DAR-UL-AMAN SURVEY

Healing the Wounds of Domestic Violence Project Mdecins du Monde Pakistan

February 2007

INDEX

1. CONTEXT............................................................................................................................... 3 2. METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................... 5

3. GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE RESIDENTS ................................................................. 6 4. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ........................................................................................................ 14 5. PERSONAL SITUATION ...................................................................................................... 18 6. LEGAL SITUATION.............................................................................................................. 22 7. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.......................................................................................... 25 8. LIFE IN THE DAR-UL-AMAN ............................................................................................... 26 9. PERSONAL PROJECT OF THE RESIDENTS ..................................................................... 32

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................... 35

Annexes................................................................................................................................... 36

1. CONTEXT
a. Introduction Due to cultural, traditional and religious reasons, many women in Pakistan remain considered as property of the family and are faced with extreme violence within the domestic circle. Once married, women usually remain socially and economically dependent on their husband. Though the actual extent of domestic violence remains unknown, some studies1 suggest that between 70% and 90% of women in Pakistan are faced with physical, sexual or verbal abuse at home. Women who run away from domestic violence suffer from a bad reputation for not complying with prevailing family rules; retaliations can go up to death (honor killing). Mdecins du Monde, i.e. Doctors of the World, is an international humanitarian nongovernmental organisation founded in 1980 which aims at providing care to the most vulnerable populations around the world. Mdecins du Monde (MDM) has been working in Pakistan since 1996, with a special focus on the health and status of women and children. From December 2003 to February 2004, MDM conducted an exploratory mission to assess possible interventions related to support for female victims of violence. This mission highlighted the urgent need to work within the governmental women shelter homes or Dar-ulAmans (house of peace). Most of the women residing in Dar-ul-Amans (DUA) fled their homes after years of domestic violence, and seek divorce, remarriage or just protection. They access these institutions, usually voluntarily and heavily traumatised, by court orders. However, the custodial control exercised over them, the difficult living conditions, as well as the deficit of appropriate services, have a negative impact on the psychological health of the residents. A 9-month pilot project was undertaken by MDM in Sargodha DUA, in cooperation with local NGOs and the department of Social Welfare of Punjab. The current project was launched in October 2005 in the DUA of the districts Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, and will be gradually extended to 5 other districts of Punjab, totaling 8 DUA2. Our 3-year program aims at ensuring that the DUA provide a space where women can restore their dignity. We will provide medical and psychological aid, legal assistance, and activities to empower the women residing in DUA and to develop their skills. Their children will benefit from recreational and educational activities. Living conditions will be improved through building rehabilitation and equipments (beds, heaters, sanitation...). Particular attention will be paid to institutional capacity building through trainings to government staff (on domestic violence, family laws, counseling, shelter management) and improvement of DUA procedures. To ensure the sustainability of the program, the program is implemented in close cooperation with the Social Welfare Department of Punjab and civil society (local NGOs, volunteers).

Ministry of Womens Development 1987 Battered Wives in Pakistan, NPA/CEDAW progress report; ADB July 2000 Women in Pakistan Country Briefing Paper 2 8 DUA were created from 1973 in Punjab by the Provincial Government, which is nowadays working on the establishment of 26 new DUAs in the Province

b. Geographical context Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, is estimated to have 7-9 million inhabitants. This makes it the second largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi. It is an ancient city, with many cultural and commercial activities. Faisalabad is the third largest city in Pakistan with an estimated 2006 population of 2.6 million. Faisalabad district, a centre of cotton and textile industries, is quite conservative in comparison with Lahore and Gujranwala districts. Religious influence is high. Gujranwala is an agricultural and industrial center. Because of a different cast system, women of northern Punjab, especially Gujranwala district, are more activist than in others parts of the province.

2. METHODOLOGY
a. Survey The objective of this survey was to have a clear picture of which girls and women are residing in the DUA, what are the paths they follow before arriving in the DUA and what are their needs inside the DUA. b. Respondents and sampling The respondents of this survey were the women living in the DUA of Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala at the time of the survey. The interviews were conducted between March and August 2006. Preference was given to the women who had been residing longest in the DUA. Women were free to refuse participation. The objective was to have 45 interviews per DUA. Dar-ul-Aman Lahore Faisalabad Gujranwala Number of interviews taken 46 48 42

c. Questionnaire design3 The questionnaire is divided in 7 sections in order to cover all aspects of the life of a resident of a DUA before her arrival and inside the DUA: General information of the woman Domestic violence Personal story Psychological problems Life in the DUA Security problems Personal future project Most were multiple-choice questions which the psychologist would tick; some paragraphs were fully narrative. d. Procedure The interviews were taken by the psychologists working full time in each DUA. Knowing already the residents, the rapport building was easier and facilitated the trust given by the women to the interviewers. Each questionnaire is confidential, the interviewer using a code client (same code client as for the psychological files) instead of a name, in order to respect confidentiality of the information. e. Limitations The women living in DUA are under pressure, not only from their families but also from the staff of the DUA. They are not used to speak freely; for most of them, it is the first time that they can speak openly with someone who will not judge them. Since trust takes time to build, it happens quite often that the women dont tell the real story at the first session with the psychologist. Session after session, the story changes and the truth comes out. The answers given by the women during the interviews may therefore not represent the reality of their situation all the time. Since three different psychologists took the interviews, some difference in interpretation may be present. The present survey shows the situation in the DUA under study between May 2006 and August 2006, therefore some issues may have changed by now.
3

Cf. Annex 1: Questionnaire

3. GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE RESIDENTS

a. Age of the residents
A ge
40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Figure 1: Age-wise repartition of the residents of Faisalabad DUA

Age

39 36 33 30 27 24 21 18 15 12 0 2 4 6 8 10

Figure 2: Age-wise repartition of the residents of Lahore DUA

Age

42 39 36 33 30 27 24 21 18 15 12 0 1 2 3 4 5

Figure 3: Age-wise repartition of the residents of Gujranwala DUA

Most of the women are between 16 and 30 years old with an average of 24 years old in Faisalabad, 25 in Gujranwala and 23 in Lahore. To take the decision to leave home and to leave everything behind to be able to start a new life is not easy. Women who have suffered violence their whole life will take this decision with more difficulties. Some women who leave their home have met somebody else, they are victims of domestic violence and realize that they want something different for their life, they want to escape or to know love. If a woman leaves the house, her family is considered as a bad family. For instance, it may have a repercussion on her married daughters, who will then be treated badly by her family in law.

