November 22, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
An alarming number of over 15,000 cases of violence and harassment against women were reported in Punjab in the first half of 2025, translating into an average of 85 women facing violence every single day. These figures, released by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) in its bi-annual Violence Against Women Punjab 2025 factsheet, reveal deeply entrenched patterns of gender-based violence across the province.
15,000 cases in six months: A crisis unfolds
Punjab recorded more than 15,000 cases of violence during the first six months of the year. SSDO says this figure not only highlights the scale of the crisis but also reflects improved reporting mechanisms that are enabling more survivors to come forward despite cultural and institutional barriers.
Nida Aly, Executive Director of Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell (AGHS), told Voicepk that Pakistan has a “very decent gender-centric legal framework and anti-rape laws,” noting that the government has invested in special courts, prosecutors, investigation units, and anti-rape crisis cells. She explained, however, that the failure lies in implementation: “Police do not even register the cases, and when they do, investigations are often incomplete. Prosecutors fail to adequately present cases, and judges frequently lack gender sensitivity, which affects convictions.”
Daily violence across the province
The data paints a grim picture of women’s safety in Punjab. On average, nine women were raped every day, 51 women were kidnapped, and 24 endured domestic violence during the first half of the year. The factsheet also covers honour killings, trafficking, and cyber harassment, offering a detailed view of the legal status of cases, including those under investigation, challaned, under trial, convicted, acquitted, or withdrawn.
Aly highlighted the gap between law and practice, citing a recent AGHS case where a rape accused was sentenced to 14 years. “The judge was not gender responsive and struggled to understand the concept of consent,” she said. “Our lawyer, conversant with the law, persuaded the judge. There is room for societal change; the burden of sexual violence should fall on the perpetrator, not the survivor.” She added that shame and stigma deter many survivors from reporting, despite an increase in convictions from 2.5% to 5% after anti-rape laws were enacted.
Districts bearing the brunt
Lahore emerged as the district with the highest burden, reporting 340 cases of rape, 3,018 kidnappings, and 2,115 incidents of domestic violence. The city also recorded one of the highest numbers of honour killings in the province. Other districts such as Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Kasur, Toba Tek Singh, and Nankana Sahib consistently reported high rates of violence, revealing that this crisis stretches deep into semi-urban regions as well.
Hidden and underreported crimes
Certain forms of violence remain hidden due to underreporting. Cyber harassment was recorded in only five districts — Okara, Sheikhupura, Layyah, Pakpattan, and Gujrat — highlighting limited access to digital complaint mechanisms rather than an absence of crime. Trafficking was concentrated in Muzaffargarh and Pakpattan, pointing to specific regional vulnerabilities.
Aly stressed that increased reporting does not necessarily mean more crimes are occurring, but that survivors are beginning to trust the system. “Still, most cases go unreported,” she said. “When trials, which should take four months, extend to fifteen months, and courts lack gender responsiveness, why would a survivor or a parent report?”
Data gaps undermine justice
Several districts, including Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Chiniot, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Narowal, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, and Sargodha, failed to provide the required data entirely. SSDO noted that Punjab police did not submit the figures despite repeated instructions, raising concerns about transparency, compliance with RTI law, and the accuracy of provincial crime records. While improved reporting in some areas is a positive sign, these gaps weaken public trust and obscure the true scale of violence against women.
Aly pointed to systemic problems in domestic abuse cases as well. She explained that although the domestic violence law was enacted in 2016, it took six years to be notified across Punjab. Many judges were unaware of the law, and family courts remained overwhelmed with other cases. “The law is now in place, but implementation is slow. Awareness is limited, and courts are overburdened,” she said.
Religion, law, and societal change
Aly also rejected claims that religion permits abuse, stating, “Islam does not allow cruelty, especially to women. Misinterpretations must be countered through legal literacy and accountability.” She emphasized that justice is not just about the severity of punishment but the certainty of consequences. “When someone knows they can get away with a crime, they will continue. Justice must be ensured.”
A call for urgent action
SSDO has called for immediate and coordinated measures to address the crisis. Strengthening reporting and referral systems, enhancing investigative capacity, ensuring timely judicial proceedings, and expanding support for survivors through shelters, legal aid, and psychosocial services are crucial steps. Aly’s statements underline the critical need for gender-responsive policing, judicial training, societal awareness, and full implementation of laws. Only through these measures can Punjab combat gender-based violence and uphold the safety and dignity of women across the province.