Mohsin Abbas Haider’s Wife, Fatema Sohail’s Press Conference Is A Powerful Snub To The Culture Of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is considered an endemic social issue in Pakistan. According to a study by the Human Rights watch 20 to 30 percent Pakistani women have suffer violence at home and at least 5000 women lose their lives in Pakistan every year at the hands of (mostly) male family members.

Despite being such a huge concern with serious repercussions, domestic violence remains rampant across the country with little to no legal cover for women to protect themselves.

This unholy scenario, it seems, might finally begin to change after Mohsin Abbas Haider’s wife Fatema Sohail finally broke her silence after four long years of suffering domestic violence.

After initial confusion, Fatema Sohail’s press conference answered a lot of questions that had been used as fodder for speculation during the last few days.

At the same time, Fatema Sohail’s hard-hitting press conference has swung the door wide open for women to snub the culture of domestic violence – hopefully, once and for all.

Read: These Celebrities Say They Were Eye Witnesses To Mohsin Abbas Haider Abusing Fatema Sohail

It was heartening to see the Chairperson of Punjab Women Protection Authority, Kaneez Fatima Chahdar stand by a survivor of domestic violence and pledge the entire support of the government machinery at her disposal to ensure that justice is eventually served.

At the same time, Fatema’s lawyer, who was also present at the press conference deserves a lot of respect for ensuring that each time a reporter questioned about issues other than domestic violence, he very categorically responded with, “But how does this justify a man hitting his wife to pulp?”

Fatema Sohail’s press conference was a powerful – and much needed – reminder to end the culture of domestic violence that dominates the social sphere in our country.

Hopefully, the widespread condemnation that this case has raised has set the stage for domestic violence to no longer be brushed under the carpet as a ghariloo masla (domestic issue).