b. Origin of the residents Except for one lady (from Karachi), the others were living in Punjab before their arrival to the DUA of Faisalabad. Half of them belong to Jhang district, close to Faisalabad4. According to the psychologist, women seeking shelter from Jhang district prefer to leave their district for security reasons, they are scared to meet their family if they stay in the same area. Another reason is that apparently, the DUA of Faisalabad is well known and popular in Jhang district. A new DUA has been implemented in Jhang district since July 2006 but the number of residents in Faisalabad DUA has not decreased, probably for reasons mentioned above. Lahore being the capital of Punjab, the residents of the DUA are coming from any district of the province5. The existence of the Data Darbar in Lahore, a shrine which has become a place of pilgrimage where people get shelter and food, attracts women who left their homes and seek shelter. In Gujranwala DUA, in the north-east of Punjab6, all women come from the same district. Women who are living in villages rarely leave their houses, because of family pressure and culture. If they intend to quit their in-laws home and dont have support from their parents, the only place to find shelter is in the cities. In the DUA of Faisalabad, 73% of the women belong to rural areas and 61% in the DUA of Lahore (Rural proportion in Punjab is 68.7%). The rate of Gujranwala is surprisingly low with 45%.

4 5

Cf. Map in annex 2: Origin of the residents of the DUA of Faisalabad Cf. Map in annex 2: Origin of the residents of the DUA of Lahore 6 Cf. Map in annex: Origin of the residents of the DUA of Gujranwala

c. Education level Areas Pakistan Lahore Faisalabad Jhang Gujranwala Literacy rates 46% 64.7% 51.9% 37.1% 56.6%

Table 1: Literacy rates, 10 years and above, Government of Punjab, 2003

Prim ary 8%

Middle 4% High 4%

Illiterate 84%

Figure 4: Education level of the residents in Faisalabad DUA

Middle 7% High 9% Interm ediate 2% FA/FSc 2% BA/BSc 4% Illiterate 58% MA/MSc 2%

Prim ary 16%

Figure 5: Education level of the residents in Lahore DUA

BA/BSc, 2% High, 10% Middle, 10%

Prim ary, 17%

Illiterate, 62%

Figure 6: Education level of the residents in Gujranwala DUA

By illiterate, we mean that the women have never been to school; some may know how to write their name. Even if it is not rare to find girls schools in villages, parents from traditional families rarely send their daughters to school. If they decide to give education to the girls, they often prefer to give them religious education in the local mosque. In many governmental schools in rural areas children are treated badly and beaten regularly. The less a woman is educated, the more difficult it will be for her to manage leaving her family or family-in-law. Moreover in traditional families, it is hardly accepted that a woman leaves her husband, even in cases of extreme violence by the latter.

d. Occupation and main source of income Percentage of females employed among total people employed 15% Main occupation of females employed Craft and related trade workers (29%) Service workers/Shop sale workers (20%) Skilled agriculture/Fishery workers (53%) Elementary occupation (25%)
7

Areas

Punjab Urban Punjab Urban

30%

Table 2: Repartition of females employed among total people employed, 2002

Women, especially those belonging to rural areas, usually stay at home to take care of the family. If they need to earn money to be able to survive, they may start a little business like stitching or embroidery. In villages, women may work as servant in the landlords houses. The main industrial sector in Faisalabad is textile and cotton culture, so many women work for textile companies.

Household Integrated Economic Survey realized by Federal Bureau of Statistics in 2001-2002

Servant 6%

Farm ing 13%

House 38%

Vocational 2% Em ployee 10%

Business 31%

Figure 7: Main occupation and source of income Faisalabad DUA

Servant 11% Farm ing 2% House 51% Business 20%

Em ployee 7% Student 9%

Figure 8: Main occupation and source of income Lahore DUA

Servant, 5% Business, 7% Em ployee, 2% House, 74% Civil, 5% Student, 7%

Figure 9: Main occupation and source of income Gujranwala DUA

10

e. Family income Areas Punjab Urban Punjab Rural Average monthly income per household 10127 rupees8 5965 rupees

Table 4: Average monthly income in rupees per household

In Faisalabad DUA, 55% of the residents have a monthly family income of less than 3000 rupees. However, in villages, most families have a garden where they grow vegetables and rice. Families working for landlords receive food and clothes in addition to salary. In Lahore and Gujranwala DUA, where the origin of the residents is less rural comparatively to Faisalabad, the average monthly family income is higher.

5000-10000 10%

>10000 2%

3000-5000 33%

<3000 55%

Figure 10: Monthly income of residents family in Faisalabad DUA, in rupees

>10000 19%

<3000 26%

5000-10000 32%

3000-5000 23%

Figure 11: Monthly income of residents family in Lahore DUA, in rupees

Exchange rate: 1 = 78 Pakistani Rupees, source Dawn Newspaper 11 Feb 2007

11

>10000 14%

<3000 26%

5000-10000 24%

3000-5000 36%

Figure 12: Monthly income of residents family in Gujranwala DUA, in rupees

f.

Marital status

Communities can generally be divided into two categories: those which practice dowry at the time of marriage and those which practice bride-price. Dowry is counted as those things which the bride brings with her to the marriage, usually jewelry and furniture. Dowry may financially ruin poor families with many daughters. Bride-price is practiced in certain ethnic groups (eg. Pashtun) and in lower classes when parents are not able to pay dowry. The bride-price is determined keeping in view a number of factors: age and beauty of the bride and the socio-economic status of the families. Once the bride-price has been paid, the woman becomes the property of her in-laws; her children also become the property of their fathers family. This practice emphasizes the dependency of the woman towards her husband and her status as a property. 38% of women in Faisalabad DUA have been sold or their family has practiced bride price. The rate in Gujranwala is also quite high, 20% of the residents have been sold by their family at the time of their marriage. In Lahore DUA, bride price or selling concerns only 5% of the women. In Pakistan, the average age at first marriage of women is 22 years9. This average age is much lower for the residents of Dar-ul-Amans: in Lahore, the average age at first marriage is 16.4 years, in Gujranwala 16.7 years and in Faisalabad, 16.6 years

In all three DUA, a large majority of women (73-84%) is married, and around 10% was living separately from her husband prior to coming to the DUA. The married girls and women in DUA are there either to get divorce, or they are hiding from their families in case they have married a person of their own choice. 7-21% of the women living in DUA is already divorced. Some of them are waiting for the period of iddat, which is a period specified in the Koran during which a woman is forbidden to re-marry, i.e. 90 days after notification of the divorce. Some others are in the DUA for the custody of the children after getting divorced.

