[Test] What's New - Stop Violence Against Women

Domestic Violence

General Information Best Practices Law and Policy Ongoing Developments

Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking Overview Training and Advocacy Ongoing Developments Sex Trafficking and Safe Harbor Resource Pack

Sexual Harassment

General Information Training and Advocacy Law and Policy Ongoing Developments

Sexual Assault

General Information Advocacy and Training Law and Policy Ongoing Developments

Other Forms of Violence Against Women

Crimes Committed in the Name of "Honor" Dowry-Related Violence Female Environmental Refugees Female Genital Mutilation Femicide Forced and Early Marriage Forced/Coerced Sterilization Gender-Based Asylum Harmful Practices Indigenous Women Maltreatment of Widows Son Preference Violence Against LGBT Women Violence Against the Girl Child Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS Women and Armed Conflict Violence Against Women with Disabilities

Russian Site

Our Work

What's New

Archives 2003 Archives 2004 Archives 2005 Archives 2006

Advocacy Tools

Women's HR Training Human Rights Reporting Community Education Advocating for New Laws on Violence Against Women and Girls Women Human Rights Defenders and Safety

International Law

United Nations Systems European System

Expert's Corner

Make A Donation

Anti-Gender Developments

Pakistan: Five Acquitted in Gang-Rape Case

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Pakistani Supreme Court recently acquitted five of six men accused of the gang-rape of Mukhtar Mai. Mai, who was gang-raped as punishment for a sexual assault committed by her brother, raised charges against fourteen men in 2002. All fourteen were originally acquitted of all charges, though five of the men were eventually sentenced and remained in prison until this year.

Lawyers suggest that Mai’s age (32) and status as a divorced woman likely hurt her case – divorced women in Pakistan are typically viewed as sexually promiscuous and immoral. The human rights community has noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling is not unusual for Pakistan, where violence against women is widespread. Women like Mai face an additional hurdle as many Pakistanis believe that true victims will not report their rapes.

The judges’ ruling was said to have relied heavily on conjecture and misreading of the evidence, according to attorneys, who also believe that the ruling will be discouraging for other victims who considered Mai’s case a symbolic victory. Mai’s lawyer has appealed the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Compiled from: Ebrahim, Zofeen. IPS. Rape Victims Left Feeling Hopeless (16 May 2011).

For More Information

Please visit the Sexual Assault and Crimes Committed in the Name of "Honor" sections of this website.

In This Section

The Advocates for Human Rights Site Map About the Site

330 Second Avenue South, Suite 800, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA Phone: (612) 341-3302 Fax: (612) 341-2971 Email: hrights@advrights.org

Although Stop Violence Against Women endeavors to provide useful and accurate information, Stop Violence Against Women does not warrant the accuracy of the materials provided. Accordingly, this Web Site and its information are provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular use or purpose, or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. We reserve the right to make improvements and/or changes in the format and/or content of the information contained on the Web Site without notice.This information is provided with the understanding that Stop Violence Against Women and its partners are not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Copyright © 2018 The Advocates for Human Rights. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use this material for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution to The Advocates for Human Rights.