Are women secure in Pakistan?

Pakistan is no longer considered a secure country for women, and even the Safe Cities Projects, launched to provide a safe and secure environment for all citizens across the country, have failed. However, despite the implementation of these projects, women in Pakistan continue to face various forms of violence.

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Rape cases, domestic violence, character assassination, and sexual harassment in Pakistan are on the rise, and the lack of proper laws and enforcement has made them even more prevalent. We can witness the intensity of such heinous crimes against women in Pakistan in the article written by Imtiaz Ali and published in the Dawn newspaper in Pakistan.

Women are not secure in their homes, schools, offices, public places, motorways, or public transport. 

Gang Rape in Public Park

Fatimah Jinnah Park, commonly known as F9 Park, is a public park in Islamabad. Due to the security lapse, it is becoming a dangerous place for citizens, especially for women and young girls. On Thursday, February 9, a tragic incident that received widespread media coverage happened in F-9 Park in Islamabad when two armed men raped a girl who went to the park for a walk with her male colleague.

The offenders accused the girl of going for a late walk. If the girl was mistaken and they were right, why are they hiding behind the curtains and refusing to face their doings?

Gang Rape in Public Transport

A bus hostess was gang-raped at gunpoint on a private company's public transportation in the first week of February 2023. The bus was heading to Vehari and all passengers departed from the bus at the nearby bus stop. Taking advantage of the empty and moving vehicle, the armed guard and bus driver sexually assaulted the bus hostess.

Gang Rape on Motorway

On September 9, 2020, a mother was robbed and gang-raped by two armed men on the motorway in front of her children. She was driving out of Lahore when her vehicle ran out of fuel; she called her relatives and the highway police for assistance, but before they arrived, she became prey to two criminals.

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These cases, among many others, received widespread media coverage and sparked nationwide protests, demanding justice for the survivors and calling for an end to violence against women in the country. These cases also shed light on the lack of proper laws and enforcement to protect women from violence and the failure of the Safe Cities Projects to provide a safe and secure environment for women. 

When the urban cities are not safe, how can the rural ones be? The situation in rural areas is even worse for women. The lack of proper law enforcement, unawareness, and a culture of victim blaming make it more difficult for women to report incidents of violence and seek justice.

Today, we live in the 21st century, the era of artificial intelligence, science, and technology, where women are participating in different competitive programs. Women's participation in such programs is a positive step towards gender equality and is breaking down gender barriers in fields traditionally dominated by men. 

Unfortunately, we as a nation still have a cultural bias that provokes honor killing and domestic violence and limits women's independence and mobility. The practice of asking women to stay at home and not go out late at night or alone restricts their freedom and reinforces gender inequality. It is crucial to challenge and change these cultural attitudes that promote gender inequality.

How to end sexual violence?

Sexual violence against women is a widespread problem in Pakistan, and the increasing trend of sexual assault cases highlights the urgent need to take action against such violence.

 The following comprehensive measures are needed to  end the issue of violence against women in Pakistan:

• Implementation of women-friendly laws

The implementation of strict laws against gender-based violence is needed. Women-friendly laws alone are not enough to prevent gender-based violence and provide justice to women, but proper implementation of laws is required. 

• The provision of support to the survivors of gender-based violence 

The government and other law enforcement agencies must facilitate and ensure support for survivors. 

• Safe reporting mechanisms and elimination of culture of victim blaming

As a society, we must eliminate the culture of victim blaming. The culture of victim blaming and the absence of a safe reporting mechanism have also contributed to the trend of violence. The survivors of sexual assault cases face social stigma, which makes it even more difficult for women to report the crime and seek justice.

• Awareness:

Society needs to take a stand against these issues and raise awareness, which can be done by educating people on their rights and providing appropriate training.

• Providing Basic Opportunities: 

In addition, the government of Pakistan and civil society have to work together to provide equal opportunities for women. It will empower them to challenge gender stereotypes and increase their access to awareness and women's rights.

• Educate men and boys:

 It is also important to involve men and boys in the fight against violence against women. Men should learn to respect women and treat them as equal partners in our societies. They also need to be encouraged to speak out against violence against women and to support survivors of violence.

• Media Role:

Moreover, the media has to play a crucial role in raising awareness regarding gender-based violence issues. The media houses can provide a platform for survivors and bring attention to the need for action to address gender-based violence issues.

• Safe cities projects:

Safe city projects cost millions, but these projects fail to provide safety to the citizens of Pakistan. It highlights the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address the issue of violence. A concerted effort is needed from the authorities to create a safe and respectful environment for all women and girls in Pakistan.