Pakistan Demographic Survey 1999 & 2000, Federal Bureau of Statistics

12

g. Types of marriages
Child 9% Love 7% Arranged 13% Exchange 20%

Forced 51%

Figure 16: Types of marriage of residents in Faisalabad DUA

Child 18%

Love 16%

Exchange 11% Arranged 26%

Forced 29%

Figure 17: Types of marriage of residents in Lahore DUA

Child, 3% Exchange, 13%

Love, 13%

Arranged, 26%

Forced, 45%

Figure 18: Types of marriage of residents in Gujranwala DUA

13

Even if under the law and the principles of Muslim jurisprudence, the bride and groom should freely consent to marry each other, the percentage of the residents who have been married by force is quite high (forced marriages include child marriages): 60% in Faisalabad, 47% in Lahore and 48% in Gujranwala. The high percentage of forced marriage in the DUA underlines forced marriage as a risk factor for violence against women. 11-20% of the women in DUA contracted an exchange marriage, known as watta satta in Punjab: a girl and a boy from one family are married to a boy and a girl from another family. This kind of marriage is considered strong, and it allows families to avoid paying either brideprice or dowry. Child marriage is against the law but still exists in Pakistan; 18% of the residents of Lahore DUA have undergone child marriage. Pakistani law accepts as legally valid a marriage of a minor contracted by the parents but the girl or the boy can exercise option of puberty, and seek dissolution of marriage. Girl can exercise this option on attaining the age of 16 (and before she is 18) provided the marriage was not consummated.

4.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
a. Types of domestic violence Domestic violence means any abuse, which takes place within the family and the home. The types of domestic abuses are: Emotional or verbal abuse: Mental, psychological, or emotional abuse can be verbal or nonverbal. While physical abuse might seem worse, the scars of verbal and emotional abuse are deep. Studies show that verbal or nonverbal abuse can be much more emotionally damaging than physical abuse. It includes threatening, destruction of the victims personal property, screaming, making fun of, isolation from family and friends, blaming, etc. Physical abuse is the use of physical force against another person in a way that ends up injuring the person, or puts the person at risk of being injured. Physical abuse includes pushing, throwing, kicking, slapping, beating, tripping, grabbing, confinement, breaking bones, assault with a weapon, burning, murder. Sexual abuse is forcing someone to participate in unwanted, unsafe or degrading sexual activity. It includes sexual harassment and sexual exploitation. Economic abuse includes withholding economic resources or physical resources such as food, clothes or shelter, or exploiting the partners resources for personal gain.

According to the law10, inflicting an injury is a crime even if done by a relative, and a case may be registered in court against the relative. At the same time, police and the judiciary system are reluctant to interfere in family matters and usually pressurize the woman to reconcile with her perpetrators. Likewise, a woman complaining to her relatives about her husbands behavior is usually told to compromise. Although domestic violence seems to be common across the country and in many communities it is accepted as an inevitable part of relationships within the family, it is not a topic people are willing to discuss. Domestic abuse is considered a private matter.

10

Offences Against Human Body: all fall under the Qisas and Diyat Ordinance (1991)

14

Sexual

Econom ical

Physical

Verbal/Em otional

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 1: Type of domestic violence suffered by the residents in Faisalabad DUA

Sexual

Econom ical

Physical

Verbal/Em otional

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Figure 2: Type of domestic violence suffered by the residents in Lahore DUA

Econom ical

Sexual

Physical

Verbal/Em otional

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Figure 3: Type of domestic violence suffered by the residents in Gujranwala DUA

15

In the DUAs under study, more than 90% of the women have been victim of various forms of domestic violence. On average, 86% of the residents have been victim of physical violence. Most of them are beaten with hands, feet and sticks, some have injured with knives. One woman has been burnt, one threatened with a gun and one received electric shocks. Most of the victims were beaten several times a week. Rare are the cases of women beaten once or few times.

b. Relationship with the abusers

Father, 11 Mother, 2

Brother, 12

Brother in law , 5 Uncle, 3 N. Relatives, 2

Husband, 39

Figure 4: Number of women victim of domestic violence and their abusers in Faisalabad DUA

N. Relatives, 1 Uncle, 5 Mother in law , 6 Father in law , 1 Brother in law , 11 Husband, 26

Brother, 7 Mother, 8

Father, 8

Figure 5: Number of women victim of domestic violence and their abusers in Lahore DUA

16

N. Relatives, 3 Uncle, 3 Mother in law , 3 Father in law , 3 Brother in law , 1 Husband, 30

Brother, 13

Mother, 3 Father, 11

Figure 6: Number of women victim of domestic violence and their abusers in Gujranwala DUA

Half of the women interviewed were victim of domestic violence from several abusers (husband+brother in law, father+brother, etc.). Physical violence of the interviewed women was perpetrated mainly by the husband. Many women succumbed also violence from the others members of the family (brothers, brothers in law, etc.). In 13% of the cases, women have been victims of physical abuse by other women (mother, mothers in law, aunt, etc.)

c. Sexual violence and forced prostitution Between 27-43% of the DUA residents have suffered sexual violence prior to coming to the DUA. Sexual violence in the study was perpetrated in 72% by the husband, 16% by other males of the family and 12% by non relatives. Forced sexual intercourse within marriage in Pakistan is excluded from the definition of rape11. Therefore, the percentage of sexual abuse might be higher since women are not aware that they are victims of sexual violence when being forced to have sex with their husband. The majority of victims of sexual abuse were suffering since more then 3 years and several times a week. 35% of the residents of Gujranwala DUA, 25% in Faisalabad and 7% in Lahore have been forced to prostitution by their husband or by their family. We find this habit mainly when the husband is without economic resources and/or drug addict, he prostitutes his wife to satisfy his addiction. It is usually organized at home and between friends. It has also to be noted that we met a few cases of residents who formerly belonged to a prostitution network and were hiding from their pimp. Among the women declaring prostitution forced upon them by their family, there could be women involved in a network but who did not dare explaining the true story. Forced prostitution contributes to the image of the Dar-ul-Aman residents as destitute, worthless women.

