Women victims of atrocities 'get justice in time' in other nations but this remains an elusive dream in Pakistan, rape victim-turned rights activist Mukhtaran Mai says.
ISLAMABAD: Women victims of atrocities 'get justice in time' in other nations but this remains an elusive dream in Pakistan, rape victim-turned rights activist Mukhtaran Mai says.
"Atrocities and excesses are committed against women almost in every country but they get justice in time, but in Pakistan they are made to run from pillar to post for justice," she said.
Mukhtaran was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a Civic Society Club in the Karachi suburb of Qasimabad, Dawn reported on Sunday.
Mukhtaran had gained international acclaim for her dogged struggle for justice against the people who had gang-raped her in Punjab's Meerwala village in 2002.
According to Mukhtaran, Pakistani women had to face different kinds of pressures within the family as compared to their fathers, brothers, husbands and even sons and were compelled to live in a suffocating atmosphere.
"Male members don't have to face anything like (we do)," she maintained.
Mukhtaran has travelled around the world attending conferences and relating her ordeal after a tribal council ordered her to be gang-raped as a means of honour-revenge. The council belonged to the Mastoi clan that was richer and more powerful than her Tatla clan.
She lamented that she had so far not received justice.
"The accused were convicted by one court but acquitted by another and now the case is pending adjudication before the Supreme Court," she said.
Mukhtaran also spoke of the need for creating awareness and educating women.
"My native village is a backward area. People live in abject poverty and they are not interested in sending their children to schools," she said.
"All NGOs should play their role in educating women as everything cannot be left to the government alone."
In this context, Mukhtaran said she had started a school with three girls and it now had 1,000 students.
"I started it with my sister and another girl. I had to implore families to at least send one of their daughters or sisters to the school," she stated.
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