Tag: patriarchy

  • Sher Afzal Marwat refused to remarry because it is a “big injustice” to women

    Sher Afzal Marwat refused to remarry because it is a “big injustice” to women

    In our patriarchal culture, societal norms often facilitate men who remarry if there are no children – or a male child – from the first marriage.

    But Sher Afzal Marwat, a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, has different views as he related a personal event from his life in a podcast with Nadir Ali.

    “In 2007, my wife asked me to remarry because it had been six years and we didn’t have a son yet,” Marwat said.

    Marwat related that his father was alive at the time and in Pathan culture there is a lot of societal pressure to marry again for children.

    His wife permitted him to remarry in a serious conversation.

    Marwat recounted, “I took some time to think and told her that I cannot do this injustice to you just because I want children.”

    Marwat emphasized, “It would be a big injustice to any woman, let alone your wife if you bring a second wife just for your happiness.”

    “A woman has a life too, she leaves everything behind for a man when she gets married,” said Sher Afzal Marwat.

  • Sarah Inam’s lawyer wants death penalty for her husband Shahnawaz 

    Sarah Inam’s lawyer wants death penalty for her husband Shahnawaz 

    An Islamabad district and sessions court was informed on Thursday that all the evidence collected in the Sarah Inam murder case proves that her husband Shahnawaz Amir, the prime suspect and husband of the victim, is guilty of murdering his wife, reports Dawn.

    In the latest hearing, Rao Abdur Rahim, counsel for Sarah’s father, told Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana that a forensic analysis revealed two photos were found in Shahnawaz’s phone, one of which was of the victim. He said it showed Sarah’s body, covered with a white cloth, lying in the room. The photo, he added, was also sent through WhatsApp. He did not mention to whom it was sent.

    According to Shahnawaz’s testimony, there was no disagreement between him and the victim. “We have found a document from the accused’s mobile phone which is dated prior to Sarah’s arrival in Pakistan,” the lawyer said, adding that testimonies could lie but documents could not. He mentioned in the court, “The victim’s phone was destroyed when she reached the accused’s house. She was at his mercy.”

    Rao further said that the postmortem report showed there were bruises on Sarah’s body, her bones were broken, and all these injuries were inflicted while the victim was still alive. “How is it possible that Samina Shah didn’t hear a thing while Sarah was tortured to this extent,” he asked while reminding the court that there were only three people in the house at the time of the murder — Shahnawaz, his mother, and Sarah. 

    The lawyer also highlighted that the accused had said he didn’t divorce Sarah, but his phone record showed otherwise. Moreover, the DVR at Shahnawaz’s house was removed just two days before the crime, he added.

    “All this evidence proves Shahnawaz’s crime,” Rao asserted, comparing the murder with the Noor Mukadam case. He then pleaded to the court to hand the death penalty to the accused and concluded his arguments.

    Subsequently, Prosecutor Rana Hassan Abbas presented counter-arguments. He said the incident was neither reported by the police nor the suspect. “The victim was an educated and talented woman,” he told the court, recalling that Sarah married Shahnawaz last year.

    According to the evidence collected from the accused’s mobile phone, Sarah called Shahnawaz on Sept 18 — five days before her alleged murder — the prosecutor said and read out loud the transcript of the conversation. “The accused blocked Sarah multiple times and even threatened her,” he said, adding that the victim was just requesting that her parents be given a chance to see her off in an honourable way.

    “Three messages in this chat were deleted that were possibly related to divorce,” prosecutor Abbas suggested. The last message sent by Shahnawaz was on September 20 after which Sarah landed in Pakistan on September 22 and stayed with the accused and his mother.

    On the day of the murder, he continued, Samina told the police that her son committed the murder after which evidence — including the murder weapon — was collected from the crime scene. “Shahnawaz’s DNA was found from the injuries on Sarah’s body,” Abbas said, adding that the accused’s clothes were smeared with blood.

    He added that passports and mobile phones were also seized.

