A 7 year old girl was raped, and murdered. Her body was thrown in a dumpster. At the time of this writing, this sexual predator, and murderer is still at large.
This is a developing story. This Reuters article provides a brief summary of the violent crime, and the aftermath. For opinions and updates, you can follow the hashtag #JusticeForZainab on Twitter.
Among murder, ineptitude of the government & law enforcement, and corruption; sexual violence, paedophilia, and violence against children are problems in Pakistan that are not talked about as often as they should be, let alone dealt with.
I attended a protest today as a part of the #JusticeForZainab movement.
The movement is calling out the government and law enforcement for their failure to protect its citizens from sexual predators, child pornographers, and murderers.
The movement is asking the citizens to be aware of the dangers of the society that they have created themselves.
The movement is asking the citizens to do more to prevent and protect each other (and children) from sexual violence, and murder.
The movement is asking the citizens to look around and see what they’ve become.
A section of this movement is calling for the sexual predator and murderer still at large, to be publicly hanged.
The protest I attended today was organized by said section of the movement.
If you find yourself believing what this section believes in, give me the courtesy of hearing me out:
I understand that the sexual predator and murderer has committed a heinous act. I understand that you are hurt. I understand that you are angry. I understand your rage. I understand that your blood is boiling, because my blood is boiling too.
I cannot even begin to imagine what Zainab must have gone through, or what her parents must be going through now. I pray and hope that none of us have to go through what Zainab went through or her parents are going through right now.
But calling for this sexual predator and murderer to be publicly hanged will not solve our problems. Sexual violence, paedophilia, child pornography, and violence against are problems that did not start with this one monster, and will not end with him either.
A public (or even private) act of death will not reduce the heinousness of the crimes already committed. It will not eradicate sexual violence. It will not put an end to paedophilia or violence against children. It will not make the government run any smoother. It will not be a victory for law enforcement.
Demanding more death will not stop murderers. We’ve been trying since 2014, remember?
Demanding more death will not rid us of our problems.
Demanding more death will not give us a better life.
Demanding more death will not earn us our humanity.
Call to Action
I want Justice For Zainab just as much as you do. Here are some alternatives that I feel might try to earn us our humanity:
- Talk about sexual violence, assault, and trauma in your circles. Educate yourselves and each other about the devastating effects these acts of violence have on us.
- Ask yourselves what are the things you can do in your current capacities, to make life better for each other?
- Don’t let anger and rage hijack moments of loss, and tragedies that show us how inhumane we’ve allowed ourselves to become.
- If you have had thoughts of committing acts of sexual violence, paedophilia, and/or murder. Please seek help.
- Do everything you can in 2018 to try to only elect government officials with their humanities intact.