11

Hudood Ordinances (1979)

17

5. PERSONAL SITUATION
a. Children 52% of the women living in Faisalabad DUA, 46% in Lahore and 45% in Gujranwala have children. Only 21-37% of the women have one or more of their children with them in the DUA. Many women intend to ask the custody of their children once the divorce will be notified.

b. Path followed by women after leaving home 30% of the women in Faisalabad, 29% in Gujranwala and 22% in Lahore have left their home previously, some of them more than once. They then went back to their (in-laws) home either because they believed in a changes or because they have been forced to return home.
Judge 2% Past experience 4% Media 4%

Law yer 40%

Fam ily/Friend 50%

Figure 1: Who informed the residents of Faisalabad about the Dar-ul-Aman

Other shelter 2% Judge 12% Media 2% Police 5%

Law yer 22%

Fam ily/Friend 57%

Figure 2: Who informed the residents of Lahore about the Dar-ul-Aman

18

Law yer 31%

Dr/Hospital 2% Past experience 2% Judge 7% Police 2%

Fam ily/Friend 56%

Figure 3: Who informed the residents of Gujranwala about the Dar-ul-Aman

52% of women in Faisalabad have reached the DUA within the day after leaving their home, 35% between 2 and 4 days, for the remaining women it took up to a month. In Lahore, 35% of women reached the DUA within the day and 22% between 2 and 4 days. 3 out of 46 women said that they did not agree with the decision of the judge of being sent to the DUA. In Gujranwala, only 14% of the residents have reached the DUA within the day and 17% between 2 and 4 days; for the other women it took more time. 1 woman did not agree with the decision of the judge to go to the DUA. Most of them know via the family or their lover the existence of the DUA. In many cases, their departure from the house is pre-organized and once the request to go to the DUA is at the Court, the procedure is fast, the woman can reach the DUA on the same day.

Path

Number of cases

The first place they went after leaving their house Family 8 Non relative 26 Court or Lawyer 9 Police 3 Hospital 1 Any time later, before arriving in DUA Family 9 Non relative 26 Court or Lawyer 47 Police 10 Hospital 2 Table 1: Most common paths followed by the residents of Faisalabad after leaving home

Path The first place they went after leaving their house Family

Number of cases

14 19

Non relative 9 Court or Lawyer 7 Police 1 Hospital 2 Data Darbar 7 Any time later, before arriving in DUA Family 17 Non relative 10 Court or Lawyer 37 Police 5 Hospital 2 Data Darbar 10 Table 2: Most common paths followed by the residents of Lahore after leaving home

Path

Number of cases

The first place they went after leaving their house Family 20 Non relative 16 Court or Lawyer 2 Police 3 Hospital 0 Data Darbar 1 Any time later, before arriving in DUA Family 20 Non relative 30 Court or Lawyer 40 Police 13 Hospital 1 Data Darbar 1 Table 3: Most common paths followed by the residents of Gujranwala after leaving home

Immediately after leaving their house, DUA women mostly went to either a familys or a nonrelatives house. Non-relative may be a female school friend or a lover. At Lahore DUA, some women have been sent directly to the DUA by the governmental Women Center. These centers have the capacity and authority to refer women to the DUA without an authorization from the judge. Few women however are aware of this possibility.

There is an urgent need to define a focus point in Pakistan where any female victim of violence could go. Panah or Women Centers could be the focus points to refer women to DUA.

20

c. Expected time in DUA

4 1 6 7 days 14 days 21 days 30 days 60 days 3 1 90 days don't know

31

Figure 4: Expected time in the DUA declared by the residents of Faisalabad (in number of women) 65% of the women in Faisalabad, 63% in Lahore and 83% in Gujranwala do not know how much time they expect to stay at the DUA. This uncertainty much contributes to their stress while living in the shelter.

d. Passage through Police Station Once the judge takes the decision to send a woman to the DUA, the transportation and the escort are under the responsibility of the police. Even if it is prohibited, it is not rare for policemen to ask money from the woman with the threat to keep her in the police station if she refuses. In police stations, women are often victim of physical and/or sexual abuse. Although in theory women can ask ordinary police stations to help them in the event of domestic violence, few women feel comfortable with this approach. In Faisalabad, 10 women have been to the police station before reaching the DUA, 5 of them only because they refused to give money to the policemen for the transportation. Only 1 woman has registered an FIR12. In Lahore, 5 women have been to the police station before reaching the DUA. None of them has registered an FIR. In Gujranwala, it is an entirely different picture: 13 women (31%) have been to the police station and 12 registered an FIR. This figure can be explained by two reasons; either the police station is much better or the women insist on their right to register an FIR. Women Police Stations exist, which are staffed entirely by policewomen and where women can go for the registration of FIRs. In the case of domestic violence, also Women Police stations tend to mediate between husband and wife rather than offering the wife protection. For the time being, the Women Police stations only exist in the big cities. A clear procedure to receive female victims of violence should be implemented in police stations, with specific trainings to police officers.

12

FIR: First Information Report: police report needed to file a criminal case in Court

21

6. LEGAL SITUATION
a. Court cases 90% of the residents of Gujranwala DUA and 83% in Faisalabad DUA have a case in Court, against 61% in Lahore.
Adultery

FIR

Children custody

Life protection

Divorce

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Figure Types of cases of DUA residents in Faisalabad Court

5:

Life protection

Adultery

Divorce

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Figure 6: Types of cases of DUA residents in Lahore Court

22

Children custody

Life protection

Adultery

FIR

Divorce

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Figure 7: Types of cases of DUA residents in Gujranwala Court

Divorce: The study has demonstrated in previous chapters that the combination of forced marriage and domestic violence are the main factors for a woman to leave her house. Although women who face domestic problems are generally advised to maintain harmony at all costs, there is a rising number of divorces initiated by women13. A wife can dissolve her marriage unilaterally without having to go to the Court, only if the husband in the nikahnama14 has unconditionally delegated the right of divorce to her, this is the Talaq-i-Tafweez. Both the brides family and her in-laws tend to deny the woman this right by striking the clause out when filling the nikahnama. None of the residents of the DUA seeking divorce had the Talaq-i-Tawfeez in their nikahnama, and as a consequence all of them had to go to the Court to ask for divorce. Other forms of dissolution of marriage which the wife can use are khula and judicial divorce. These both have to be sought through the Family Court. Khula is a divorce initiated by the wife. According to Muslim jurisprudence and the law of Pakistan, a woman may ask the court to dissolve her marriage when, from her point of view (and within the limits prescribed by Koran), she can no longer live with her husband. Khula is usually the quickest and easiest dissolution of a marriage. Judicial divorce, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act; under this Act, the wife initiates the dissolution of marriage but regards the husband at fault like mental abuse, habitual assault, forces wife to lead immoral life etc. The advantage is that her right to her dower will not be affected but the case may take much longer since the evidences are difficult to gather. In rural areas, judicial divorce and khula are not common but more prevalent among lower income groups where it can occur without much social stigma (0.4% of women divorced in urban areas against 0.5% in rural areas, Census report of Pakistan, 1998). In general, divorce continues to be rare and a divorced person is considered as having disrupted the established social order.

