Violence against women on rise: report

Over 20,000 cases reported across Pakistan in six months

LAHORE:

The Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) — a non-government organization (NGO) — has revealed that between January to June 2025, 20,698 cases of violence against women were reported in the country.

According to a factsheet issued by the organization, Punjab tops the list with 15,376 reported cases of violence against women.

Sindh recorded 3,709 cases, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 875, and Islamabad 423. In Balochistan, 315 cases of violence against women were reported.

According to the report, the incidents included rape, kidnapping, honour killing, domestic violence, harassment, cyber harassment and physical abuse.

The conviction rate in cases of violence against women remained below 0.3 per cent nationwide while 114 cases of violence against women were reported everyday in the past 6 months.

In Punjab, the conviction rate was recorded at 0.01 per cent. Sindh reported a 0.5 per cent conviction rate, while the K-P and Islamabad recorded no convictions.

In Balochistan, the conviction rate stood at 19.30 per cent, but the volume of reporting was very low.

The factsheet data on violence against women was collected through Right to Information (RTI) from the police department.

“This data also demonstrates the number of cases in the legal procedure: challan cases, cases under investigation, cases under trial, conviction, acquittal, withdrawn. “The rate represents the number of reported VAW [violence against women] cases per 100,000 women aged 18 and above,” it said.

According to the SSDO, Punjab leads in reporting and institutional access as the province’s reporting mechanisms and institutional coordination are significantly stronger than other provinces.

“This improvement is largely attributed to key initiatives such as Punjab Safe Cities Authority, Virtual Women Police Stations, Tahaffuz Centers, and the Women Protection Authority, which have collectively enhanced accessibility, responsiveness, and documentation of cases related to violence against women. “Without meaningful and sustained reforms, the gap between the reporting of crimes and the delivery of justice will continue to widen, leaving women across Pakistan increasingly vulnerable and unprotected,” it said.

The organisation recommended strengthening the investigative process and prosecution to ensure effective justice, as well as providing a safe environment for affected women.