Need to implement laws to address GBV and DV

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Gender-based violence (GBV) covers domestic violence, sexual violence, psychological abuse, economic abuse, stalking, early forced marriages, forced pregnancy, trafficking, cybercrime, and other specific harmful practices including cutting or biting any part of body. These are deep-rooted societal issues that undermine the dignity, safety and well-being of individuals, particularly women.

Stringent laws are there to address these concerns, but it is the lack of enforcement of these laws that often exacerbates family tensions rather than resolving them. About 90% of women in Pakistan have experienced some form of domestic violence (DV) in their lifetime. Between 2020 and 2023, about 63,000 cases of GBV were reported, 80% of which were related to DV. In 2023, Punjab alone reported 10,201 cases of DV, but many incidents remained underreported.

DV often stems from deeply ingrained patriarchal norms, emotional instability, and a lack of ethical or moral education. Many perpetrators of violence are themselves a product of dysfunctional atmospheres and unaddressed psychological issues. Thus, punitive measures alone may not result in behavioural change or family harmony.

Psychological and ethical rehabilitation can play a transformative role. Counseling sessions can help individuals identify and manage underlying issues such as anger, insecurity, or mental health problems. Regular workshops on ethical behaviour, moral values, and the importance of family harmony should be organised. To create a sustainable solution, it is essential to shift the focus from punitive measures to preventive and rehabilitative mechanisms.

The government and society should explore the need for psychological and ethical rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators and propose the formation of reconciliation committees under social reforms to resolve family disputes at the grassroots level.

The committees should address the GBV complaints filed by the victims either with the police stations or with the union council offices without involving police. The committees can serve as a first point of contact for family disputes, offering mediation before legal action is considered.

Involving law enforcement in family disputes often leads to public embarrassment, deepens mistrust, and escalates conflicts. Reconciliation committees can provide a private, non-threatening space for resolution, reducing the likelihood of further violence.

In practice, complaints against husbands have often been taken adversely, leading to divorces and further family complications. This highlights the importance of creating a balanced and sensitive approach to conflict resolution. Reconciliation committees and social mechanisms should be structured to involve women in large numbers to ensure gender sensitivity and provide a supportive environment for female victims.

One of the significant challenges in addressing DV and family disputes lies in the societal stigma and sensitivity surrounding these issues. Before escalating matters to police stations or courts, which can often aggravate conflicts and lead to irreparable consequences, it is crucial to introduce mandatory reconciliation and mediation mechanisms.

Reconciliation and mediation should involve local, respectable individuals from the community who are trusted by all parties. Recognising the cultural and religious nuances of the community is critical to ensuring that the mediation process is respected and accepted by all parties. A moral and religious approach can help preserve relationships and avoid outcomes such as divorce or prolonged hostility, which often result from legal interventions.

To effectively address the social taboo of domestic violence and family disputes, the media should be actively involved in creating awareness and promoting positive narratives. Television dramas and films can highlight the importance of reconciliation and mediation in resolving family disputes. Short advertisements and public service messages can educate viewers about the availability of reconciliation committees and the importance of resolving disputes amicably.

Involving local communities in the mediation process fosters a sense of collective responsibility and strengthens social cohesion. Emphasising moral and religious teachings can helps promote a culture of respect and empathy, reducing the prevalence of DV in the long term.

DV and GBV are pervasive issues that require a multifaceted approach to prevent and mitigate their impact on individuals and society. Educational institutions, especially boys' and girls' colleges, can play a pivotal role in addressing these concerns by integrating training programmes into their extracurricular societies.

To ensure the success of these training programmes, colleges must take an active role in their design and execution, and partner with NGOs, social workers and psychologists to develop comprehensive training modules and conduct workshops.

Addressing DV and family disputes requires a balanced approach that prioritises reconciliation and understanding over punitive measures. Mandatory mediation, guided by moral and religious values and facilitated by trusted community members, offers a sustainable solution to these deep-rooted social issues. By involving the media to promote awareness and normalise the concept of reconciliation, society can take meaningful steps toward creating a safer and more harmonious environment for families.

The government, civil society, and media must work together to implement these mechanisms, ensuring that families have the support they need to resolve their issues wisely and peacefully.

By incorporating training programmes into extracurricular societies, colleges can play a transformative role in addressing issues related to DV and GBV. These initiatives can empower students to resolve conflicts constructively, foster empathy, and promote a culture of respect and equality.

As future leaders and community members, these students have the potential to drive meaningful change, creating a society where DV is no longer tolerated and families can resolve disputes harmoniously. It is imperative for educational institutions, civil society and policymakers to support and expand such initiatives to ensure their long-term success.