A minority rights organization in Pakistan has highlighted a concerning rise in violence against women, with 6,543 cases of gender-based violence reported last year, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. The Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) expressed worry over the escalating incidents, citing over 24,000 abductions, 5,000 rape cases, and 405 honor killings in 2024 alone.
The VOPM emphasized the issue of low conviction rates, with less than 2% for rape cases and about 0.1% for abductions, signaling a lack of justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. Shockingly, the organization revealed that an estimated 90% of women in Pakistan experience domestic violence, while 85-90% face harassment in workplaces, portraying a grim reality for women in the country.
In provinces like Sindh and Balochistan, the VOPM highlighted a more severe situation where many cases go unreported due to social pressure, fear, or influence from local authorities. The organization underscored the normalization of gender-based violence, stressing the urgent need for systemic change and stronger enforcement of laws to protect women’s rights in Pakistan.
