Imran Khan’s irresponsible statements on rape will have consequences for Pakistani society

“As millions of women know all too well, no one ever avoided a rape by wearing a longer skirt” - Anne K. Ream 

This week Pakistan garnered a lot of attention in the international arena, but for all the wrong reasons. A recent statement by Pakistan’s Prime Minister regarding women’s modesty and linking rape to how women dress was heavily criticized and justly so, by domestic as well as international quarters. This irresponsible statement given by Imran Khan gained so much traction because it perpetuates the centuries’ old narrative of victim blaming, promotes rape culture and belittles the victims of these crimes. 

Such statements from a senior level only make things difficult for women in a patriarchal society where oppression against them is already the norm.  

For instance, in 2020, according to statistics reported by the Aurat Foundation, a total of 2,297 cases of violence against women from 25 districts were registered in the country. Note that these are only reported cases and that a majority of cases go unreported due to various reasons, including pressure from male members of the family. 

If the narrative of ‘modest dressing prevents rape’ was true, then perhaps Khan could explain the rise in cases of child abuses across the country, which increased by four percent in 2020, according to a report released by a child protection NGO. It stated that 2,960 major crimes against children were reported in the four provinces. According to statistics released: “Eight children were abused every day in Pakistan in one form or the other while 51 percent of the victims were girls and 49 percent boys.” 

It is high time we raise awareness and prevent heinous crimes such as rape, honour killing and child abuse from occurring, rather than policing women’s clothes-- which achieves nothing.

If the narrative of ‘modest dressing prevents rape’ was true, then perhaps Khan could explain the rise in cases of child abuses across the country, which increased by four percent in 2020, according to a report released by a child protection NGO.

Sehar Kamran

Khan’s ill-timed statement comes on the heels of the Global Gender Gap Report 2021 which stated that Pakistan slipped a position and now ranked at 153 out of 156 countries, only above Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan. The country ranked 152 in economic participation and opportunity, 144 in the domain of educational attainment, 153 in the domain of health and survival and 98 in political empowerment. What is more worrisome at this point is the fact that Pakistan ranked 112 in 2006, but has dropped 41 places in 15 years, instead of climbing up the ladder. COVID-19 has further exacerbated the situation for women in the country who are already at a disadvantage compared to men and must work twice as hard to prove themselves, in almost all fields of life.    

Pakistan’s leaders, especially the ones in power, must realize the gravity of their statements because the country is signatory to several international conventions to prevent violence against women and to bridge gender discrimination. The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by world leaders in 2015, which Pakistan is also bound to accomplish, also acknowledges, and mentions in its 17 Sustainable Development Goals that gender equality is integral to empower women and to ensure sustainable development globally.  

Despite a multitude of challenges, Pakistani women have reached the moon, conquered mountains, serve in the upper echelons of power, and the fact that we are still debating their dress codes... is regressive to put it lightly. It is high time we shift the debate to topics which lie outside the ambit of women’s clothing. It should be remembered that misogyny and patriarchy not only hamper female empowerment but also hinder national economic growth and development, as one half of the work force remains unutilized. 

The need of the hour is to tighten existing legal loopholes so that perpetrators of these crimes are punished to the highest extent of the law. Only by holding them responsible for the consequences of their actions and by implementing stricter penalties, will offenders be deterred from taking this path. Without holding people, especially men, responsible for their actions, crimes like sexual assault and rape will only increase. The world is moving well beyond the point of victim blaming. This talking point has been exhausted in modern civilized discourse and Khan should realize that leaders bear great responsibility in shaping the psyche of society and its people. 

Irresponsible statements from the highest office can have dire long-term consequences.

– Sehar Kamran is the President of the Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies (CPGS), she is a prominent politician, acadmeician and practitioner in the areas of regional, international defense and strategic studies.
Twitter @SeharKamran