[DAWN] RAPE crimes remind us of both our failings as a society and the state's failure to appropriately exercise its executive and judicial functions to curb this crime of loathing and depravity. This article sheds light on the reasons for such a momentous failure which, predominantly, is the by-product of lack of education, the absence of awareness and ineffective law-enforcement mechanisms.Politicians and demagogues alike have repeatedly used the sanction and ready acceptance of misconstrued religious teachings to promote their own political ideologies and motives. Such is the captivation with faith that Paks en masse submit themselves to the averments of the pseudo-Islamic politician and are led astray without even attempting to consider the authenticity of the propagator's claims. This bolsters tribal customs and, effectively, the patriarchal construct of the society that supports inequality and the subjugation of women.
In 2006, president Musharraf was applauded for his efforts, as it was his regime's concept of 'enlightened moderation' that led to the new legislation to empower women. This transpired through the enactment of the Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006 (PWA), which, to the delight of civil society activists, after 27 years of struggle, amended the draconian Hudood Ordinances. By virtue of the amendment, rape now comes under Section 375 of the Pakistain Penal Code 1860 and removes the evidentiary requirement of four male eyewitnesses.