13 14

Women & Law Pakistan by Shirkat Gah Contract of marriage

23

Life protection: There are 7 cases in Court for life protection in Faisalabad, 1 in Lahore and 4 in Gujranwala. A woman can ask the judge for protection because she has life threats; usually it is the case of love marriages against the will of her family. The advantage is that the names of the persons who give threats to the woman are registered in Court. In that case, the judge can warn the abusers that if something happens to the woman, they will have to pay a certain amount of money. While the number of women in DUA who receive life threats from their family is very high, the number of them having a life protection case is quite low. Women are not informed by judges or lawyers about the possibility to take action in Court against their abusers. Custody of children: 2 women in Faisalabad and 1 in Gujranwala have a case in court to get custody of their children at the time of their demand for divorce. More women plan to file a case for the custody after divorce, once they will leave the DUA. Adultery under Hudood Ordinance: Only 1 woman in Faisalabad and Lahore and 8 in Gujranwala have reported having a case against them in Penal Court for adultery. The National Commission on Status of Women however states that 50% of the residents of DUA are implicated in Hudood cases, and this figure corresponds to our own estimations. The Hudood Ordinances is a set of laws which enforces punishments for crimes such as adultery, rape and theft. It was enacted in 1979. The Hudood Ordinance criminalizes all extramarital sex; when a raped woman is unable to prove the offense, she may be prosecuted for adultery. Usually, Hudood cases are instigated against a woman by her own family, for getting married with someone of her own choice; the family will claim that she was already married to someone else. If the woman returns to her parents home, they will cancel the accusation, otherwise, she may be sent to jail. b. Lawyers All the women interviewed who have a Court case for divorce have a lawyer, with the exception of some women in Gujranwala DUA. However, very few women have met their lawyer inside the DUA, and even fewer are informed about the proceedings of their legal cases. In many cases, the lawyer who helps them to be admitted to the DUA is not the same who later will take care of the divorce. Once a woman lives inside the DUA, often her lawyer never shows up again; it is then the responsibility of the superintendent to contact a new lawyer. It is also the superintendent who deals directly with lawyers when they come to the DUA to see their clients the woman then may or may not be informed about her case by the superintendent. The majority of DUA residents say to pay for their lawyer. Many women however have no idea about what they had to pay; probably her lover paid. 4 women in Lahore have paid their lawyer in gold; the value being estimated at 7000 rupees. In Faisalabad however, women estimate the lawyers cost at 15000 PKR. This last figure is surprising since the incomes of the residents family are low: we can wonder how a woman can pay 15 000 rupees with family incomes lower than 3000 rupees a month. The residents of Dar-ul-Amans lack information about their legal situation. 24

7. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
a. Psychological disorders and fears Main Psychological disorders Number of cases Psychosomatic complains 6 Sadness 18 Anxiety 17 Sleeping disorder 1 Table 1: Repartition of the main psychological problems in Faisalabad DUA15 Main Psychological disorders Number of cases Psychosomatic complains 1 Sadness 2 Anxiety 11 Sleeping disorder 1 Behavioral disorder 1 Table 2: Repartition of the main psychological problems in Lahore DUA Main Psychological disorders Number of cases Psychosomatic complains 3 Sadness 12 Anxiety 6 Hyper vigilance 1 Table 3: Repartition of the main psychological problems in Gujranwala DUA

In each Dar-ul-Aman, there should be a post for a full-time psychologist.

Main Fears, troubles16 Number of women Life threats 24 Children/Custody 18 Divorce 15 Medical/Pregnancy 5 Future 9 Table 4: Repartition of the main fears, troubles feel of the residents of Faisalabad Main Fears, troubles Number of women Life threats 4 Children/Custody 14 Divorce 4 Medical/Pregnancy 5 Future 15 Table 5: Repartition of the main fears, troubles feel of the residents of Lahore Main Fears, troubles Number of women Life threats 20 Children/Custody 10 Divorce 27 Medical/Pregnancy 7 Future 23 Table 6: Repartition of the main fears, troubles feel of the residents of Gujranwala
15 16

Clients followed between August and September 2006. These answers were given spontaneously by the women at the question what are your fears?

25

b. Suicide 61% of the women in Faisalabad have ever attempted suicide against 26% in Lahore and 19% in Gujranwala. Some of them have tried more then once, and once inside the DUA many women continue to have suicidal ideations. After having suffered many years of domestic violence, women lose their self-esteem. When moreover upon leaving their homes they become heavily stigmatized, suicide seems the only way out of their double misery. Their suicide attempts are a sign of profound despair. Suicide is considered a crime in Islam.

8. LIFE IN THE DAR-UL-AMAN

a. Living conditions In Faisalabad DUA women stay in average 3.6 months, in Gujranwala 2.2 months and in Lahore only 1 month. Very few women state to have received information about DUA rules at their arrival. Degree of satisfaction Number of women Very good 0 Good 1 Average 38 Weak 7 Very weak 0 Table 1: Degree of satisfaction about the DUA of Faisalabad Degree of satisfaction Number of women Very good 5 Good 19 Average 12 Weak 7 Very weak 2 Table 2: Degree of satisfaction about the DUA of Lahore Degree of satisfaction Number of women Very good 14 Good 19 Average 8 Weak 1 Very weak 0 Table 3: Degree of satisfaction about the DUA of Gujranwala The degree of satisfaction may be linked to the feeling of security inside the DUA.

Relationship between women Degree of relationship Number of women Very good 0 Good 17 Average 29 Weak 1 Very weak 0 Table 4: Degree of relationship between women in the DUA of Faisalabad Degree of relationship Number of women 26

Very good 2 Good 12 Average 25 Weak 7 Very weak 0 Table 5: Degree of relationship between women in the DUA of Lahore Degree of relationship Number of women Very good 1 Good 27 Average 11 Weak 3 Very weak 0 Table 6: Degree of relationship between women in the DUA of Gujranwala

Women currently have no freedom of movement, and may leave the DUA only after Court orders. For many years, DUA management has confused offering protection with imposing confinement. With such a high number of residents confined in a locked area, it is difficult to avoid quarrels. It also happens that residents beat another resident; it was the case for example when one of the ladies was mentally sick, or another ran away. This violence seems the only way for the residents to express their stress. Group therapy organized by the psychologists contributes to decrease stress lived by the residents. Freedom of movement being a human right, women seeking shelter should be offered sufficient space and there should be no custodial control imposed over them.

