Numerous studies have confirmed that in Pakistan 's strongly patriarchal society, women and girls are discriminated against in various areas such as in education, nutrition, health and physical safety and their needs are often not taken seriously and hence not met adequately. In addition, violence against women is a widespread, complex and deeply sensitive issue, which has only recently come onto the public agenda in Pakistan.

A dangerous long-term impact of such ongoing pervasive discrimination is the gradual erosion of self-esteem in women. A lack of self-esteem leads women to under value their own worth and potential. Research shows that violence has definite links to low self-esteem and a higher incidence of clinical depression and anxiety. Women end up accepting what is happening to them as part of their destiny and feel totally powerless to change it. The prevalence rate for clinical depression, anxiety disorders and psychosomatic (somatoform) disorders are therefore higher in women then men.

In addition, the mental and emotional health of people and its undeniable link to attitudes and socialization and its impact on the quality of one's life remains largely ignored. In Pakistan awareness regarding mental illness and its treatment is obscured by numerous taboos and myths. Moreover, very little emphasis is given to the impact that the emotional well being of a person has on the overall quality of their life. Rozan works with individuals on emotional health issues and violence against women, because we believe that individuals who are emotionally healthy can contribute positively to society and can bring about a change in attitudes that give rise to discrimination and violence.

Figures indicate that in Pakistan rape, domestic violence, and other forms of violence against women are widespread (even though most experts agree that most such abuses are not reported). In fact, according to the Report of the Commission of Inquiry for Women (August 1997), 80% of all Pakistani women (regardless of their social class) experience some form of domestic violence in their lives .

So What Can We Do About It?

Violence against women is neither condoned by any religion nor by any civilized society. It is, in fact, a learned behavior that can be changed. And, while children growing up in violent households are much more likely to continue that trend -- most often with boys becoming abusers and girls becoming victims -- children can also be taught non-violent ways, a process that aims to break this cycle of violence and abuse.

In addition we work with women in order to facilitate the learning of life skills and to promote assertiveness, positive self-esteem and confidence in women through self-growth training and counseling. We believe that working on women's self-esteem and emotional health is essential in order to break the silence and to end the cycle of passive acceptance and violence. We also involve men through the White Ribbon Campaign, as we believe that it is not possible to work on this issue without engaging men.