    Here, Judge Rana asked the prosecutor how much more time he would need, to which Abbas replied 20 minutes. The judge, however, said he had a meeting to attend and adjourned the hearing till Monday, November 20.

    Shahnawaz, the son of noted political analyst and commentator Ayyaz Amir, was arrested on September 2023 last year from his farmhouse in Islamabad. Sarah was reportedly murdered just a day after she arrived in the country from Dubai where she had been working. Her husband was initially remanded to police custody a day after his arrest and the period of his physical remand was extended several times.

    Shahnawaz’s father, Ayaz Amir was discharged from the case and his mother Sameena Shah, nominated as co-accused in the case, was granted post-arrest bail in November last year.

    The postmortem revealed that Sarah had suffered multiple head fractures leading to her death.

    Read more: Court summons Sarah Inam’s husband

  • Indian man divorces wife over eyebrow threading

    Indian man divorces wife over eyebrow threading

    A man in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, divorced his wife after she shaped her eyebrows without permission. The matter came to the notice of the police as the woman went to register an FIR against her husband and in-laws.

    Gulsaiba and Saleem got married in January 2022. He left for Saudi Arabia on August 30, 2023, for an employment opportunity. Since then, the girl alleged, her in-laws were harassing her for dowry. In a statement given to the police, she told them that her husband is an extremely old-fashioned and orthodox person who has always raised objections over her fashion choices.

    During a video call on October 4, Saleem noticed that her eyebrows had been shaped and despite her explanations that she did it because her face looked unruly, he got angry and pronounced three talaqs. As per Gulsaiba, Salim said to her, “You went ahead and shaped your eyebrows despite my objections. From today, I free you from this marriage”. There has been no communication between the two since then.

    Gulsaiba stated in her complaint, “I had been married for only a year. My husband, who had previously disrespected me, has now given me triple talaq. I want the police to take appropriate action against him.”

  • ‘Rosy glow, hazel eyes, no curly hair’: Rishta demand has internet in stitches

    ‘Rosy glow, hazel eyes, no curly hair’: Rishta demand has internet in stitches

    Are rishta aunties looking for a suitable woman for men or do they want Miss Universe to become their bahu?

    Rishta proposals that come to light are getting increasingly absurd. A tweet is going viral on the internet in which a woman shared a list of demands by an aunty. Included among the ludicrous list are demands that the girl must not have curly or short hair, must have completed her bachelors at the age of 22, as well as have no scars on her face or hands.

    She should also have a “rosy glow” and light coloured eyes, with a concession made for hazel eyes.

    Are you looking for a wife or for a robot, maam? And the sheer audacity of demanding unachievable perfectionism in a woman, while this man couldn’t even find a woman on his own? Twitter was in fits on how unabashed and demanding the rishta circus was for women.

    https://twitter.com/strawb1erry/status/1688609914330230784?s=20
  • TW: Father beats daughter with metal bar for wearing makeup to school in UK, daughter saves him from jail sentence

    TW: Father beats daughter with metal bar for wearing makeup to school in UK, daughter saves him from jail sentence

    Hussein Alinzi, 59, was arrested in the United Kingdom last year on charges of battering his 15-year-old daughter on the morning she was to take a GCSE English exam.

    Alinzi accused his daughter of deceiving him to secretly meet a boy, and of wearing makeup. The girl has reportedly put on makeup to hide the bruises the father inflicted on her the night before.

    Alinzi was charged with beating his daughter with a metal bar right up to the point where she lost consciousness. However, she later tried to sit for the exam but was immediately taken to the A&E after she complained of dizziness and nauseau.

    The teenager reported to her teachers and the police that her father subjected her, on numerous occasions, to beatings and threats, reportedly saying, “I will run you over”, “I will kill you,” and “I hope you die.”

    Medics reported there were 14 injuries on the girl’s body along with a bite mark on her left temple.

    However, Alinzi, who works as a delivery driver, has avoided jail time after an eight month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months after the girl gave an emotional plea in court. He is also required to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation activity days.

