
Website design: Harry Caton and Ellie Cook
Webdesign & development: Harry Caton