Killing women

In yet another distressing incident of gender violence reported in recent weeks, a 28-year-old woman in Faisalabad was brutally beaten to death by her husband for being pregnant with a third daughter. The husband, aided by his brother, assaulted the woman until she succumbed to her injuries, for something beyond her control. The notion that an ordinary citizen can presume the authority to administer punishment — particularly one as severe as death — is profoundly troubling and necessitates immediate attention. This calls for a deeper understanding of the underlying issues that compel individuals to adopt such a mindset.

There is evidently a fundamental flaw in our society that allows these incidents to occur with alarming frequency. Women in our country are being killed for simply living their lives, with their mere existence perceived as a threat. Tragically, this perception often comes from within their own families, who should be their protectors. We have fathers and brothers proudly owning up to killing their daughters and sisters for ‘honour’.

Domestic violence cases are alarmingly prevalent, yet they frequently go unreported due to societal stigma, fear of retaliation, and a lack of confidence in the justice system. In 2022 alone, more than 5,000 cases were reported, but the true numbers are likely much higher. Research conducted last year by Pakistan’s Demographic and Health Survey and the UNFPA revealed that 39 per cent of women in Pakistan, aged 15 to 49, experienced abuse, with 80 per cent of married women enduring domestic violence. The statistics indicate that verbal abuse is the most common at 76 per cent, followed by slapping at 52 per cent, pushing at 47 per cent, and kicking at 40 per cent.

This pervasive issue underscores the urgent need for societal reform and greater protection for women. The state must enforce stricter laws and ensure swift justice for victims to deter potential offenders. Most importantly, it needs to change its own perception about women and other marginalised genders before expecting people to do the same.