PESHAWAR: The parents of child sexual abuse victims staged a hunger strike in front of the Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) Assembly in Peshawar on Wednesday to demand protection, strict regulation, and law enforcement amid an increasing number of cases reported in the province.
“For months we’ve been coming to the streets,” Shehnam Khan, the protest organizer, told Arab News, adding that there has been no reaction. “Because of this unethical behavior of our legislature and authorities, we decided to go on a hunger strike.” Until their demands are fulfilled.
"Publicly hang the killers of our children," reads one of the banners brought by parents protesting in front of the provincial assembly building in Peshawar on Feb. 19, 2002. (Supplied)
The protest comes days after a girl identified as Madiha, reportedly aged seven, was raped and murdered in the province’s Hangu district, and weeks after another seven-year-old, Hooz Noor, was raped and drowned in a water tank in Nowshera.
Noor’s father, Asjid Khan, 34, is among the protesting parents. “I know it will not return Hooz Noor to us. But to protect many more children, to save the country’s future, the government has to have a plan,” he said. “I know parents have their responsibilities, but we can’t stay at home all the time.”
According to police data, cases of child rape are on the rise. In 2019, 188 incidents were processed in the province, more than triple the number in 2015. Three children were raped and murdered last year. As in all cases, only two people were convicted – none for the murders – the protesting parents demand that the government finally act against impunity. “We demand protection for our children,” “Publicly hang the killers of our children,” read the banners they held.
Child rights activist Imran Takkar told Arab News parents it is obvious that parents are in despair if they have resorted to coming to Peshawar to mourn and tell lawmakers how dire the situation is in the province.
“There are sufficient sections in the KP Child Protection Act, but sloppy investigation and jirgas (councils of tribal elders), which reconcile offenders and victim families, prevent them from being implemented,” Takkar said.
“To contain further damage, not the parents but the state has to act against criminals and also provide legal, medical, and social support to victim families,” he said, adding that many cases remain unreported because of taboos and stigmatization.
Ijaz Muhammad, deputy chief of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission, said the government is aware of the increase of child sexual abuse cases and in working on changes to the law. “Everyone has children and that’s why all segments of the government machinery are working to end this menace.”
“To protect children, both government and opposition members of the provincial assembly are working on stricter law and in the next session its draft will be passed,” he added.
