The worries of your typical fifteen-year old girl will probably range from finding remedies to those stubborn whiteheads, what to do about that cute guy in science class and figuring out how the hell tampons work. Not so for young girls across Pakistan, many of whom are being punished for what we would consider as endearing teenage traits. On October 29th, while many teens were probably stressing over what to wear to a Halloween party the next day, fifteen year-old Anusha was beaten and doused in acid by her parents in her remote village in the district of Kotli. After her relenting parents eventually took her to hospital the next day, Anusha died in agony with over 60% burns on her body, all for the capital crime of looking at a boy on a bike.
When describing the events her father told the press; “There was a boy who came by on a motorcycle. She [Anusha] turned to look at him twice. I told her before not to do that, it’s wrong. People talk about us because our older daughter was the same way”. The most chilling part in this horror story is perhaps how her parents, who were arrested in Kashmir at the beginning of November, remain in prison unrepentant, claiming that it was her “destiny” to die as she did. The couple claim that her elder sister had already dishonored the family, and that they did not want Anusha to repeat the same mistake. Anusha’s mother, Zaheen, recounts; ‘She [Anusha] said ‘I didn’t do it on purpose. I won’t look again.’ By then I had already thrown the acid. It was her destiny to die this way.”
These so called ‘honor-killings’ are unfortunately not uncommon in Pakistan. The Human Rights Commission claimed that 943 women died in a similar fashion last year, with campaigners estimating around 150 were specifically attacked with acid. Despite the fact that the government introduced stricter penalties last year, it seems that attacks are on the increase. Most cases occur against women by their husbands or in laws; for as former MP Marvi Memon who sponsored the new laws explains, “it’s the easiest way to punish a woman. You can just throw acid and destroy her entire life in one second.”
Despite the new laws offenders hardly ever receive the life imprisonment sentence that justice demands. Zohra Yusuf, the chair of Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission, said “Only about 10% of cases are getting to court”, usually due to corruption in the police forces and the “lack of political will” by government officials. In order to tackle the growing injustices of acid attacks, Pakistan needs to address issues that have deeper roots than female subjugation and extreme patriarchy. Now that the laws have been passed the nation needs to directly tackle the challenge of implementing the changes, and enforcing the instruments of social justice.
For more information on acid attacks and the victimization of Pakistani women follow the link below and watch the Oscar award winning documentary Saving Face – http://savingfacefilm.com/
Image Credits: BBC News, South Punjab News, The Daily Beast