Are women safe?

One of the most telling indicators of a nation's commitment to justice and human rights is how it protects its women. A country’s seriousness in ensuring women’s safety can be measured by how it responds to injustices against them. By this metric, Pakistan fares abysmally. A recent report by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), titled 'Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan 2024', presents a deeply disturbing picture: 32,617 gender-based violence cases reported nationwide in just one year. The numbers are staggering -- 5,339 rapes, 24,439 abductions, 2,238 instances of domestic violence, and 547 honour killings. Beyond the raw figures, the most damning revelation is the shockingly low conviction rates: 0.5 per cent for both rape and honour killings, 0.1 per cent for abductions, and only 1.3 per cent for domestic violence. These statistics show that survivors rarely see justice, while perpetrators act with near-complete impunity. Punjab recorded the highest number of cases at 26,753, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 3,397 cases, Sindh with 1,781 cases, and Balochistan with 398 cases. These numbers, however, only represent reported cases. The actual figures are likely much higher, as many women, fearing ostracisation and further victimisation, choose silence over speaking out.

The irony is painful: society remains largely indifferent when women endure abuse, yet erupts in outrage when they demand their rights. A woman who quietly accepts violence is often considered virtuous, while those who resist are met with hostility. The deeply entrenched patriarchal norms ensure that many women remain financially and socially dependent on men, making escape from abusive environments nearly impossible. While some shelters exist for women fleeing violence, these institutions offer little more than temporary refuge, and even then, safety is not guaranteed. Every year, women-led organisations and activists take to the streets for the Aurat March, demanding their rights. Instead of engaging with their grievances, critics respond with harassment, threats and even baseless accusations that endanger their lives. Politicians rarely address gender-based violence, let alone introduce meaningful reforms to help women break free from cycles of abuse.

Even for those raised in more liberal environments, safety is not assured. Women from conservative families, regardless of their education or exposure to progressive values, often find themselves subjected to forced marriages and, in extreme cases, even honour killings for asserting autonomy over their lives. The suffocation is real, and for many women in Pakistan, there is no escape. Pakistan’s future is bleak if it continues to fail half its population. There can be no progress if women remain unsafe, unheard and unprotected. The government must move beyond rhetoric and take tangible steps to ensure the safety and empowerment of women. Laws must not only exist but also be enforced. The culture of silence and impunity must be dismantled. Efforts must also be made to educate society on gender equality, ensuring that future generations grow up rejecting violence and discrimination. Schools and workplaces must actively promote a culture of respect and inclusivity. Until then, Pakistan will remain a nation that fundamentally betrays its women.