    “I initially didn’t want to provide a statement or evidence as I did not want to cause further pain to my family,” the girl said in a statement.

    “When my father was arrested, I felt safe that he was not here, but sad that he was not home.”

    ”My Mum struggles to look after my younger brother and I felt guilty that I bought shame on my family. I love my Dad and I can see that his attitude has now changed. This has made me realise how people can actually change.

    ”Since he has not been living with us, I have become more independent. My brother needs to live with his Dad, and he needs him back.

    “I actually feel happy as all this has changed him, it has made him realise what can and can’t do.”

    During the sentencing, Judge Mr Recorder Peter Wright KC spoke to Alinzi, reminding him to be kinder towards his children:

    “You’re the father of a big family of which there ought to be pride rather than shame, but that shame has been bought on your family by your conduct.

    “You have not behaved like a father should to his children, you behaved like a monster to them.

    “She should have been expected to be loved and protected by you, not assaulted and abused. She lived her life in fear of you, enduring your physical conduct towards her. You are a bully, and what you did was not protecting your child.

    “Your conduct was unforgivable and indicates your will for a combination of fear and violence. This is not acceptable, it is inexcusable and shameful.

    “She is now left with the emotional scar of now being the cause of you becoming separated from the family. This is a feeling that is natural for a child, but she is blameless.”

  • TW: New York based Pakistani man arrested for murdering wife, baby daughter

    TW: New York based Pakistani man arrested for murdering wife, baby daughter

    Trigger warning: murder, domestic violence, abuse

    A Pakistani-American cab driver, Zanoor Jaffari, has been arrested in New York city on charges of murdering his wife and two-year-old daughter, with their five year old son present during the slaughter.

    According to the Suffolk County Police, the wife, Misbah Batool, 33, and the couple’s toddler Izziah, were found dead in the bedroom of the family’s home in Brentwood at 4:40 pm. Other relatives also lived in the house, and it was Jaffari’s mom who reported the stabbing.

    Suffolk County Police Chief of Detectives John Rowan said the couple’s boy was unharmed, and is currently under the custody of relatives.

    The murderer was initially hospitalised after the cops reported he showed signs of overdosing, before being held on murder charges. Jaffari has pled not guilty to the charges and has been remanded without bail.

    Prosecuters have alleged that Jaffari has a history of abusing his wife, before the family shifted to a new home in Long Island City.

  • TW: mentally challenged girl gang-raped by six men in Kasur

    TW: mentally challenged girl gang-raped by six men in Kasur

    On Wednesday, the police in Kasur arrested six men for the brutal gang rape of a mentally challenged teenaged girl found unconscious by her mother in the basement of a private restaurant.

    In the case filed at the Kot Radha Kishan police station, the mother revealed that her daughter had gone out of the house, however, she was later found unconscious, and was rushed to Tehsil Headquarters hospital. After the girl was denied medical treatment, she was taken to Jinnah Hospital, where again she was denied healthcare. Then, the survivor was taken to Services Hospital, where after a medical examination, it was determined that she had been gang raped.

    After the mother questioned locals, it was revealed that two men Sahil and Khalil along with three to four other unidentified men, had taken the girl with them to the basement of a private restaurant where they had gang-raped her.

    After the case was filed, the DPO took speedy action to file a case against main accused Sahil, and arrested him.

    On Wednesday, the police arrested six men for the brutal gang rape of a mentally challenged teenage girl in the basement of a private restaurant and was found unconscious by her mother, according to Express Tribune.

    In the case filed at the Kot Radha Kishan polcie station, the mother revealed that her daughter had gone out and was later found unconscious, and was immediately taken to THQ hospital, where after she was denied medical treatment, was taken to Jinnah Hospital, where again she was denied medical treatment. Then, the survivor was taken to Services Hospital, where after a medical examination it was that she had been gang raped.

