GENDER BASED VIOLENCE/INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

In broad term it is known as VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN particularly by Intimate Partner According to an International organization Pathfinder (Working on GBV) and Action aid (Ref 1/11/2022 changing the world with women & Girls) GBV affects women & Girls in every society in the world. One in every 3 women of age between 15 to 49 years experience GBV /Intimate Partner Violence and Globally 81000 women & Girls are killed in 2022 among which 47000 (58%) by their intimate partner or a family member which is an average of one Death every 11 minutes. According to pathfinder research 44% women can not take decision about their Sexual &Reproductive Health Decision without fear of violence or harm According to Express Tribune 5th December 2022 the Pakistan is 6th most dangerous country for women and 5th worst in Domestic Violence. Only 27 % women of reproductive age report physical or Sexual abuse by their Intimate Partner (Ice Berg of issue) There are 16% more chances of miscarriages in women who suffer from Intimate Partner Violence. THIS IS A BIG PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE BUT UNFORTUNATELY LESS THAN 1% OF GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN FUNDING IS SPENT ON ITS PREVENTION &RESPONSE. In Pakistan according to PDHS Survey( 2012-2013 ) 32% women experienced physical violence& 40% of ever married women suffered IPV and in PDHS Survey (2017-2018) 28% women of reproductive age suffered from IPV but both numbers seem to be under reported due to secrecy & shame as according to UNFPA one in Two women do not report or sought any help for GBV due to social, Cultural, Male dominant and other societal factors in which always women is set responsible for abuse . The mindset in Pakistan is Patriarchal and women once entrapped in violence can not get out from it and a vicious ‘circle starts as the girls and women in our society are taught from early age by parents “THAT LIVE OR DIE BUT only at husband’ house” so no back support from parents in any farm whether Financial or providing shelter. The financial reserved for any girl is only saved and spent on her marriage & Dowry which is still prevailing in our culture but day by day more is spent therefore less is spent on Education or any other skill development of girls especially in rural areas and poor are always suffering so they are always dependent on their husbands and are compelled to remain in continuous trauma & Abusive environment as no door opens for them after violence by their partner or other family members. The intimate partner violence is not only physical,Pscychological,Finincial using abusive language but more intensive as HONOR KILLING,ACID THROWING ,Burning in stoves in kitchen even Murder in extreme cases (These are either not reported or Misreported as Murder are reported as suicide or Acid throwing as accidental and burning in kitchen is reported as accidental during cooking ). The law of for GBV /DV (Prevention & Protection) Act 2022 at Federal &Provincial level with the objective of establishing an effective system of protection, Relief,& Rehabilitation of women suffering from GBV but it is just a law not implemented in its actual spirit. Our Police & Judicial systems are already overwhelmed by criminal cases so their priority is not GBV by saying it is your domestic issue better to solve at home until a serious outcome .In majority of cases as there is Feudal system so either any Wadera/Notable or elders intervene and temporarily issue is settled between families and women again after sometime (Honey Moon Period) suffer same violence. As stated early that in 2017-2018 PDHS survey the GBV shows decrease from 32 % to 285% it seems due to increase in awareness and long history of struggle against GBV/IPV especially in educated women of Urban Middle class &Upper class who are raising voices during Women March organized on 8th March . Also the Women education up to secondary classes is increased from 28.6% in 2011 up to 34.2% in 2021 creating a new young educated generation having the awareness & Confidence to demand their rights As in our Health System there is no indicator for reporting the GBV it is immense need of time to strengthen the reporting system especially the Private doctors as the women in case of any abuse Physical or Psychological first of all contacts with her care provider who is very close and do not breach her confidentiality . Boys in early age & Men should also be provided knowledge about reproductive rights of girls & Women to promote positive norms of Masculinity ,Equitable Gender norms for better understanding of their not only partner but for whole community. The life based skill education should be part of both girls & Boys in schools & in community that respect right of equality is equal for both. Further the Civil Society & NGOS working on GBV/IPV must concentrate to manage shelter houses for survivors of this public health issue. For better collection of data & help the victims /Survivors most effective tool are LHWS as they are considered as a family member of families especially in rural areas and women mostly share their issues with them if they don’t have access to any health care provider therefore their capacity building through trainings must be considered along with Private Health Care Providers.