‘Gender-based violence surges with dismal conviction rates’

Islamabad:A total of 32,617 cases of GBV were reported nationwide in 2024 with 5,339 incidents of rape, 24,439 incidents of abduction, 2238 incidents of domestic violence, and 547 cases of honour killing. Despite the surge reported in the cases of violence against women, the national level conviction rate of rape stands at a mere 0.5%, honour killings at 0.5%, kidnapping/abduction at 0.1%, and domestic violence at only 1.3%.

These grim statistics were reported in the data released by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) in its latest report, ‘Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan 2024’, providing a province-wise analysis of rape, honor killings, kidnapping/abduction, and domestic violence across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The report highlights the concerning scale of GBV cases and the extremely low conviction rates, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms in law enforcement and judicial systems.

According to data gathered through Right of access to Information (RTI) laws of the respective provinces, Punjab recorded the highest number of GBV cases, with a total of 26,753 registered cases. The province reported 225 honour killing cases, but only 2 convictions. For rape, Punjab had 4,641 cases, with a conviction rate of merely 0.4%. Kidnapping and abduction cases were alarmingly high at 20,720, yet only 16 convictions were made. Domestic violence cases stood at 1,167, with just 3 convictions.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government recorded 3,397 GBV cases in total including 134 cases of honour killing, with 2 convictions, 258 cases of rape with only 1 conviction whereas kidnapping and abduction cases reached 943, with only one conviction. Domestic violence cases in KP totalled 446, but no convictions were recorded.

Sindh registered 1,781 GBV cases. Honour killings accounted for 134 cases, but none led to convictions. The province recorded 243 rape cases, again with no convictions. Kidnapping and abduction cases were reported at 2,645, with zero convictions. Domestic violence cases stood at 375, but no justice was served in terms of convictions.

Balochistan had a total of 398 GBV cases. The province recorded 32 cases of honour killing, with just one conviction. Rape cases were reported at 21, with zero convictions. Kidnapping and abduction cases stood at 185, yet no convictions were reported. Domestic violence cases were recorded at 160, with 25 convictions—the highest conviction count among all provinces for this category. Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reported 220 GBV cases. Honour killings accounted for 22 cases, with no convictions.

The capital recorded 176 rape cases, with only 7 convictions. Kidnapping and abduction cases were not reported by data provided by prosecution department. Domestic violence cases stood at 22, with no convictions recorded.