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Monday, April 15, 2024

Justice for everyone: A complicated fight against inequalities

Mr Moeid talks about the culture of rich people getting away from the lense of judicial system despite being involved in many crimes. He further talks about hindrances women face all their life and how they have to fight for their rights against deep rooted misogynistic mind sets.

Crime is a result of a cost-benefit analysis that a criminal does in his mind before committing the act. He systematically evaluates that if I break the signal and if I get caught, I will pay Rs 500 and will get scot-free. On the other hand, there is a culture where it becomes impossible for the elders/ political leaders to say that your son is behind the bar due to a crime he has committed. The criminal needs to go scot-free which becomes a matter of either honour or a matter of the frivolous name of the big house to show its power and influence in the area.

This cycle keeps on happening because the law is not equal for the rich, powerful and the common man. The rich and powerful manoeuvre the law from the “Thana” to the highest court either through influence or by appointing famous lawyers. They set up the foundation of the culture where law enforcers may it be police or judiciary – are set to be compromised. This enables the powerful elite to think that the law is not for them and they are truly Blue-blooded.

Read more: Judiciary ensuring justice through public interest litigation

A repetitive cycle of the rich getting away

Having said this, every six there is some hue and cry as some brat of a rich family commits a crime in the same class. It becomes a news item but after a while, everything is hushed up, be it twenty-three strikes with a knife or killing an innocent man by feudal or may it be women killed by an influential scholar. There are never reports that showcase that justice has prevailed and that these men have been punished.

The culture has not only been set but has also made the common man realise that the only way to fight this unjust cycle is by creating unions or associations. May it be lawyers, traders or doctors everyone knows that there is no law enforcement and the only way to get things done their way is by taking the law in one’s own hand and blackmailing the enforcers.

Read more: Long read: An insight on public procurement laws in Pakistan

From the beginning, women have been easy prey! The notion of being physically weak, allows men to not only rule but also dictate by utilising the excuse of religion and traditions to assist their cause. The liberty of women is inversely proportioned to religious extremism and taboos. However unfortunately, till date men have been using these tactics to not only devoid them of being human, but at the same time prevent them from being seen as equals.

Life long hardships for women

Being no profound law for the rich and famous, it has become easier to generate all kinds of atrocities against women. The culture is developed by these so-called Waderas, religious merchants and traditionalists. This culture of considering women as objects has seeped down in all areas and classes. Women are owned, possessed, may be loved also but never has been given respect of an equal.

Read more: Challenges faced by women police stations in Pakistan

If we were to carefully analyse, women empowerment is sieged primarily because of financial and landholding interests. Thus, they ensure women do not get an education or any form of interactions so that their rights to inheritance and equality can be exploited.The answer to all these unfortunate accidents which have become devastating headlines for a couple of days is the need for strict enforcement of the law and punishment for all.  The justice should be seen to happen and punishments need to be communicated through media.

At the same time, it is imperative that women are encouraged to not only get an education but also are made aware of their rights and their need as useful citizens contributing to all facets of life.  Its time where secondary education must be made compulsory specially for girls. The parliament must play its role and pass bills like domestic violence, underage marriage and women share among Government and corporate jobs.

Read more: Child abuse in Pakistan: A menace to society!

The early interaction with boys and curriculum where gender equality and respect are taught is a must for a civilized nation. The religious taboos and false superiority complex must be brainwashed from a very early age in every child. The women need to be hostage free from orthodoxy and must be given a friendly ecosystem.

The culture of objectifying women and rich getting scot-free must be eliminated rather courts and prosecution must punish the rich and influential to set examples. The society can only evolve if powerful law breakers must be put behind bars and masses start to believe there exist a Justice system which is fair to all!