‘Over 5,200 cases of gender-based violence reported in 2024’

Islamabad:A total of 5,253 incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported in the media across Pakistan in 2024, according to data released by Sahil, a non-governmental organization focused on child protection and GBV. The findings, based on reports from 81 newspapers covering all provinces, including Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), highlight the persistent threat of violence faced by women and vulnerable groups.

The cases documented by Sahil span multiple categories of violence, including murder, suicide, abduction, rape, honor killings, acid attacks, and torture. The data reveals a grim picture, with 1,373 cases of murder, 954 cases of abduction, 685 cases of torture, 611 cases of rape, and 443 cases of suicide reported in the media.

A breakdown of the geographical distribution of these cases shows that Punjab accounted for a staggering 74 per cent of the total reported incidents. Sindh followed with 15 per cent, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) recorded per cent. Meanwhile, ICT, Balochistan, AJK, and GB collectively accounted for just 4 per cent of the reported cases.

The data also sheds light on the age distribution of GBV victims. While 95 per cent of the reported cases involved adults, 5 per cent of the victims were under 18. The age group of 21-30 years emerged as the most vulnerable, with 536 cases reported. This was followed closely by the 11-20 age group, which accounted for 517 cases. The 31-40 age group reported 189 cases, while in 3,763 cases, the age of the victim was not mentioned.

Sahil’s report further provides insights into the perpetrators of these crimes. In 34 per cent of the cases, the abusers were acquaintances of the victims, while husbands were responsible in 13 per cent of the reported incidents. Strangers were identified as perpetrators in 12 per cent of cases, while the nature of the abuser-victim relationship was not specified in 21 per cent of cases.

The report underscores the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks, effective enforcement, and increased public awareness to combat gender-based violence in Pakistan. While the data presents a harrowing reality, it also serves as a call to action for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to work towards ensuring justice and protection for victims.