Tania Baloch
Sixteen year old Hasina Bibi was busy in packing the remaining stuff in her house. Rest of stuff of her house including livestock had already been shifted. Hasina Bibi was deceived and told that she would go to Hyderabad along with male members of her family after few days.
After three days, abandoned dead body of Hasina bibi was recovered from Rojahn Jamali area, District Jaffarabad, which was full of bullets fired by her husband, father-in-law and brother-in-Law. 18 year old Hanif Jhakrani, who was suspected to have an affair with Hasina, was chased down and killed in Jacobabad.
Incidents of Karo-Kari are not new in Sindh and these cases appear when the victim girls either deny a marriage proposal or the so-called guardians of her honor, which include husband, father and brother, kill her on suspicion of having an affair.
Incidents of Karo-Kari appear when the victim either deny a marriage proposal or her guardians suspect her for having an affair
It’s a cliché that Universe is colorful due to existence of women. However it would not be wrong to say that male dominated society is actively responsible in suppressing the colorful element in our universe.
Today, on the event of International Women’s day my question is that why only women are the who give sacrifice?
Why only women is the victim when the case is Karo Karai, acid throwing, domestic violence or settling a dispute between two tribes.
As a woman, I have not doubts on the assertion that in Baloch society both man and women have equal rights.
The concept of sanctity of Chadar and Char Diwari (Shawl and boundary wall of house) is best example of how women are treated in Baloch society. They are treated with confidence, love and respect and that’s the reason that cases of violence against women are much less in Balochistan as compared to other provinces.
Case of Hasina bibi took place in Dera Allah Yar, district Jaffarabad and this area is situated on the border of Sindh and Balochistan. It’s a matter of grave concern that a steep increase has been witnessed in incidents of Karo-Kari in Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Shoran and Bolan. Karo-Kari is one the worst obsolete tribal customs and social evils which is still very much present in society.
According to the local journalists, people of Naseerabad division have migrated to Sindh due to law and order situation. After their return they have adopted the culture of Karo-Kari which they have brought with themselves from Sindh.
It’s also unfortunate that tribal leaders do not even allow filing of FIRs of cases of Karo-Kari. According to them, such issues are internal issues of their tribe and when a FIR is filed then it will bring bad name to their tribe. So, it means that it does not matter if an innocent woman loses her life as long as the reputation of tribe is intact.
Protection of Women bill is not doubt a very positive step in this regard. However at the same time using education and awareness programs is necessary to shun the mindset that honor of a man lies with guarding women.
Writer is Editor-in-Chief of Balochistan Inside
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