    After the mother had questioned the locals, it was revealed that the men Sahil, Khalil and three to four other unidentified men had taken the girl with them to the basement of a private hospital where they had gang-raped her.

    After the case was filed, the DPO took speedy action the main accused Sahil.

  • Woman allegedly raped after false promises of marriage

    Woman allegedly raped after false promises of marriage

    A woman was allegedly raped in Islamabad after being tricked by false promises of marriage.

    According to Geo News, the incident was reported in the capital city on Monday. Police said that the suspect lured the victim by making fake promises of marriage. He then raped her as she traveled from Lahore to Islamabad.

    He also stole the victim’s valuables including her mobile phone, cash and a suit case loaded with clothes.

    The victim stated that when she moved back to Lahore the suspect tricked her again with false promises and raped her after inviting her to the capital city.

    A case has been registered by the police against the suspect and an investigation is underway.

  • Survey resurfaces: 40 per cent Pakistani men believe beating wife justified five years ago

    Survey resurfaces: 40 per cent Pakistani men believe beating wife justified five years ago

    According to a resurfaced Demographic and Health survey taken in 2018 by the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS), around 40 per cent men agreed that a husband is justified in beating his wife.

    However, the reasons for beating were as follows: If she burns his food, goes out without his permission, neglects his children or refuses to have sex with him. Surprisingly, 42 per cent women had also agreed with the statement. Around 34 per cent women, the report reveals, had experienced spousal violence, whether it was physical, sexual or emotional.

    The report states that 28 per cent married women had experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and 15 per cent women had experienced violence in the past year.

    Up to seven per cent married women admitted that they experienced violence during their pregnancy.

    On experiencing sexual violence, six per cent married women had experienced sexual violence and the most common perpetuator was revealed to be the husband, while 14 per cent women who were divorced, seperated or widowed had experienced sexual violence.

    Moving on to financial stability and empowerment, the survey reported that only 19 per cent married women had been working in the past 12 months, compared to 98 per cent married men.

    Half of the married women who are employed and earned an income, made independent decisions on how to spend their earnings, while 41 per cent made joint decisions with their husband. 76 per cent of working women reported making less money than their husband.

    The survey also found that only three per cent of ever-married women owned a house, alone or jointly, compared to 72 per cent ever-married men.

    The survey sampled from all four provinces including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, including Azad Jammu Kashmir and FATA. A total of 12,364 women between the ages of 15-49 and 3,145 men had participated in the survey.

  • ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi is more than just being about clothes’: Amna Ilyas

    Actor Amna Ilyas was a guest on “The Talk Talk Show’ where she opened up about being a feminist, and clarified the misinformation around the Aurat March slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’.

    When the placcard was raised at the 2018 Aurat March, it caused outrage after many right-wing critics said that the chant supports promiscuity and challenges family values in Pakistan. Many religious clerics had used the placard as justification to call ‘Aurat March’ un-Islamic and accused it of promoting a Western agenda in Pakistan.

    Many feminist activists have defended the slogan for protecting women’s bodily autonomy, and now Ilyas has also done the same, as she explained that the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’ was more than about clothes, it’s about protecting the rights of women:

    “It’s about having body autonomy rights and consent. It’s about harassment, domestic violence, and concepts like, ‘No one has the right to touch me without my consent, even if I’m married to you’.”

    Ilyas went on to debunk the stereotype associated with feminism that women who support this ideology are promoting vulgarity, when in reality the ideology supports the rights of women to have the same opportunities as men:

    “Whenever I talk about feminism, people always object by saying ‘Oh, Amna is bold, of course, she will spread vulgarity as she’s from the industry, she wants all our daughters to be like her’. No, I don’t want that, I only do what I want to for myself.”

    “When we speak of equal rights, it’s about having the same opportunities to thrive in my career as the man beside me. If you’re a father of four children who excel in your profession, why can’t I do the same? Honestly, it’s not about whether you’re getting permission to wear jeans or not. What we truly need, is the space to work in a cerebral capacity,” she explained.

    Watch the complete interview here: