The universality of violence against women is now beyond question; it happens everywhere – there is evidence of its occurrence in all states and cultures. According to the World Bank, violence against women and girls, in other words, gender-based violence (GBV), has become a global pandemic, affecting the lives of one in every three women in their lifetime across the globe.
Worldwide, around 35 percent of women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their intimate partners; 7 percent of women were subjected to sexual violence by someone other than a husband/partner; 38 percent of women were murdered by their husbands/partners; and around 200 million women around the world have been subjected to genital mutilation. A UN report, titled The Elimination of Violence against Women, pointed to the fact that a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner every 11 minutes.
Furthermore, what was once limited to whispering and suffering in silence, violence against women has not only become a crime but also a violation of the human rights of women. This violence against girls and women leaves an indelible mark on the soul and body of women. As GBV has taken the shape of a pandemic worldwide, Pakistan is no exception.
Entrenched patriarchal norms and systemic inequality continue to silence victims, perpetuating a vicious cycle of gender-based violence and injustice.
There is evidence available that suggests that violence against women is present in all the above-mentioned forms and manifestations. GBV happens even though there are not only constitutional rights available to women but some international guarantees as well, as Pakistan is a signatory to the international treaties and conventions on women’s rights. The rate of violence against women has significantly increased in the last three years.
In fact, Pakistan has ranked 164/167 on the 2022 report of Georgetown Institute’s Women, Peace, and Security Index. Pakistan is the sixth most dangerous state for women in general, and in terms of domestic violence, it is the fifth worst country in the world, according to a 2022 report by the Reuters Foundation.
Women and girls in Pakistan are exposed to varied forms of GBV – from physical domestic violence to marital rape to harassment at workplace to honor killing, etc. Even when not subjected to violence, they are labelled as inferior to men in society.
What this means is that all of these challenges take a heavy toll on the physical, psychological, and emotional health of women in Pakistan. They have essentially trapped women like birds in a cage, preventing many from reaching their full potential and contributing meaningfully to society. Entrenched patriarchal norms and systemic inequality continue to silence victims, perpetuating a vicious cycle of gender-based violence and injustice. Ironically, women are considered less competent, and more emotional, which is why not suitable for positions of authority, while there is evidence that suggests they are denied almost every access to compete with men on a level playing field.
In short, GBV occurs in Pakistan in all its forms, i.e., physical, sexual, and psychological, at almost all levels, systemic, structural, and cultural – both direct and indirect – against women greatly undermining the dignity, security and freedom of women. Violence against women not only impedes development internally, as constitutes more than half of the population, but it also tarnishes its image externally.
What could be done about GBV in Pakistan? The incumbent government, state institutions, and important stakeholders must forge strong partnerships with UN agencies and organisations working for women’s rights while also putting in place a strict structure designed to safeguard and protect such rights. This coordination between state institutions and international bodies is a must as the gendered hierarchy and patriarchal structure of the society has held women not only trapped in a vicious cycle of violence, but it has also blocked women’s collective efforts for their rights. In order to get out of this systemic and cultural straightjacket, the financial and technical help of international bodies will be of great help to give women what they deserve.
It is essential to promote women’s quality education at all levels – from school to university – as well as to provide financial incentives to encourage and facilitate women and girls to get an education.
Additionally, it is imperative to make access to technology and skills in this arena of digitization will enable them to think and act about getting rid of not only gender-based violence but also to break the shackles of patriarchy and to work against political exclusion.
As a consequence, it’s imperative to overcome the enormous challenges posed by patriarchy, sexist culture, outdated social norms, gender inequity, and gender stereotypes since doing so is necessary for creating a society that is varied, peaceful, harmonious, and progressive. So, countering and fixing the issue of GBV not only bring peace and prosperity to Pakistan, but it will also improve its image internationally. Undoubtedly, the legislative body’s primary obligation is to create enduring, effective policies and implement innovative programmes that thoroughly address the root causes of gender-based violence against women and girls, as well as strive to prevent it.
The writer is a freelance columnist based in Mardan.