“Correlation between Phenomenon of Rape and Political Forces in Pakistan”

In a paper entitled The Politics of Dishonor: Rape and Power in Pakistan[1] written by Shahla Haeri is trying to explain correlation between phenomenon of rape and political forces in Pakistan. This case is interesting, because showing about corelation between women as the victims of rape in Pakistan often treated unfairly the law.  It implies no guarantee against injustice and human rights of women in Pakistan. Injustice is also influenced by social and cultural conditions of the local community.

An example is the case where the tribal council ordered a woman in Pakistan was repeatedly raped.[2] The penalty was imposed because the woman accused of having an affair with his own brother. After raped, the women paraded around the village in southern Punjab, Pakistan. This case being famous women in Pakistan for years. Sixth suspect arrested rapists, convicted and imprisoned. But last month the Supreme Court decided to lift the man's sentence all but one person.

Exposure based on the circumstances of the women seen in Pakistan experiencing unfair treatment. Haeri in his writings is able to show how women are still vulnerable to become victims of injustice and domination of power possessed men. It is influenced by social and cultural conditions of the local community politicians who judge women as a marginalized group.

Then how the situation is after the election of Benazir Bhutto as a woman who was elected as the leader of Pakistan? It seems that there is no significant change, it is because there are many perceived unfair treatment experienced by women, especially when it comes to state law and customary law . So if women's rights are still guaranteed? Looking at the above phenomenon shows that the Pakistani government is still not able to fully guarantee the rights of women. It is clear in this case that the Pakistani government is not capable of being an agent that protects its citizens, so there are still many citizens especially women who experience discrimination.

Government as a major actor in the country should be able to guarantee the rights of its citizens possessed. Efforts to assure the citizens it can be done by strengthening the rule of law that strongly bind to any person without distinction based on gender or race. So expect justice through such efforts can be felt by everyone, including women who often suffer discrimination.

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[1] Shahla Haeri. The Politics of Dishonor: Rape and Power in Pakistan.

[2] NN. Korban Pemerkosaan Pakistan Menghadapi Ketidakadilan Baru in http://indonesia.projectdemo.web.id/2011/05/23/korban-pemerkosaan-pakistan-menghadapi-ketidakadilan-baru/ accessed on Sunday, 20 October 2013; 11:15 pm.