For Dr Summaiya Syed, a set of rooms dedicated solely to her patients was the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. Lack of help for women and stigma around sexual violence – as well as an agonisingly slow legal process – mean that the opening this month of Pakistan’s first “anti-rape crisis cell” in Karachi is a moment far bigger than the space itself. It’s “groundbreaking”, says Syed.
“It took 24 years to fulfil my dream to serve the victims of sexual violence. But I am happy that the initiative will speed up the investigations of rape cases and encourage more victims to seek justice.”
Syed, 51, has gained a reputation for her work as a doctor who takes rapists to court in Karachi and for her victim-centred approach. She has worked as a medico-legal officer for more than 20 years, dealing with hundreds of rape and sexual assault cases.
This suite of rooms, near a large public hospital, will provide legal, medical, police and psychological support services to “the violence survivor under one roof”.
“The cell has given me new aspirations, and it will provide swift justice to the victims without any embarrassment. I hope to convict rape criminals, ultimately leading to a better situation,” she says.
She will never forget her first case: a four-year-old rape survivor. “It was a hot summer afternoon when a traumatised child was brought in for examination. She was raped by her sports teacher.” Syed’s testimony was instrumental in the rapist getting a life sentence. “The year was 1999, and I felt proud. I have never looked back.”
Sexual assault and domestic violence are significantly underreported in Pakistan, and those cases that do go ahead can take years to reach court.
Karachi, a city in Sindh province of more than 18 million people, has 29 medico-legal officers of whom seven are women, including Syed. Recent data shows that Sindh saw a 200% increase in rape cases between 2021 and 2022, with a conviction rate of below 1%.
Kapil Dev, programme coordinator at UN Women, praises the Sindh government for taking action. “There has been abundant legislation over the past few years but implementation has been lacking. It is good to see that the Sindh government has shown strong political and bureaucratic will to implement anti-rape law.”
Haseeb Khawaja, chief coordinator of the Pakistani Men Against Rape campaign, also welcomes the new space. He believes that “a woman is raped [nearly] every 20 minutes” in Pakistan but that only 10% of rapes are reported to police.
Outlawed practices are still going on, including women and children forced to marry their rapists. The “two-finger test”, used to determine the virginity or otherwise of a rape survivor, was only outlawed by a constitutional court in 2021.
In her rooms, Syed prepares a corner with dolls and games for the children. She involves herself deeply in the work. She explains: “I cannot calmly sit until a case is resolved and perpetrators are punished.”
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