Bedding In Faisalabad, the sleeping conditions are worst of the three DUA of this survey: there are only 3 bedrooms for an average of 45 women and 10 children. 92% of the residents say sharing their single bed with another woman. The other 8% of the women sleep with their children in the same bed. MDM provided for the quilts, bed sheets, mattresses and beds but because of the lack of space, sleeping conditions have not improved. In Lahore, 24% of the women declared sharing the bed with another woman. This DUA is big, with 5 large bed rooms for an average of 35 women and 8 children. In Gujranwala, 64% said sharing their bed and 3 women said to sleep on the floor. MDM has provided 20 beds in July 2006 to solve the problem.

Food The budget allocated by each District is officially 50 rupees per resident per day. In practice, some DUA receive less money, especially in case of an unforeseen rise in number of residents. In Faisalabad, DUA residents get only one meal per day. If some of them have money, they can ask the guards or peons to buy food items for them. In Lahore, nobody had to pay to get food. Although residents get 3 meals per day, the quantity and quality of food supplied is not varied enough according to the nutritional scale (cf. nutritional survey realized by Dr. Seriana, March 2006). In Gujranwala, 36% have paid to get some extra food items. Residents get 3 meals per day and in average the quality is good. The superintendent gets some extra food from some private donors. There is an urgent need for each district to allocate a nutritional budget to each Darul-Aman according to the actual number of its residents, and to follow nutritional standards. 27

Water and sanitation There is no restriction in term of access to the bathroom for all DUAs. For the drinking water, the access to the water cooler is impossible at night for Faisalabad and Lahore DUAs but the women manage to take some bottles with them for the night. MDM provided a water cooler for Gujranwala DUA and replaced the water pump in Faisalabad.

Phone In the DUA, residents are not allowed to receive personal phone calls, even when this call is from the lawyer about their Court case; the superintendent or other staff take the message for the residents and then inform them or not. In some DUA, women can make phone calls after paying a fee decided by the superintendent or other staff present. There is a need for the Dar-ul-Aman residents to be allowed communication with family, lawyer, etc. The installation of a PCO17 in each DUA would facilitate communication.

Visits All visitors must obtain permission from a magistrate to visit a woman. Some women stated that their visitors who had official permission were allowed a visit only after having been bribed by the DUA staff. Most of the women know that they are allowed to receive visitors but in some DUA, residents state it is the superintendent or the judge who decides whether or not to allow the visits. Also in certain DUA, women claim not being able to refuse to meet a visitor; this is a very dangerous situation in case of life threats. DUA do not have any uniform guidelines about visitors, and procedures depend mostly on the personality of the superintendent.

There is a need to design and implement clear guidelines for Dar-ul-Aman management and to inform all residents of the rules and regulations upon arrival in the Dar-ul-Aman.

Going out Currently there are only two reasons for which a resident may be permitted to go out of the DUA: 1) to go to the Court for a hearing or 2) to go to the doctor / hospital. Permission to go out of the DUA is subject to approval of the Superintendent and the judge, making the whole process vulnerable for random treatment or bribery. 60% of the women interviewed in Faisalabad and 83% in Gujranwala have been out of the DUA since their arrival but only accompanied by a policeman. Since the turnover of women is higher in Lahore, fewer women have left that DUA to visit Court or a doctor.

b. Staff
17

PCO : Public Call Office

28

Composition of the DUA staff Position Number Superintendent 1 Clerk 1 Computer operator 1 Handicraft teacher 1 Religious teacher 1 Peon 3 Sweeper 0 Security guard/Gatekeeper 2 Driver 1 Table 7: Composition of the DUA staff in Faisalabad Position Number Superintendent 1 Clerk 1 Computer operator 0 Handicraft teacher 2 Religious teacher 1 Peon 2 Sweeper 1 Security guard/Gatekeeper 3 Driver 1 Table 8: Composition of the DUA staff in Lahore Position Number Superintendent 1 Clerk 1 Computer operator 0 Handicraft teacher 1 Religious teacher 1 Peon 3 Sweeper 1 Security guard/Gatekeeper 2 Driver 0 Table 9: Composition of the DUA staff in Gujranwala Behavior of the staff Governmental staff of DUA is not trained in working with victims of violence. The women living in DUA are often stigmatized and pressurized by the staff, who considers the residents as bad women for having left their homes and families. In the 3 DUA, the psychologists report cases of violence by the staff against the residents; women beaten, forced to meet a visitor, forced to work, forced to go back to their families, forced to give money, etc. We should mention here also that the staff itself is victim of violence. Apart from the above conceptual violence, which makes them consider their job as a punishment, it is not rare for a superintendent to receive threats from the family of a resident. The superintendent may also be victim of verbal and emotional violence from judges and other authorities. There is a need to sensitize all Dar-ul-Aman staff domestic violence and gender issues.

29

c. Medical problems 71% of the residents in Faisalabad declared having medical problems against 50% in Lahore and 29% in Gujranwala. Symptoms/Pain Number of cases Fever 19 Stomach 7 Headache 2 Cough 2 Itching 2 Gynecological problems 2 Table 10: Most commons medical complains declared by the residents of Faisalabad Symptoms/Pain Number of cases Fever 1 Stomach 3 Headache 0 Cough 0 Itching 5 Gynecological problems 9 Table 11: Most commons medical complains declared by the residents of Lahore Symptoms/Pain Number of cases Fever 1 Stomach 4 Headache 1 Cough 0 Itching 0 Gynecological problems 3 Table 12: Most commons medical complains declared by the residents of Gujranwala

There is no doctor coming on a regular basis at the Faisalabad and Gujranwala DUA. In case of medical problems, women are sent to the dispensary close to the DUA and in case of emergency, they are sent by the superintendent to the hospital, but this happens only in case of severe medical problems. 19% of the women state having received care, and 25% in Gujranwala and 50% in Faisalabad declared having paid for the consultations or medicines. In Lahore, with the weekly visit of a MDM volunteer medical doctor the situation is different. 78% of the residents said that they have access to care for day-to-day problems. However in case of a medical emergency, the situation is not better than in the other DUAs.

