The Prevalence of Violence against Women in Pakistan
Gender-based violence or violence against women, is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in Pakistan. This violence is experienced by women in various forms, such as domestic, physical, sexual, cultural, economic, psychological, and digital violence. These issues are deeply engrained in the patriarchal structure of society. Any form of violence affects the physical and mental health of victims, leading to depression and suicidal thoughts.
Moreover, the survivors also lose their self-respect, dignity, confidence, and honor. In the aftermath of the violence, women are unable to get justice because of the limited awareness of legal rights, financial dependency, fear of retaliation, societal pressure, judicial inefficiencies, and inadequate representation of women in high positions. After experiencing violence, many women are unable to seek help or disclose the abuse to anyone.
To prevent gender-based violence, the government of Pakistan has introduced certain frameworks, such as the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010, the Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006, the Anti-rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021, and the Women Rights Bill passed in 2006. However, it has not changed the conditions of women, particularly in the feudal and tribal areas, because the country’s few laws for the protection of women are only limited to papers.
Technology: A Possible Lifeline?
According to the United Nations Population Fund, about 32 percent of women have undergone physical violence in Pakistan and about 40 percent of married women suffered spousal abuse. While other legal platforms and frameworks have struggled to confront this profound challenge, technology has emerged as a potential game-changer in the fight against gender-based violence in Pakistan.
Certain online platforms and mobile applications designed for the safety of women are being increasingly embraced. It includes the Madadgaar National Helpline, Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), Women Safety App, Rozan, Aurat Foundation, Digital Rights Foundation, and Chayn Pakistan.
Recently another mobile application, “Humqadam,” was introduced by the women’s rights civil society organization, Shirkat Gah Women Resource Centre, in collaboration with the National Commission of Status on Women (NCSW). This app provides quick access to referral services and relevant laws to deal with issues of violence. This integrated platform would reduce the workload of human rights defenders and would also help survivors with relevant information with one click.
The purpose of this platform is to create awareness from the grassroots to the top level while engaging the whole society to address issues related to violence against women in Pakistan. During the launch event of the app, Ms. Nilofar, NCSW’s chairperson, said that there was a need to re-prioritize policies concerning women, which had been on the back burner for quite some time, and gender-based violence was a priority for NCSW.
However, it will remain a big question whether technology can tackle gender-based violence in Pakistan. There is a huge digital divide, particularly along gender lines. According to a report by the Global System for Mobile Communication, women in Pakistan are 38 percent less likely than men to own a mobile phone, and 49 percent less likely to use mobile internet. This divide is even more evident in rural areas where traditional gender roles restrict the access of women to technological use.
While these tools are beneficial in urban areas where women are educated, and internet connectivity is reliable, their overall effectiveness in rural areas is questionable for various reasons. In rural areas, women who are facing abuse and violence are not educated, and it is difficult for them to understand different languages.
Moreover, they are also not able to operate the app due to internet connectivity issues. Additionally, the cultural context of Pakistan cannot be ignored where discussion about gender-based violence is taboo. Women are very conscious about their honor, respect, and privacy, raising concerns among people about how apps can help them balance both protection and privacy.
Technology is one of the necessary tools to fight against gender-based violence, bringing immediate support. A report has found a surge in technology-facilitated gender-based violence reporting in Pakistan in 2023, with nearly 2,500 cases reported in the year. However, technology alone cannot bring an end to violence against women in Pakistan because this issue is deeply rooted in the culture of society. The sole focus on technology also cannot address the root problems of gender-based violence.
Improving the Situation
There is a need for more public awareness about the use of applications because there is little knowledge about the operation of the app. It is crucial to disseminate information about such digital technologies among women lawyers, university students, and influencers to speed up awareness. Community engagement programs should be organized to empower women. Law enforcement authorities must be on high alert to respond to such cases and a special branch of police only dedicated to responding to such violence should be established.
Bringing reform through digital technology will only be beneficial if there would be more representation of women in the judiciary, police, and law enforcement. However, there is a need to integrate gender-based violence into high-level political discussions. Women parliamentarians should raise this issue in parliament and advocate for funding to improve app functionality and promote women’s empowerment.
Moreover, the success of these tools depends on their accessibility, cultural acceptance, and the effectiveness of response systems. To make these apps efficient, there is a need to ensure data protection to maintain the trust and safety of users. Transparent data policies and strong cybersecurity practices must be in place to protect sensitive information.
As Pakistan continues with technological solutions, it must also focus on societal change by shifting cultural attitudes to create a safe and equitable environment for all women. However, we must imagine the future of Pakistan where there would be women’s rights and dignity upheld and protected, and women would be free from fear with full assurance of their human rights.
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