April 13, 2025
By Mateen Ali
LAHORE
The Sindh Women Lawyers’ Alliance (SWLA) organized a protest in Shahdadkot on Saturday, April 12, in response to a rising number of crimes against women in the region. The march, which began at Koto Moto Chowk and concluded at the Shahdadkot Press Club, aimed to draw attention to incidents of murder, domestic and gender-based violence (GBV).
Triggering incidents
Two recent deaths have become the focal point of public outrage.
Sadaf Haslo, a school teacher, was reportedly murdered by her fiance. Haslo had also previously sought police protection. According to Shiza Nizamani, the chairperson of Sindh Women Lawyer’s Alliance, Haslo had informed authorities of threats to her life, but her request was dismissed.
Another case involved Mahwish Jarwar, a woman police constable who was found dead under suspicious circumstances. She too had apparently sought protection but received no substantial response from authorities.
The protest was attended by civil society members, human rights activists, and family members of recent victims. The protest saw participation from local organizations and residents who demanded justice and called for systemic reforms.
The protesters called for fair and transparent investigations into both cases and emphasized the need for implementing existing women protection laws. Protesters also called for reforms in police conduct, greater representation of women in law enforcement and the judiciary, and the establishment of accountability mechanisms within state institutions.
State of Domestic Violence in Sindh
Speaking to Voicepk, Shazia Nizamani, Chairperson of SWLA, stated that police and judicial institutions in Sindh have failed to take violence against women seriously. “There is only a 0.5% conviction rate for rape victims in Sindh, and a 3 to 4% conviction rate in domestic violence cases,” she said.
Nizamani added that most cases of abuse are never reported, and when victims do come forward, they often face victim blaming and insensitivity. “Our police needs to be more gender-sensitive, and our judiciary must ensure that victims are taken seriously and protected,” she emphasized.
She also pointed out that pro-women laws, such as the Domestic Violence Act 2013, are not being implemented. “Sadaf Haslo went to the police asking for protection, and she was dismissed. There must be accountability,” Nizamani said.
Her recommendations include educating women about their rights under the Domestic Violence Act, encouraging them to report abuse, and increasing women’s representation in both law enforcement and the judiciary.
The SWLA has announced plans to organize larger protests in Karachi and Sukkur, in collaboration with other human rights organizations, to continue advocating for justice and legal reforms to protect women from violence.