Twelve women have been attacked in 3 different
incidents in the past 10 days, marking a disturbing increase in the number of
acid attacks in Balochistan recently. Such alarming attacks prove to be a
significant obstacle to empowering and improving the situation of women in the
region. UNPO reported on this disturbing trend already in
July.
Below is an article published by The Nation:
Three acid attacks on twelve women in the past ten
days adds another dimension to insecurity in Balochistan, because while stories
of honour killings have often emerged from the province in the past, acid
attacks have not been used very frequently in Balochistan, with the first
reported incident in 2010. Two more were reported in 2012, and the sudden surge
in the last few days is something to be alarmed about. In the recent cases, no
connection of the attackers to the victims could be established, and the women
escaped serious injuries because they were covered from head to toe, which
implies that honour was not at stake. In the third attack on the 29th of last month
[July 2014], the assailants forcibly entered a house and sprayed acid on six
women with syringes making it clear that even the presence of women in public
places is not the issue. So what then is the motive behind these attacks?
The insurgency in Balochistan, the presence of the
army, the tribal system, and rising religious extremism make it a very volatile
province. Although Balochistan is very restrictive for women, the Baloch cause
is the only thing that has helped blur gender differences with the proactive
involvement of women in the struggle. Acid attacks will negate any improvement
in women rights in the province, and have already dealt a significant blow to
the cause of women’s empowerment. The physical scarring aside, the
psychological impact of being burnt makes rehabilitation from these attacks
very difficult. As usual, there are no suspects, and the perpetrators walk
free, with numerous sightings in surrounding areas that has increased fears
that the attacks will continue. Unless the people responsible for these attacks
are bought to justice, and unless the simple accessibility of acid is not
addressed, Balochistan will be on the receiving end of more violent crimes like
the rest of the country, and the frequency and barbarity of attacks motivated
by religious and/or gender discrimination will only increase.
Photo by: Kamila Hyat/IRIN
- See
more at: http://www.unpo.org/article/17411#sthash.LACfuF7s.dpuf
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