Access to the regular medical care should be integrated in the DUA guidelines, including a protocol to deal with medical emergencies.

30

d. Expected changes

We asked to the residents what kind of changes they would like to see in the DUA:
Fam ily m ediation Activities Legal aid Sleeping conditions Visits I don't know Arrange m arriage Phone Food Job Medical care Freedom 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Figure 1: Expected changes on the DUA of Faisalabad declared by the residents

Visits Sleeping conditions Medical care Fam ily m ediation Arrange m arriage Activities Job Legal aid I don't know Freedom Phone Food 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Figure 2: Expected changes on the DUA of Lahore declared by the residents

31

Fam ily m ediation I don't know Arrange m arriage Job Visits Food Medical care Sleeping conditions Legal aid Activities Phone Freedom 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Figure 3: Expected changes on the DUA of Gujranwala declared by the residents

80% of the residents of Faisalabad, 61% in Lahore and 78% in Gujranwala have threats from their family but still, 40%- 60% would feel safe to go out of the DUA if they were allowed to. A majority of women quote freedom as their main wish for Dar-ul-Aman improvement. Women say feeling prisoners and being treated like criminals. Freedom of movement should be integrated in new Dar-ul-Aman management guidelines.

9. PERSONAL PROJECT OF THE RESIDENTS

a. Where to live after the DUA
New husband 8% Independent 13% Husband 4% Parents 4% Relatives 10% Friends 2%

Lover 59%

Figure 1: Places where the residents intend to live after leaving Faisalabad DUA

32

Other shelter 2% Independent 26%

Husband 14%

Parents 12%

New husband 5% Lover 9% Friends 5% Relatives 27%

Figure 2: Places where the residents intend to live after leaving Lahore DUA
New husband, 7% Independent, 12% Lover, 49% Other shelter, 7% Husband, 2%

Parents, 12% Relatives, 10%

Figure 3: Places where the residents intend to live after leaving Gujranwala DUA

In Pakistan, a woman living alone is not accepted socially. After years in an abusive relationship a woman should naturally be reluctant to remarry; in Pakistan, women hardly have another option, which is probably why so many DUA residents have a lover. The majority of the women want to live with their new husband or their lover; actually, after leaving their previous marriage or house, and through counseling, some of them become more conscious and are able to speak about their own choices. In Lahore, the opportunities to get a job are higher and may therefore be easier for a woman alone to live independently.

b. What to do after the DUA

I don't know Study House Custody Work Rem arried 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Figure 4: Personal projects of the residents of Faisalabad after leaving the DUA

33

Study Rem arried I don't know House Custody Work 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Figure 5: Personal projects of the residents of Lahore after leaving the DUA

House

Study

Work

I don't know

Rem arried

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Figure 6: Personal projects of the residents of Gujranwala after leaving the DUA

The main wish of the residents is either to work or to be remarried. Some women expressed the two possibilities together.

The Dar-ul-Amans should provide safe shelter and an opportunity for women to recover, learn skills and reconsider their lives.

34

CONCLUSION
The survey has shown us that a large majority of the girls and women residing in the Dar-ulAmans have been victim of various forms of domestic violence, including sexual violence. Many of them have undergone forced marriage and/or have been married at a very young age. The basic human rights of space and nutrition are not fulfilled in most Dar-ul-Amans. There is an urgent need to improve living circumstances and provide food in sufficient quantity and quality. The needs most often expressed by the women residing in Dar-ul-Amans were freedom of movement and communication, as well as medical care, legal services and job training activities. The uncertainty of their personal situation, i.e. divorce and the fate of their children, combined with life-threats make these women prone to depression and anxiety. The conditions of women living in DUAs demonstrate that control over the womens lives is shifted from families to shelter management. There is a need to train and sensitize Dar-ulAman staff and to design and implement new guidelines for Dar-ul-Aman management.

35

ANNEX 1: Questionnaire for Women Living in Dar-ul-Aman

Date: _________

Name of Shelter: ___________________

Code client: ___________

1. PERSONAL INFORMATIONS

1 2

How old are you? Where are you from? Provinces: Punjab NWFP Baluchistan Sind Other _________

________ years Districts of Punjab: Attock Lodhran Bahawalnagar Mandi Bahauddin Bahawalpur Mianwali Bhakkar Multan Chakwal Muzaffarghar Dera Ghazi Khan Narowal Faisalabad Okara Gujranwala Pakpattan Gujrat Rahim Yar Khan Hafizabad Rajanpur Jhang Rawalpindi Jhelum Sahiwal Kasur Sargodha Khanewal Sheikhupura Khushab Sialkot Lahore Toba Tek Singh Layyah Vehari What were you living in: A city A village

Whats your education level?

Illiterate Primary Middle Matric Intermediate Illiterate Primary Middle High Intermediate Servant Farming (crops, poultry...) Small business Employee for a company Civil servant

FA/FSc BA/BSc MA/MSc Madrassa Other diploma FA/FSc BA/BSc MA/MSc Madrassa Other diploma Academic student Vocational student House work Other_________________ Between 5000 and 10000 Rs. More than 10000 Rs.

Whats the education level of your parents?

What was your main occupation?

What is the average monthly income within your family?

Less than 3000 Roupies Between 3000 and 5000 Rs.

36

What is your marital status?

Married Unmarried Separated What kind of marriage: Love marriage Arranged Have you been sold for prostitution?

Divorced Widowed Boyfriend Forced Exchange Child marriage Yes No How many children? _______ Children How many are living in DUA? _______ Children

If you are married,

Is it your first marriage? Yes No If no, why? Divorced Widowed 2. FOR THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE 1 What is your relationship with the abuser(s)?

Since how many years? ________ Years Age of the husband? ________ Years

Husband Son Father Mother Brother Brother in law Confinement Verbal Emotional Physical Sexual Husband Son Father Mother Brother Brother in law < 1 month < 6 months < 1 year < 3 years Once/twice A few times Once a month Once a week Hands Feet Knife Stick

Father in law Mother in law Uncle Non relatives Refused Other __________________ Economical Death threat Property damage Refused Other __________________ Father in law Mother in law Uncle Non relatives Refused Other __________________ < 10 years > 10 years On childhood Refused Several times a week At least once a day Cant remember Refused Fire/Acid Stone Refused Other __________________ 37

What kind of abuse(s) have you suffered?

