GENDER-based violence (GBV) remains one of the gravest human rights challenges facing societies across the world. It affects women regardless of nationality, religion, education or economic status. Although governments have enacted laws to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and honour crimes, millions of women continue to suffer abuse. Pakistan, despite significant legislative reforms, continues to face an alarming incidence of violence against women. A small but influential segment of society attempts to justify such violence in the name of culture, tribal customs or family honour. In reality, these practices are not cultural values but instruments of prejudice and discrimination used to subordinate women. They have no place in a society founded upon justice, equality and human dignity.
The situation in Pakistan: The latest Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS 2017–18), conducted by the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS), paints a disturbing picture. Among ever-married women aged 15–49 years, 34 percent reported experiencing physical, emotional or sexual violence by their husbands. Nearly 23 percent had suffered physical violence, including slapping, pushing, punching, kicking or beating, with slapping being the most commonly reported form of abuse.
The survey also found that violence is more common in rural areas and among women with lower levels of education and economic independence. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), approximately 18 percent of women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, making them more vulnerable to abuse. Since many victims remain silent due to fear, family pressure and concerns about honour, the actual prevalence of violence is likely to be much higher.
Honour killings: A premeditated crime: One of the most brutal forms of gender-based violence is honour killing. It is an internationally recognised human rights violation involving the deliberate murder of a family member, usually a woman, under the false pretext of restoring family honour following an alleged violation of social or tribal norms. Such killings are rarely spontaneous. They are often carefully planned by family members and, in some cases, encouraged by illegal jirgas or tribal councils. Love marriages frequently become the trigger. Couples are sometimes deceived into returning home under promises of reconciliation, only to be murdered. In another tragic case, a young woman who sought police protection was persuaded to return home after her father’s emotional appeal in court and was killed the following day. Such incidents expose serious weaknesses in victim protection and law enforcement.
Law and implementation: Pakistan has strengthened its legal framework through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2016, which closed loopholes allowing honour killers to escape punishment through family forgiveness under the Qisas and Diyat laws. However, implementation remains weak. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), more than 500 honour killings are reported annually, while other human rights organisations estimate the actual figure may exceed 1,000 because many cases are concealed as suicides or accidents. Women constitute over 90 percent of the victims. Conviction rates remain disappointingly low owing to poor investigations, delayed trials, intimidation of witnesses and weak prosecution.
A universal problem: Gender-based violence is not confined to Pakistan. Developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and several European nations continue to report high levels of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and workplace harassment despite having stronger legal protections. Honour-based violence also occurs in India, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and parts of Türkiye. In India, many cases arise from inter-caste or interfaith marriages opposed by families or village councils. These examples demonstrate that honour killings stem from patriarchal traditions and social attitudes rather than any particular religion. Religion does not sanction honour killings: Some perpetrators attempt to justify honour killings in the name of Islam. Such claims are entirely false. Islam unequivocally prohibits murder and places the administration of justice solely in the hands of lawful authorities. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) treated women with dignity, compassion and respect, particularly his beloved daughter Hazrat Fatimah (RA). Honour killings have no basis in Islamic teachings.
The way forward: Reducing violence against women requires legal reforms as well as a transformation in social attitudes. The following measures deserve urgent attention: Establish specialised police units to investigate honour crimes and gender-based violence. Strengthen witness and victim protection programmes. Ensure speedy trials through dedicated courts. Improve police accountability and modernise forensic and DNA investigation facilities. Provide counselling and legal assistance to couples facing threats because of marriages of choice. Expand public awareness through schools, universities, media and religious leaders. Increase women’s access to education, employment and legal aid to promote economic empowerment. Ensure strict and timely punishment of offenders in accordance with the law to enhance deterrence and restore public confidence in the justice system.
Conclusion: Violence against women is not merely a women’s issue; it is a national challenge that undermines justice, human dignity and social development. No nation can prosper while half of its population lives in fear. Laws alone cannot eliminate gender-based violence unless they are enforced impartially and supported by a change in social attitudes. Pakistan must strengthen its institutions, protect victims and reject harmful customs that have no place in a civilised society. Only by guaranteeing equal rights, equal protection and equal opportunities for women can Pakistan uphold justice, safeguard human dignity and build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous society.
—The writer is Senior Rtd bureaucrat, based in Lahore.
