What could make someone kill when in a blind rage? Having an upper hand and being in a position of power. What is the easiest way to gain that power? Owning a firearm and keeping it around for good measure.
Firearms play a grand role in the exploitation of those who are considered weaker and dependent for their security, particularly women. Small arms, as defined by the UN, are weapons designed for individual use. Firearms commonly include various types of guns, pistols, revolvers, and rifles. They may also include small machine guns.
Gender-based violence (GBV) has always been a persistent issue in Pakistan. GBV commonly refers to acts of violence that cause physical, sexual, mental, or emotional harm to women, girls, and boys. This article argues that the easy accessibility of firearms has been causing a rise in gender-based violence in Pakistan and intensifying how vulnerable women are in society.
According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health survey, 28% of women experience physical violence in Pakistan from the age of 15 to 49. The culture of gender-based violence is deeply rooted in society. Gendered stereotypes have given leeway to justify crimes against women. The long-standing tradition of gifting dolls to girls and guns to boys has a psychological effect on how they perceive themselves and their roles as they grow up—boys grow up thinking they’re strong, and have the capability to cause harm whereas girls are equipped with the knowledge that they must depend on the men in their family for protection.
Gun Violence in Pakistan
A 2017 survey revealed that gun ownership in Pakistan is widespread, approximately 44 million firearms are privately owned by the general public in Pakistan, with only 6 million of them registered. This means that over 22% of the population owns firearms. In March 2024, 14,000 SMGs (submachine guns) were issued in the country after which the interior minister expressed that the purpose was protection and sport. The easy accessibility of firearms in Pakistan in combination with their cultural significance contributes to the normalization of violence caused by them.
In domestic disputes, firearms tend to play a significant role. According to research conducted by the UNDP in 2017, in more than half the cases of domestic violence, there is no history of previous use of firearms by the offender. It implies that the initial violent act involving a firearm begins at home. This goes to show that the wider context of why firearms are used in such cases is missing, which is the role of gender. In Pakistan, violence is often committed towards women but the research is rarely ever focused on why women are subjected to such treatments.
In Kyrgyzstan, research was done to understand the justification and perpetuation of domestic violence and the results were not surprising. It was discovered that key factors that contribute to domestic violence include patriarchal traditions, the pressure of society on women to maintain their marriages since divorce is seen as a sign of disgrace upon the woman and her entire family, the normalization of violence in the name of discipline, and the fear of retaliation. Therefore, it seems like the situation in Pakistan is a reflection of the situation of women in Kyrgyzstan, especially when it comes to making sure that women remain dependent on men for their survival.
In July 2024, a domestic violence case was reported in Lahore, Punjab, where a husband (now under arrest) had threatened to kill his wife by pointing a gun at her head in front of their two children. The maximum imprisonment for such an act is two years, whereas if you are wealthy you might be able to leave with a mere fine. This lack of accountability is the reason why men are able to go from threatening their significant others to actually killing their wives in cold blood.
Another factor that plays a major role in GBV in Pakistan is the culture of patriarchy. Men are seen are the “providers and protectors” but women are not allowed to argue if their actions do not match these sentiments. Instead, they are asked to trust that the men know what they are doing and must be trusted without question. A wife is not allowed to disagree if her husband decides to own a gun and keep it in the house. The relationships do not work on principles of mutual agreements. Therefore, if a man can decide to keep a gun, and threaten women in the household with it if he feels that she is out of line, he is allowed to do so. This normalization of men controlling women is one of the main causes of GBV in Pakistan.
The psychological impact on women in the presence of firearms is not usually considered. In a country where women always feel unsafe around men, the mere presence of a gun can affect their mental health. A constant state of fear and intimidation would exist if a victim is aware that their perpetrator owns or has easy access to a gun. In a broader sense, families and communities are unsafe; women and children are far more likely to be a victims of domestic violence if there is a gun involved during disagreements.
Policy Framework Regarding Gun Violence Prevention
The existing laws about owning firearms are sloppy at best. There are no legal frameworks that contribute to the disarmament of firearms at domestic levels. The ever-rising domestic violence cases are not integrated when legislations about firearms are created. There is a need for a gendered perspective towards the ownership of firearms in the country and it needs to be legally reformed that firearms should not be allowed in homes to ensure the safety of women. Women are more threatened by the presence of a gun in their homes than any burglar with his own firearms is ever going to be.
To conclude, the increase in ownership of firearms is directly proportional to the rise in gender-based violence in the country. The two might not be directly connected but the impact of small arms on domestic violence must be considered when policies about firearms are formed. Reducing gun violence needs to be a key priority. The cultural acceptance of firearms, as well as the gendered nature between firearms and masculinity, must be understood in order to form a comprehensive understanding of the role of small arms in gender-based violence.
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Arooj Azhar is a student of International Relations at Air University, Islamabad, aspiring to become an IR scholar specializing in international stability, humanitarian relief, and international law. She has published various articles across Strafasia and Global Defense Insight. She has also authored a blog for CARBS Business Review.