If the person has suffered of physical abuse What is your relationship with the abuser(s)?

When have you been victim of physical violence for the first time? How often have you been beaten, slapped or kicked?

The abuser used?

If the person has suffered of sexual abuse What is your relationship with the abuser(s)? When have you been sexually abused for the first time?

Husband Father Brother Brother in law Father in law < 1 month < 6 months < 1 year < 3 years Once/twice A few times Once a month Once a week Attempted rape Completed rape Unwanted/Forced sexual contact

Uncle Non relatives Refused Other __________________ < 10 years > 10 years On childhood Refused Several times a week At least once a day Cant remember Refused Incest Unwanted touching Other _____________________ Yes No Refused Yes No Refused Yes No Refused

How often have you been sexually abused?

10 What kind of sexual abuse(s)

have you suffer?

11 Were you forced or asked to

do prostitution?

12 Do you have any suicidal

thoughts?

13 Have you ever had suicide

attempt? If yes, how many time? _________ Times

3. PERSONNAL SITUATION

1 2

When did you arrive in the DUA? Is it the first time that you seek shelter outside your family? Where did you go after leaving your house? (Put 1,2,3,etc. according to the order)

Day: ____

Month: ____ Year: ____ Yes No

Familys house Non relatives house Police station Hospital

___ ___ ___ ___

Lawyer ___ Court ___ Data Darbar or equivalent ___ Other ____________________ Yes No

Did you go to see the police? If yes, How did they welcome you? Very good Good Average Weak Very weak

Did they write a FIR? Yes No

38

Have you been victim of violence in the police station? Yes No

How many days did it take for you to reach the DUA after leaving your house? When you left your house, had you the intention to come to the DUA? When the judge took the decision to send you to DUA, did you agree? (The objective is to know if the woman was forced to go to the DUA) How did you learn about the DUA? (The objective is to know if she has heard before about the place or if it is the court or the police who informed here) For how long do you expect to stay in the DUA? Family/Friends Lawyer Doctor/Hospital Other shelter Past experience

_______ Days Yes No Yes No

Judge Media Police Social service/NGO Other __________________ ________ Days (or) __________ Months I dont know

10 Are you involved in a Court

case? From when: If yes, Which case:

Yes No

Day: ___ Month: ___ Year: ____

Divorce Adultery For life protection Children custody FIR against abuser Other __________________ Yes No Yes No

11 Have you got a lawyer? 12 If not, would you like to have

one?

13 Do you or your relatives pay

for it?

Yes No I dont know If yes, how much do you pay? _________ Rupees Yes No If yes, how many times? __________ Times Yes No

14 Have you ever meet him in

the DUA?

15 Does the lawyer inform you

regularly about your case?

39

16 Who did refer you to him?

Family/Friends Yourself The police The DUA The Bar Council

The judge Data Darbar or equivalent He came directly to you Other __________________

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

1 2 3

Do you have any trouble sleeping? Do you feel anxious or worried? What are your fears, what problems are troubling you most? Have you had an opportunity to discuss your fears and concerns with someone? Who do you think might be able to help you? Parents Husband Relatives

Yes No Yes No 1 ________________________________ 2 ________________________________ 3 ________________________________ Yes No Friends A professional Other _____________________

4 5

5. YOUR LIFE IN THE SHELTER

When you arrived, did someone explain you your rights and services provided inside the DUA? When you arrived, did someone interview you? Do you have the feeling that the DUA provides enough food for you and your children? Are you permanently allow to use: Toilet? Yes No Yes No

Yes No

2 3

Yes No Have you ever paid for getting food? Yes No Water? Yes No Electricity? Yes No Yes No If no? You share the bed with an other woman You sleep on the floor

Do you have your own bed?

Since you are living in the DUA, did you have any medical problems?

Yes No If yes, witch (max 3): ______________________________________

40

Do you and your children have access to a doctor (and not a dispensary) for medical problems? Do you pay for it:

For day-to-day problems? Yes No For the consultation? Yes No

In case of emergency? Yes No For the medicines? Yes No Yes Not allowed Yes but never happened I dont know

Are you able to meet with members of your family or other individuals as you wish? If yes, Who decides? The superintendent The teachers The guards The clerk The judge Yourself I dont know

Are you able to refuse a visit? Yes No I dont know

How often? Only once Few time a week Once a week Few time a month Once a month Other __________

10 Are you allow to:

Receive phone calls? Yes No I dont know Legal aid Vocational trainings Religion sessions Education/Activities for children Health education sessions Very good Good Average Very good Good Average More food More activities Better sleeping conditions To have an access to the phone To be able to have more visits Family mediation

Give phone calls? Yes No I dont know Psychologist Family mediation Arranging marriage Help getting job Other ____________________ Weak Very weak Weak Very weak More freedom Better access to medical care Better access to legal aid Arrange marriage Help getting job I dont know Other ____________________

11 What other kinds of services

does the shelter provide on free bases?

12 What do you think about the

assistance that you receive here in the shelter?

13 How is your relationship with

the others women living in the DUA?

14 What kind of help do you

expect from the DUA and what would you change in the daily routine/conditions of life?

6. SECURITY

41

In case you went out of the DUA, what were the reasons?

To see a doctor To go to hospital To see a lawyer

To go to the Court Other ____________________ Yes No I dont know Yes No

Does your family know that you are in the DUA? Do you receive threats from your family or anybody else?

Do you feel safe here in the DUA? Would you feel safe if you were allowed to go out of the DUA?

Yes No I dont know Yes No I dont know

7. PERSONNAL PROJECT

Where do you intend to go after leaving the DUA?

Husband home (after compromise) Parents home Relatives home Friends home Lover home

New husband home To live independent Other shelter Data Darbar or equivalent Other ___________________ Yes No

2 3

Is it the place where the violence happened before? What do you intend to do after leaving the DUA? To study/Vocational training To work House work To get the custody of children

I dont know To be remarried Other ____________________

Comments of the interviewer:

_______________________________________________________________ ________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________

42

ANNEX 2

Origin of the residents in the Dar-ul-Aman of Faisalabad

Number of women from present in the Dar-ul-Aman

Dar-ul-Aman

43

Origin of the residents in the Dar-ul-Aman of Gujranwala

Number of women from present in the Dar-ul-Aman

Dar-ul-Aman

44

Origin of the residents in the Dar-ul-Aman of Lahore

Number of women from present in the Dar-ul-Aman

Dar-ul-Aman

45