Senator Ayesha Raza talks about sex-offenders’ registry, anti-rape cells and other protection measures for women and children
WEB DESK: Most people might still not be aware that the government of Pakistan has established anti-rape crisis cells in almost 75 per cent districts across country. Women and children who are subjected to sexual or gender-based violence (GBV) can go to these cells in hospitals, and file their complaints in a safe and confidential environment.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLN-N) Senator Ayesha Raza, who is also the Chairperson of National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) shed more light on these and other measures, in an interview with HUM News’s Subah Say Agay.
She shared that the instance of GBV across country and across the globe is very alarming. “Latest Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey shows that 28 per cent women said that they had to face some type of GBV, while six per cent have said that they had to face sexual violence,” the senator shared. She added that while alarmingly high, these figures are still underreported “because in a conservative society like ours where women don’t get the guidance and support, it’s very difficult for them to come forward to report such crimes.”
Shedding light on the recent measures taken under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021 and Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021. Senator Ayesha Raza said that special committee formed under these acts has taken several steps and has created multiple structures to provide protection and expeditious justice.
Special courts and designated prosecutors have been appointed for such cases, while anti-rape crisis cells have been established across 75 per cent of the districts across country. She said that special investigation units have been established in police stations with female police officers to facilitate reporting of such crimes.
She also informed that a “sex offender register” was launched in November 2023. This is a database of criminals who have been convicted in sex offences by trial courts. “The registry has been formed so these convicts can be barred from re-offending,” she said, adding, “Data shows that sexual criminals are habitual offenders.”
The senator said that National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) had provided the government with a software for this registry, which is housed at the National Police Bureau.
She added that to truly clamp down on GBV and sexual crimes, students should be taught about them. The senator informed that the NCRC is also working on making such subjects part of the academic syllabi. “We need to bring about a change in societal behaviors as well,” she said adding, “Women should be informed about the safe and confidential avenues for reporting such crimes.”