November 26, 2025
By Sarfaraz Shah
TURBAT
To mark the 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a session was held at the Turbat Press Club, organized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Regional Office of Turbat-Makran. The session was attended by various political and social workers, human rights activists, journalists and people from different walks of life who participated and expressed their views on the situation of the status of women and girls in Balochistan.
A report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) shows that around 32,617 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported in Pakistan in 2024. These cases include rape, kidnapping, domestic violence and honour killings – however these are only the reported cases – there are several others who remain unreported and therefore not counted.
Speaking at the occasion, the participants from all spheres of life told Voicepk that Balochistan, has always been considered a relatively better environment for women, however, even today women continue to face problems such as political harassment politically, in offices and in various places outside. They said that due to cultural and familial pressure, women often remain silent.
HRCP coordinator for the Turbat-Makran region, Ghani Parwaz was also present at the occasion. 7
“Forty to 50 years ago, women in Balochistan, and especially women in Makran, could not obtain education of their own free will, because educational institutions were almost non-existent,” he said. “Girls’ schools might have been found here and there, but there was also a shortage of such schools. There were neither colleges nor universities where men and women could study. Similarly, it was difficult for women to go outside their homes and they could not obtain employment. A few women worked, and that too in cities like Karachi and Quetta, but most women could not work. Despite the absence of the Sardari system, there were other obstacles.” Ghani Parwaz said that Makran is a ‘paradise’ for women because violence against women was very low here. The situation of women in Makran has changed considerably and now they can leave their homes and work. Women can participate in social and political activities.
He was flanked by his wife and medical doctor, Dr. Sammi Ghani Parwaz said, “In my hospital, 400 cases of violence against women come in a year,” she said. “And those who commit violence against these women are their husbands, brothers, and sons.”
Social activist Sammi Abdul Karim concurred and added, “It has come to light many times that if a girl is subjected to violence, she does not tell her family about it. The reason for this is that if she tells them, her brother, father, or husband will not allow her to go out. Domestic violence is happening in villages, but in cities, violence is happening outside the home. For this, there should be such a platform that even if affected women do not file complaints, legal action should be taken on the matter. Women are harassed regarding work and they receive threats that if they don’t befriend them, they will commit violence. Some women have evidence but they cannot bring it forward.”
Social activist Atta Zafar Baloch said, “We believe that all this violence, whether against political workers or women, especially at this time, the most violence against women is in a political context. In a social context, in a societal context, most of the state or state elements are more involved in this. What should have been is that the laws given in this constitution regarding women or that exist, there is no implementation of them in any way. Rather, more strictness is being created in this. Restrictions are being imposed on women and many tactics or methods are being used.”
“The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) also forbade us from committing violence against women in his numerous blessed hadiths,” religious scholar Yallan Baloch said. “Similarly, in ancient times, before Islam, when a baby girl was born in someone’s house, they would bury her alive. Islam has provided for her rights, dignity, and protection, as a mother, as a woman. However, in the present era, since we are distant from Islamic teachings and are weak, just as we show weakness and negligence in other duties and rights, we are also particularly weak in women’s matters. The matter of harassment with women is becoming extremely serious. Among its basic causes is that we have started using women for our own interests. If we talk about markets, educational institutions, anywhere, even if a woman is passing on the street, that is a form of harassment. People who sit on the streets and watch, who travel in vehicles with their women and children, our eyes, the eyes of our society also go to that vehicle, so this is also a kind of violence and a kind of harassment that we should not do.”
The speakers demanded that there should be a platform for women where they can speak openly and their voices be heard. Moreover, more awareness sessions should be organized in urban and rural areas so that women can be aware of their rights.