MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Gender-based violence cases in Pakistan reached 5,253 in 2024, Sahil has reported.
According to data released by Sahil, a non-governmental organisation specialising in child protection and gender-based violence (GBV), Pakistani media has reported a total of 5,253 GBV cases in the year 2024.
The findings regarding Gender-Based Violence cases in Pakistan, compiled from 81 newspapers covering all provinces as well as Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), highlight the ongoing risks faced by women and vulnerable groups.
The detailed official report can be read on the official website.
The reported cases contain many different forms of violence, including murder, suicide, abduction, rape, honour killings, acid attacks, and torture. The figures indicate a troubling situation across the country, with 1,373 murder cases, 954 abductions, 685 cases of torture, 611 instances of rape, and 443 suicides reported in media reports.
A more detailed breakdown of the presented data reveals that Punjab has accounted for a significant majority, with 74 per cent of the incidents reported from the region. Sindh follows with 15 per cent of reported cases, while 7 per cent of the cases were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Islamabad City, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan collectively accounted for 4 per cent of the reported cases which is lower than other regions.
The data also shows the age groups most affected by Gender-Based Violence. While adults made up 95 per cent of the victims, 5 per cent of the victims were minors under 18 years of age. The age group found to be the most vulnerable was 21-30 years, with 536 reported cases. The next most vulnerable group was the 11-20 age group, which accounted for 517 cases. The 31-40 age category saw 189 incidents, while in 3,763 cases, the victim’s age was not registered.
Sahil’s report has given an insight into the perpetrators of these crimes. In 34 per cent of the cases, the abuser was someone the victim knew, while in 13 per cent of incidents, the perpetrator was the victim’s husband. Strangers were responsible for only 12 per cent of the cases that were reported. In 21 per cent of the reported cases, the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator was not specified.
The report highlights the immediate need for stronger legal actions, better enforcement of existing laws, and much more public awareness to combat Gender-Based Violence cases in Pakistan. While the findings reveal an unfortunate reality, they also serve as a call to swift action for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to work towards justice and protection for victims and prevent more unfortunate events from unfolding.
What is Gender-Based Violence?
Any act of discrimination against women that causes or is likely to cause physical, sexual, psychological, or economic harm or suffering including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether taking place in public or private life, constitutes a violation of human rights and includes discrimination against women is Gender-Based Violence.
One of the most prominent human rights abuses in all nations is gender-based violence, a phenomenon that has its roots in gender inequity. Violence against a person because of their gender is termed gender-based violence. Although gender-based violence affects both men and women, women and girls make up the majority of victims. Gender-Based Violence cases in Pakistan are alarmingly high, pointing at a deep-rooted issue.
Gender-Based Violence Cases in Pakistan
The prevalence of Gender-Based Violence cases in Pakistan remains extensive throughout all provinces of Pakistan, regardless of social and economic status. Legal structures and public education drives fail to stop domestic abuse, together with sexual assault, honor killings, as well as child marriages, from occurring against women and girls and marginalized population groups.
The combination of cultural norms, legal weaknesses, and social stigmas stops victims from pursuing justice. Local and international human rights organizations together with civil society groups actively push for comprehensive GBV prevention measures that combine better reporting channels with country-wide educational initiatives to protect victims of Gender-Based Violence cases in Pakistan.
Sahil
Sahil is a well-known organisation in Pakistan that addresses Gender-Based Violence cases in Pakistan and child protection. They have become known for their support, advocacy, and research. The release of studies such as “Cruel Numbers” which gathers information on child abuse and GBV incidents in Pakistan, is one of their major achievements. These studies draw attention to how common these problems are and seek to increase public awareness and encourage legislative changes.
The detailed official report is available on the official website.
