Domestic Violence in Pakistan: An Analysis of the Problem Representation and the Domestic Violence Legislation
Author
Skrode, Lelde
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-05-27
Abstract
This thesis examines how domestic violence is represented in Pakistan’s domestic violence legislation. Against a backdrop of persistent gender inequality and high rates of intimate partner violence reported in national surveys, the study asks: What is the problem of domestic violence represented to be in Pakistan’s domestic violence legislation? Using Carol Bacchi’s WPR approach, the analysis focuses on the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2012, and is informed by theoretical perspectives, a review of related laws and human rights instruments, and attention to men’s and women’s viewpoints. The analysis indicates that the legislation assumes the 2012 bill sufficiently addresses the issue, yet the bill has not been enacted due to resistance from the Council of Islamic Ideology, while provinces and territories have introduced their own measures at varying stages. Terms used in legal texts can be discriminatory, sanctions are inconsistently organised, and there appears to be limited governmental willingness to address the problem, compounded by disadvantages faced by low-caste groups, women’s acceptance of domestic violence, and men’s justifications for using violence. The thesis concludes with practical suggestions including stronger monitoring systems, better coordination between responsible institutions, and educational initiatives to communicate the harms of domestic violence.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan vold i hjemmet fremstilles i Pakistans lovgivning om vold i hjemmet. På baggrund af vedvarende kønsulighed og høje forekomster af partnervold i nationale undersøgelser spørger studiet: Hvad fremstilles problemet ved vold i hjemmet at være i Pakistans lovgivning? Analysen anvender Carol Bacchis WPR-tilgang med fokus på Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2012, og inddrager teoretiske perspektiver, en gennemgang af relateret lovgivning og menneskerettighedsinstrumenter samt opmærksomhed på mænds og kvinders synspunkter. Resultaterne peger på, at lovgivningen antager, at lovforslaget fra 2012 dækker problemet tilstrækkeligt, men at det aldrig er blevet vedtaget på grund af modstand fra Council of Islamic Ideology, mens provinser og territorier har indført egne ordninger i varierende stadier. Anvendte begreber kan være diskriminerende, sanktionssystemet fremstår uensartet, og der synes at være begrænset politisk vilje til at adressere problemet, forværret af ulemper for lavkastegrupper, kvinders accept af vold og mænds begrundelser for at anvende vold. Specialet afslutter med praktiske forslag, herunder stærkere monitoreringssystemer, bedre koordinering mellem ansvarlige institutioner og oplysende uddannelsesinitiativer om voldens skadevirkninger.
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