Violence against women is a devastating epidemic, a serious violation of human rights that extends beyond the scope of geographical locations, economic status, and cultural differences. From domestic violence to sexual assault, trafficking, and harmful traditions, women and girls on earth continue to be the most affected victims of violence. It reverberates through the lives of so many women crushing hopes and honour, shattering dreams and dignity, leaving a trail of pain and suffering that spans the world. The reality is every act of violence lessens our shared humanity and serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for awareness and action. 

The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.” Globally, it is estimated that one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often from an intimate partner. Despite the increased awareness and advocacy, such violence remains alarmingly common. 
The root causes of violence against women stem from different factors such as patriarchal cultural and societal factors against women, gender inequalities, and stereotypes that continue to spread. One of the reasons that are usually given for the widespread male domination is the general acceptance of it by the menfolk together with the lack of good laws and their enforcement as well in many states. The disparities in incomes, the educational imbalances, and the lack of resources women have access to are just some of the factors that make women more susceptible to violence, especially in conflict zones and areas of extreme poverty.
Violence against women has effects that are not only physical but also psychological and emotional. Those who have been violated are often affected by drugs, alcohol, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The impact of violence extends beyond the individual, affecting their households and communities, often causing a cycle of suffering that can persist across generations.
Efforts to combat violence against women, as enshrined in the corresponding international pacts like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, are beyond question. These legal frameworks highlight the significance of legal reform, education, and public awareness as indispensable means of curbing violence. 
Addressing violence against women is in great need of equitable changes to the legislation. Many countries like Pakistan adopted laws against visible abuse but the sad reality is that it often persists behind closed doors. Yet, without strong and consistent enforcement, laws lose their impact. Corruption, inadequate training, and ingrained societal biases remain significant barriers that victims face in their pursuit of justice. 
Violence against women is a pervasive issue and Pakistan is not immune to it. According to the National Commission for Human Rights, over 90% of Pakistani women have faced domestic violence in their lifetime. Under Pakistani criminal law, several acts of violence against women—including forced marriage, offering women assistance in resolving disputes, acid assaults, honor killings, and more—have been designated as crimes. In addition to guaranteeing women’s rights under the constitution, Pakistan has enacted numerous laws aimed at protecting these rights and preventing violence against women.

Pakistan has signed many United Nations human rights agreements to modify its legal system. It ratified international agreements aimed at discouraging and eliminating anti-women practices in society. The government has also taken several legislative steps to control violence against women over the years, including the Protection of Women Act and women’s shelters to protect victims of violence; the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act (2011),  the National Gender Policy Framework (2022), the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance (2020), and the Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act to prevent such practices as forced marriages and other harmful traditional practices. Moreover, the Government of Punjab has launched a project for a “women safety smartphone app.” This user-friendly app provides one-click access to the PCSW helpline at 1043.
Pakistani civil society organisations have also helped push the cause of women’s rights further and reach wider. Activists often lead grassroots mobilisation and raise awareness; media campaigns and public debates are persuading women to come out and report violence or to take matters into their own hands and demand redress. Pakistani authorities can chart their course towards a safer, fairer Pakistan, one in which future generations of women can claim space securely, and in which more and more young women find a world free of violence and discrimination.
We need to adopt a holistic approach that combines urgent legislative reforms with sincere execution, high public awareness, and real community participation in order to put an end to the awful violence against women in Pakistan. Pakistan is committed to human rights and gender equality, as seen by the present legislative framework; nonetheless, there is still a poignant gap between these noble laws and their tangible effects in everyday life. Investing in comprehensive data gathering, promoting economic development, and supporting law enforcement is crucial if this goal is to be fulfilled. By doing so, Pakistan may make significant progress in ensuring the safety and dignity of its women, establishing a brighter future in which their rights are not merely written but lived. HH

The Authour is Advocate (Sindh Bar Council), Graduate of Sindh Muslim Law College, Karachi
Email: [email protected]