2008-09-07 A real eye-opener

Like most people, I was aware of the media buzz surrounding the case of the gang rape of Pakistani, Mukhtar Mai. What I realise I had failed to grasp at that time, was the sheer scale of the problem of 'honour' punishments - rape, murder, or disfigurement of innocent women.

In the case of Mukhtar Mai, her 'punishment' was for a supposed indiscretion on the part of her 12 year old brother. In fact that misdemenour was fabricated as an excuse for the powerful family of the village to exact retribution regarding a land issue.
It would be expected for the victim to then commit suicide from shame and so the guilty parties walk free. MM, however, fought for justice, not just for herself but for all women.
When she received a sum of money as compensation, she decided to invest it in the education of the girls of her village and built a school that now educates 200 girls and 150 boys.

This is a lady worth great respect, her story is something we should all read and a cause we can all have great sympathy for.