Rapport DAR-UL-AMAN SURVEY Healing the Wounds of Domestic Violence Project Médecins du Monde Pakistan - February 2007
MdM_report_Survey_Pakistan.pdf
INDEX
1. CONTEX 3
2. METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................... 5
3. GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE RESIDENTS ................................................................. 6
4. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE........................................................................................................ 14
5. PERSONAL SITUATION...................................................................................................... 18
6. LEGAL SITUATION.............................................................................................................. 22
7. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.......................................................................................... 25
8. LIFE IN THE DAR-UL-AMAN ............................................................................................... 26
9. PERSONAL PROJECT OF THE RESIDENTS ..................................................................... 32
CONC 35
Annexes... 36
1. CONTEXT
a. Introduction
Due to cultural, traditional and religious reasons, many women in Pakistan remain considered as “property” of the family and are faced with extreme violence within the domestic circle. Once married, women usually remain socially and economically dependent on their husband. Though the actual extent of domestic violence remains unknown, some studies suggest that between 70% and 90% of women in Pakistan are faced with physical, sexual or verbal abuse at home. Women who run away from domestic violence suffer from a bad reputation for not complying with prevailing family rules; retaliations can go up to death (“honor” killing).
Médecins du Monde, i.e. “Doctors of the World”, is an international humanitarian nongovernmental
organisation founded in 1980 which aims at providing care to the most vulnerable populations around the world. Médecins du Monde (MDM) has been working in Pakistan since 1996, with a special focus on the health and status of women and children.
From December 2003 to February 2004, MDM conducted an exploratory mission to assess possible interventions related to support for female victims of violence. This mission highlighted the urgent need to work within the governmental women shelter homes or Dar-ul-Amans (“house of peace”).
Most of the women residing in Dar-ul-Amans (DUA) fled their homes after years of domestic violence, and seek divorce, remarriage or just protection. They access these institutions, usually voluntarily and heavily traumatised, by court orders. However, the custodial control exercised over them, the difficult living conditions, as well as the deficit of appropriate services, have a negative impact on the psychological health of the residents.
A 9-month pilot project was undertaken by MDM in Sargodha DUA, in cooperation with local NGOs and the department of Social Welfare of Punjab. The current project was launched in October 2005 in the DUA of the districts Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, and will be gradually extended to 5 other districts of Punjab, totaling 8 DUA2. Our 3-year program aims at ensuring that the DUA provide a space where women can restore their dignity. We will provide medical and psychological aid, legal assistance, and activities to empower the women residing in DUA and to develop their skills. Their children will benefit from recreational and educational activities. Living conditions will be improved through building rehabilitation and equipments (beds, heaters, sanitation...). Particular attention will be paid to institutional capacity building through trainings to government staff (on domestic violence, family laws, counseling, shelter management…) and improvement of DUA procedures. To ensure the sustainability of the program, the program is implemented in close cooperation with the Social Welfare Department of Punjab and civil society (local NGOs, volunteers…).