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Loading...Getting Burned in Pakistan: Report Finds Acid and Burn Attacks Against Women on the Rise
In Pakistan, like in many other South Asian countries, honor is a virtue that is not only valued but demanded from society, especially from women. Women who “dishonor” their families face severe consequences at the hands of a strongly patriarchal society who continues to see women secondary to men.
A new report from the AGHS Legal Cell has found that violence against women in the form of burning and acid attacks is on the rise in the country. Women who are seen as dishonoring their families are often the targets of these attacks.
Walking in public with a man who is unrelated to you could elicit an attack for it is often presumed that the woman is committing adultery. Fleeing an arranged marriage or a relationship where a woman is unhappy or being abused is another common reason for the attacks.
According to the report, from April to June of this year more than 220 women reported being burned, 40 of whom died as a result of their injuries which can be extensive. When acid is thrown in a person’s face, skin tissue melts on contact exposing the bone below the flesh that may also dissolve from the acid. If acid reaches the eyes, they are permanently damaged often leaving survivors with the use of only one or no eyes.
What’s worse? According to the report women are not being given appropriate medical care and few seek legal action after being attacked. Many cases are also not even reported to police so the actual numbers of victims are far worse than we think.
“Violence against women in Pakistan is endemic,” Nisha Varia, deputy director of women’s rights division at Human Rights Watch told The Media Line.” “We try to apply pressure so that the government recognizes these crimes, prosecutes the perpetrators and provides services to the victims.”
Acid and burn attacks are also not only isolated in Pakistan. It is also common practice in Bangladesh, India, and other South Asian countries. In Bangladesh, the Acid Survivors Foundation has been working for nearly ten years to eliminate acid violence in the country where there is currently an acid attack every two days. A similar organization also exists in Pakistan.
Violence against women exists everywhere. We know this. I also know that I can no longer sit idly as governments around the world fail to protect these victims.
Read more: acid attacks, bangladesh, pakistan, south asia, violence against women, womens rights
Photo from http://raquelevita.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/pakistan-acid-attack-victims-find-beauty-in-themselves/ (originally from MSNBC, August 2008)
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+ add your ownDisturbing.
Petition against honor killing: http://forcechange.com/2870/stop-honor-killing-of-innocent-women-and-girls-around-the-world/
Ithink its disgusting and they are hypocrites and cowards the men who do that
THERE IS IN ALL COUNTRIES WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAVING GASOLINE POURED ON THEM AND LIT UP BY A SUPPOSED LOVE ONE. A BOY WAS SET ON FIRE BY HIS FATHER IN A MOTEL ROOM SEVERAL YEARS AGO. BUT THE STORY AND PHOTO PLUS INTERVIEW WITH HIM WILL LAST A LIFE TIME. SOME ARE JUST BEATEN SO BAD THAT THEY ARE CRIPPALED AND SOME SO BADLY THAT THEY DIE. WORLD WIDE ABUSE OF WOMEN AND OUR CHILDREN BY MEN WHO SAY THEY LOVE YOU. THIS STORY IS BAD AS THE WOMEN ARE AFRAID TO COME FORWARD IN FEAR OF ANOTHER ATTACK. NO ONE IS ABLE TO BE PROTECTED BY A PIECE OF PAPER. THE PERPATRAITOR GETS OUT ON BAIL OR WHAT EVER AND JUST GOES AND KILLS HIS VICTIMS SO THEY CANNOT BETRAY HIM. SOMETIMES KILLING THEMSELVES TOO. BUT I FEEL BAD FOR THESE WOMEN AND WOMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD, SAY A PRAYER FOR THEM WHEN EVER YOU CAN. MAYBE SOME ONE WILL HEAR THEM AND SAVE THEM.
THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO THESE EVILS TO WOMEN ARE A BUNCH OF IDIOT COWARDS
The Truth of the matter is there are too many HATE ISLAM Sites. They fill the people of the world with FAKE stories and LIES about Islam so that it can turn mankind against ISLAM and give people a valid reason to hate ISLAM. Just imagine If the gym shooter who killed women was a MUSLIM all hell would have been let loose. ISLAM would have been targeted and degraded and hated once again. It truely is saddening how most of the people of this world are. They are so BIAS when it comes to Religion allowing the name of Judaism and Christianity remain INVISIBLE and target only the MAN who DID The DEED. But becoz he was a christian there has been hardly any mention of the religion Christianity even though Sodini actually quoted from the Bible that he has been absolved of his killing spree sin since JESUS died and already paid for all Sodinis and the others SINS yet people quietly overlooked that the misinterpreatation came from the Religion Christianity. BROTHERS N SISTERS where is the justice in YOU ALL that hate ISLAM so, to readily blast a peace loving religion of ISlam for every insane act a follower commits yet be utterly silent about CHRISTINITY and JUDAISM when their followers commit heinous acts against mankind. Remember GOD is ALL HEARING ALL SEEING N ALL KNOWING.
it doesnt matter what the arguments, what does matter is the violence perpetuated against woman, the people who do it are sick idiots and the system that supports it should be extinguished.
Its happening. And thats all that matters. And it needs to stop NOW.
In Pakistan respect to a woman is given of a mother,a sister ,a wife and a beloved daughter.So much love is given to our women,the people of un islamic countries even can not imagine.
The AGHS legal cell seems to be a Israeal based fake oreganisation.Their are so many charactorless NOGs in the world who are ready to offer everything just for some dollars.
Walking a woman with a unknown man is just going to Pub for sunday worship.
Actually all this story is a part of Media war against Islam.
In the last centuary non Muslim have waved a war against Islam.Their motive was,Do not say anything to Islam say Molvies (Priest)are bad.If you succeeded you will be able to damage the Islam.
In the end we would like to say that Islam is religon of peace,love and respect and who come near to it he involved in love with it.The only thing is needed is he must be open and pious mind.I invite every noble soul to try it.You will see that so many people of other religons are living with us like good friends and brothers
Carol K which planet are u from?? I Have never heard such rubbish been written abt this Prophet of God P.B.U.H. Please get your facts correct b4 u utter such filth from your mouth abt a Beloved Prophet of The Lord. Research about HIS LIFE and u will realize HE was the ONE that actually put a stop to ignorant pagan arab people burying their daughters alive. Prophet MUHAMMAD P.B.U.H. actually brought about education of womenfold. HE P.B.U.H. is the One WHO said 1)that women are the twin halves of men.2) The best muslim man is one who is the best to his wife WOMEN.3)Admonish your wives(WOMEN) with kindness.4) Overlook 10 of your wife's (WOMEN)bad qualities because of the 1 good quality she possesses.5) Feed, clothe, provide shelter and love your wives(WOMEN) if u want to attain closeness to GOD. 6) Even a smile at your wives (WOMEN)is considered an act of charity in the sight of GOD. 7) A mans paradise lies under his mothers(woman) feet - means man must treat his mother(WOMEN) with RESPECT and kindness if he wants to enter paradise - jus imagine men who are cruel to women wil never taste the rewards of paradise. This is how high a station a women in islam has. What greater HONOUR can any religion bestow on WOMEN. So carol k plse DO NOT blame The Prophet (P.B.U.H. or the religion ISLAM for the barbaric acts carried out by ignorant and sick muslims. Judaism and Christianity too has murderers like Sharon(Palestine) and Bush(Iraq,Afghanistan) but nobody picks on their religions beca
Whoever is responsible for such attacks are mentally retarded. It has nothing to do with their religion. No where in the Quran will u ever find such acts to be perpetrated on women. Islam totally prohibits women to be forced into any marriage against their will. The Quran clearly states that every women should have her choice to marry or not to marry any man. The Quran clearly states that a woman should never be FORCED into marrying any man against her will. Its either these ignorant zealots cannot read or cannot understand The Teachings of The Quran or Islam. They are unfortunately sick in their stupid heads and will pay for disobeying The Quran and its teachings. Its a grave sin they are committing against womenfolk and will have to one day answer To The Creator of all Mankind.
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