Forced into marriage

"He took me in to a room, made me lie down on a bench and thrashed me because I didn't want to marry him."

Maati Tv November 24, 2011
We live in the twenty-first century, yet it is appalling to know that women in Pakistan still face numerous problems especially in terms of marriage.

Girls are often not given the right to choose their life partners and later when they are married, they are usually victims of domestic violence. Although most women in Pakistan accept a forced marriage as their fate, and quietly sign the marriage certificate, many women stand up for their rights and refuse to do so. The video shows the fate such women face; they are brutally beaten and threatened till they succumb to the wishes of those forcing them to get married.
"My father gave the police officer money in front of me"

"The police officer took me in to a room, he made me lie down on a bench....and thrashed me"

Recently, a law has been passed that aims to protect women's rights. The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act’(Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2011 states that the culprit will receive a fine and imprisonment. It further states that women can’t be forcefully married to someone, even the Quran. Anyone convicted of forcing a woman into marriage or of stealing her inheritance will be sentenced to prison for three to ten years, or will have to pay a fine of around $6,000.

This video originally appeared here.
WRITTEN BY:
Maati Tv A community journalism website that aims to provide an alternative voice for people.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (27)

Hira | 12 years ago | Reply If such a law has indeed been passed, I hope it's also practised and not just limited to writing.
Lala Jie | 12 years ago | Reply I have not heard of any law meant to curb domestic violence in Pakistan. I think it has been mistaken. The recently enacted law is "Anti Women Practices Act" or something like that. The Domestic Violence Bill was passed by the national assembly in 2009, and it had to be passed by the Senate within 90 days. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Now this law needs to be presented in the joint sitting.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