Ayesha, 32, a mother of three, wakes up to the same pattern every morning in the sleepy streets of a small Punjabi village: the sound of her kids laughing, the aroma of morning chai, and the eerie anticipation of the day ahead. The secret that Ayesha has been carrying about for years is all too common, yet it is rarely discussed. She once loved her spouse, but he has been a quiet tormentor who has darkened every moment of her life with physical and emotional abuse. Her persistent cries for assistance were not answered by the system that was supposed to safeguard her. But rather than being a tale of despair, Ayesha’s story is one of perseverance and the slow rise of hope brought about by legislative changes meant to protect.
Gender-based violence, or GBV, is still a pernicious problem in Pakistan that affects women in both urban and rural areas. It can take many different forms, including honour killings, trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic abuse. Less than 10% of cases ever make it to court, despite the fact that thousands more women experience domestic abuse and that over 2,500 women were slain in Pakistan in 2020 alone in the name of honour, according to the Aurat Foundation. Due to Pakistan’s ingrained patriarchy, women have historically been at risk of assault, as well as a lack of knowledge and access to justice. However, despite these sobering facts, there are glimmering signs of optimism in the shape of legislative changes meant to change the terrain for women’s rights.
Pakistan has seen a number of historic law changes in the last ten years that are intended to address gender-based violence. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, which was passed in 2021, is one of the most important of them. Advocates for women’s rights celebrated this bill as a significant win since it criminalises domestic abuse and creates safeguards for victims. The law gives police officers the authority to respond quickly to domestic abuse incidents and requires the creation of victim shelters.
The Anti-Honour Killing Laws (2016) were another significant reform. They closed a legal gap that permitted honour killing criminals to avoid prosecution if the victim’s family pardoned them. This change acknowledged honour killing as a horrible crime and gave women further legal protection.
While Pakistan has made notable progress, the implementation of these laws remains a significant hurdle. Ayesha’s case is not unique; countless women continue to face barriers in seeking justice. Often, police stations are not equipped to handle cases of gender-based violence sensitively. Victims may be turned away, or worse, blamed for the violence they have suffered.
Additionally, societal attitudes toward gender violence remain deeply entrenched. Many women, especially in conservative regions, remain unaware of their rights, and the stigma surrounding reporting abuse prevents them from reaching out for help. Many victims fear the repercussions of coming forward, knowing they could face ostracisation or further violence. For many, the courts are a distant and untrustworthy institution, with long delays and insensitive procedures.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have emerged as vital allies in the battle against gender-based violence due to these structural issues. Women’s rights, legal help, and support for survivors have been spearheaded by organisations such as the Aurat Foundation and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). By educating women about their legal rights and making legal resources more accessible, these organisations are crucial.
Community-based programs, which provide safe venues for women to express themselves and seek safety, have also had a big influence. In order to change public opinion and gradually change the deeply ingrained attitudes that support violence against women, these grassroots campaigns have been essential.
Although legal reforms are an important first step, their successful execution is what will truly transform the situation. Legislators need to make sure that these laws are implemented seriously and promptly, rather than just being symbolic. This necessitates a thorough reform of the legal system, including ensuring that police officers are trained to handle GBV cases sensitively, guaranteeing speedy trials, and offering victims psychological help.
Additionally, more needs to be done to educate people about women’s legal rights, especially in rural areas where there is a lack of social and educational understanding regarding gender violence. Together with legislative changes, educational initiatives can foster an atmosphere that gives women the confidence to pursue justice.
Even though Ayesha’s tale is still developing, it serves as a reminder of how crucial legal changes are in the battle against gender-based violence. We can hope for a time when no woman needs to live in terror thanks to persistent lobbying, improved law enforcement, and cultural improvements toward gender equality. However, the road to justice is long and full of obstacles.
It is still unclear if Pakistan will step up to the plate and offer the much-needed security that women like Ayesha require. The solution resides in our shared dedication to making sure that legal reforms effectively safeguard our society’s most vulnerable citizens rather than merely being passed into law.
