Breaking the Silence: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan

 By Michelle Zeah 

Dateline: Karachi, 22 October 2022

Millions of women in Pakistan remain silent in the name of so-called “honor.” Many face violence, injustice, and deprivation of education at the hands of their own families. Forced marriages remain widespread, denying countless girls the chance to lead independent lives.

During a 2015 interview in Sindh, a father of five daughters was asked by a journalist, “Why are you marrying your oldest daughter so early? She is just 15.” He responded, “I have five daughters — who is going to protect their honor?” Tragically, these girls never attended school, and in some areas, female education is actively forbidden.

I recall an incident from my university days when a peer shared a horrifying case: a woman had been chained by her in-laws and subjected to daily torture. Despite her suffering, no one intervened, and the police were never contacted. Many in Pakistan fear involving authorities, believing it could bring dishonor or even worse repercussions.

According to estimates, over 80 percent of women in Pakistan experience some form of domestic abuse. Yet, most endure it in silence. Women who do attempt to seek help often face immense pressure from their families, social humiliation, or further violence from both in-laws and biological relatives.

Breaking this cycle requires more than legislation — it demands societal change, awareness, and courage to speak out. Only by confronting these deeply rooted injustices can Pakistan move toward a future where women live free from fear and oppression.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Lal Masjid Tragedy and the Hidden Crimes of Politics in Pakistan

By Mishal Zia | June 8, 2025 | Islamabad, Pakistan There is an old saying that if a lion pretends to be a rabbit, that does not mean he will not kill. This seems particularly true in the story of Lal Masjid in 2007, when then-President Pervez Musharraf ordered a military operation to demolish the mosque. The official explanation claimed that the mosque was harboring terrorist groups linked to Afghanistan. Yet, the operation left scores of adults and children dead, and the true story behind this ruthless act remains far different from what was publicly presented. Years of research and firsthand accounts reveal a dark, hidden narrative. According to a senior colleague who witnessed the events, a minor girl from FATA, returning to her school dorm, found the dorm closed and had nowhere to stay. She called a trusted contact, Aunty Shamin, who allowed her in. What followed is chilling: the girl was later trafficked to a politician in Pakistan. When the school and the girl’s parents tried to ...
Read more

The unresolved killing of Chaudhary Adnan: a year of delays, politics and contested justice

By Mishal Zia  January 15, 2026 In the early hours of 12 February 2024, Chaudhary Muhammad Adnan, a seasoned politician and former member of the Punjab Assembly, was fatally shot in broad daylight in Rawalpindi’s Civil Lines neighbourhood. The assassination of the 47‑year‑old, who had served as parliamentary secretary for social welfare and later revenue, sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s political establishment and underscored the fragile security climate for elected figures. Adnan’s death was more than a tragic killing; it was a moment that exposed deep rifts between political rivalries, allegations of vendetta and accusations that quickly enveloped the subsequent investigation. At a traffic signal near the city’s police lines, unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire, killing Adnan and leaving questions about motive and culpability lingering ever since.  Within days of the murder, Rawalpindi police registered a case of premeditated murder at the Civil Lines ...
Read more

Child Marriage: The Hidden Crime Still Destroying Young Lives

By Mishal Zia | 09 May, 2026 | United Kingdom, Wales, as a crime reporter, journalist, and human rights activist, I have come across many heartbreaking cases in which serious crimes continue to repeat themselves despite devastating consequences. Among the most ignored and underreported crimes is child marriage, a practice that destroys childhoods, damages mental and physical health, and often traps young girls in cycles of abuse and fear for the rest of their lives. In many societies, child marriage is still defended as a “tradition” or “family matter” rather than recognised for what it truly is: a violation of human rights. Across different regions of the world, thousands of girls are forced into marriages before they are emotionally, physically, or mentally prepared for adulthood. Many lose access to education, independence, healthcare, and the right to choose their own future. According to UNICEF⁠, millions of girls worldwide are married before the age of 18 every year. In some coun...
Read more