Society seems to have finally come to terms with what modern economies call 'women empowerment.' However, let's not forget that women in our patriarchal society have had to fight tirelessly for it. No one has simply handed them freedom and space; they've had to struggle for every breath of liberty. This battle is far from over – it continues to this day and will persist until women achieve true equality with men in society. Let's confront the harsh reality: women continue to be victimised solely because of their gender, and society bears the responsibility.
The fact that women are taking to the streets, marching and chanting for their rights, is a testament to the societal pressures that have forced them to fight for equality. Decades of fundamentalist thinking have stifled women's freedom, confining them to their homes where they suffered domestic violence in silence. The violent and reactionary tendencies in today's society are a reflection of our failures, let's take responsibility instead of pointing fingers. We've denied women their rightful place for far too long, stubbornly clinging to outdated beliefs, on the contrary; the world has marched forward, embracing modernity and enlightenment. Our rigidity has blinded us to the truth – and it's time for change.
Domestic violence has been on an alarming rise over the past decade, with cases surging daily. This growing concern demands our immediate attention. Our inability to tackle the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) stems from our reluctance to acknowledge the evolving realities of our world. We must confront this harsh truth and adapt to the changing needs of our society. How long will society continue to confine its women to the shackles of outdated customs? It's time now for society to break free from these chains of narrow-mindedness, and don't forget, today's women will no longer tolerate such injustices. Regrettably, Pakistan is among the countries where the deeply troubling and pervasive issue of violence against women is escalating, with devastating consequences that affect not only their physical and mental wellbeing but also have far-reaching repercussions for entire generations.
No matter how loudly we claim that women in our society have 'complete freedom' and can move around without restrictions and that they have full protection at their workplaces, the reality remains that our society is still not willing to grant women equal rights
Pakistan’s Gender Based Violence: A Wake-up Call!
It's a stark and sobering reality: in 2024 alone, a staggering 32,617 cases of gender-based violence were reported. According to a report, recently released by an NGO, the breakdown of data is equally alarming - over 5,339 incidents of rape, 24,439 cases of abductions, and a heart-wrenching 2,238 cases of domestic violence targeting women. And if that weren't enough, 547 'honor killings' were also reported, begging the question: what 'honor' is there in taking a life? These numbers are a damning indictment of our society's values and collective mindset. The most devastating truth, however, lies in the shockingly low conviction rates for these crimes, A grim reality that borders on impunity. A mere 0.5% of rape and honor killing cases end in convictions, while a negligible 0.1% of abduction result in justice. Even more appalling is the fact that domestic violence cases - the most rampant scourge in our society - yield convictions in only 1.3% of instances.
A staggering 26,753 cases of violence against women were reported in Punjab, the country's most populous province, over the past year. This alarming figure includes 225 honor killings, with only two convictions. Moreover, a mere 0.4% of the 4,641 reported rape cases resulted in convictions. Abductions were equally rampant, with 20,720 cases reported and only 16 perpetrators brought to justice. Domestic violence was another pervasive issue, with 1,167 reported cases, but only three convictions. Notably, the province's chief minister, a woman herself, has vowed to take a strong stance against violence targeting women, declaring it her ‘red line’.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 3,397 GBV cases, including 134 honor killings, 258 rapes, 943 kidnappings, and 446 domestic violence cases. The conviction rate? Appallingly low - just two for honor killings, one for rape, and one for kidnapping, with zero convictions for domestic violence. Sindh's numbers are equally disturbing: 1,781 reported cases, including 134 honor killings, 243 rapes, 2,645 kidnappings, and 375 domestic violence cases, yet not a single conviction was secured. Balochistan's 398 reported cases, comprising 32 honor killings, 21 rapes, and 185 kidnappings, yielded few convictions, with only one for honor killings.
Women's Empowerment and Society’s double standards
In today's world, women are not only aware of their rights but also know how to fight for them. They understand how to claim their rightful place in society. The time has passed when women were confined to the four walls of their homes. No matter how loudly we claim that women in our society have 'complete freedom' and can move around without restrictions and that they have full protection at their workplaces, the reality remains that our society is still not willing to grant women equal rights. Changing mindsets is a pressing need of the time, and if our society doesn't reform its attitudes, how can we keep up with a rapidly changing world in the age of technology? Forget about competing with the world; how can we even achieve stability within our society?
The best way to acknowledge Women’s contribution to society is to introspect and review our own mistakes as a whole. Have we provided women with a safe environment in our society, where they can play their role in its progress? If not, then we must resolve to recognise women's rights and ensure their implementation in our capacities. We need to understand that women are not inferior, but rather, they deserve equal opportunities to breathe freely and showcase their talents. Only then can we create an environment where women can thrive and contribute to society without restrictions? Today, society has become part of a futile race where moral values have ceased to exist. Can we even hope to grant women equal rights in such a chaotic society? It's a question we must ask ourselves. Society is rapidly progressing, but it's also a fact that we still have a long way to go, the journey that we couldn't cover in the past decades due to societal conservatism and narrow-mindedness is still pending. We need to convince the younger generation that women have equal rights as men; they are not weak, but rather, nature has endowed them with the same thinking and cognitive abilities as men.
Until we understand the essence of this notion that: 'the existence of women is what gives color to the universe,' we can never claim to be a society that values gender equality!