As Violence Against Women Surges in Pakistan, Institutional Failures Come Under Scrutiny

Pakistan is witnessing a surge in violence against women, with institutional mechanisms proving largely ineffective in curbing the crisis, according to a report released on Wednesday. The report, citing recent cases, pointed to a growing influence of patriarchal forces that seek to control women’s autonomy, reinforcing regressive societal norms.

One of the most high-profile cases underscoring this trend is the acquittal of Muhammad Waseem, the prime suspect in the 2016 murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch. Baloch was strangled to death by her brother in what he described as an “honor killing.” On Feb. 14, the Lahore High Court overturned his conviction after key witnesses retracted their statements, and the parties involved reached a settlement.

The broader picture is no less grim. According to police data from Punjab province, approximately 41,000 women have been reported missing in the last five years. Of them, 3,571 remain unaccounted for. The issue has drawn international attention, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlighting Pakistan’s dismal record on women’s rights in its latest annual report. Pakistan ranks 167th out of 170 countries on the Global Women, Peace, and Security Index published by Georgetown University.

“Violence against women and girls, including rape, murder, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage, is endemic throughout Pakistan,” HRW stated, adding that human rights groups estimate about 1,000 women are killed in so-called honor killings each year.

According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2017-18), 28 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced intimate partner violence. However, rights groups say the actual numbers are likely much higher, as domestic violence remains a largely underreported issue due to social stigma.

The report also referenced the ‘Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill, 2022,’ calling its enforcement a key test of political will. Civil society organizations have long accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of pandering to religious conservatives and downplaying violence against women. Khan has faced criticism for remarks that rights activists say have reinforced victim-blaming narratives.

At the heart of the issue, the report noted, is a culture of male supremacy deeply ingrained in Pakistani society, where concepts of honor remain precariously linked to women’s modesty. The findings come at a time when Pakistan has witnessed four major incidents of violence against women in just one week, raising alarm over an increasingly dangerous climate for women across the country.