Controversy in Pakistan: Prime Minister accused women of increased rape and criticized their dress

In Pakistan, a heated controversy erupted over the reprehensible remarks of the Prime Minister Imran Khan, who blamed the women for the increase in rape cases in the country by questioning the way they dress.

The president made the comments last weekend in a TV interview when asked what the government is doing to stop the increase in cases of sexual violence against women and children.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the problem and recalling the country’s strict laws against cases of rape, Khan noted that these types of attacks have “increased rapidly” in the modern world, seeing it as a normal consequence “in any society. where vulgarity increases ”.

She then explained that the reason women cover themselves with Islam is to escape temptation. “The whole concept of ‘purdah’ is to avoid temptation. Not all people have a will. If vulgarity continues to increase, it will have consequences ”.

The term “purdah” refers to the strict separation of the sexes and the obligation of modesty for women in certain Muslim or Hindu communities.

“If our religion gives us the concept of the veil, then there is a philosophy behind it and that philosophy is to save the family system and protect society,” added the Pakistani prime minister, a former cricketer.

Pakistani Human Rights Commission condemned Khan’s statements and demanded an immediate apology considering that the president’s remarks represent “unacceptable behavior on the part of a public leader”.

“Not only does this reveal a bewildering ignorance of the locations, reasons and modalities of the rapes, but also blame the survivors for them “, said the independent group.

The Khan government issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the prime minister’s statements had been distorted: “The prime minister spoke of society’s responses and the need to join forces to completely eliminate the threat of rape.”

“Unfortunately, part of his comment, consciously or unconsciously, was distorted to mean something he never intended,” the text adds.

For their part, hundreds of people signed a virtual petition condemning the “objectively incorrect, hurtful and dangerous” statements. “Blame is based solely on the rapist and the system that favors the rapist, including the culture favored by certain statements (like Khan’s).”

English Goldsmith Jemima, one of Khan’s ex-wives, joined in criticism of the Pakistani prime minister by using a quote from the Qur’an asking men to “Hold your eyes”. “The responsibility lies with the men,” he said on his Twitter account.

For critics, Khan’s comments are another example of the misogynistic attitudes that compound the problem of women in Pakistan.

“I believe the Prime Minister of Pakistan is a macho, misogynist and patriarchal monster. And he must resign “, the veteran activist told EFE Tahira Abdullah | during a small demonstration in Islamabad. “If Zainab had worn a burqa, would she have been raped or not?” She asked, referring to the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl that sparked strong protests in 2018.

With the increase in rape cases in recent times, the pressure on the government to bring justice to women is increasing. The increase in attacks has led several individuals and organizations demand that those responsible be sentenced to death.

Last December, the executive approved a measure that establishes that men convicted of rape may be subjected to chemical castration.

However, statistics in Pakistan on rape cases are unreliable. According to official figures, only 0.3% of cases result in a conviction. This makes this crime very underreported. In addition, victims are often treated like criminals, or even blamed for assaults, as the Prime Minister recently did.

Last year, thousands took to the streets after a police chief asked in an interview how the family of a woman raped on a highway in front of her two children allowed her to get out. night.

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