In pictures: Civil society rallies against rape and victim-blaming in Pakistan

Demonstrators across the country held placards and chanted slogans demanding an end to blaming victims of rape

By
Web Desk

Updated Saturday Sep 12 2020

Hundreds of civil society members — men, women and even children — took to streets across Pakistan on Saturday protesting the alleged gang rape of a woman by robbers in front of her children after her car ran out of fuel near the eastern city of Lahore late Wednesday night.

The protesters demanded exemplary punishment against the culprits and the removal of the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh who added fuel to the fire with his "victim-blaming" remarks.

They demanded making public spaces safe for women, strict laws to deter rape, and for an end to a culture of misogyny.

Human right activists hold placards as they march during a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Lahore on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Arif Ali
Human rights activists carry placards as they take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Islamabad on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Farooq Naeem
Human right activists hold placards as they take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Karachi on September 12, 2020. . / AFP / Rizwan TABASSUM   
Human right activists take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Quetta on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Banaras Khan 
Human right activists shout slogans as they take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Karachi on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Rizwan Tabassum
Human right activists take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Quetta on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Banaras Khan   
Human right activists shout slogans as they take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Karachi on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Rizwan Tabassum
Human right activists take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Quetta on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Banaras Khan   
Human right activists take part in a protest against an alleged gang rape of a woman, in Islamabad on September 12, 2020. — AFP/Farooq Naeem