81% national surge in unsettled GBV cases masks a silent epidemic: Sherry Rehman

Liaquat Ali

Islamabad: At the roundtable discussion “From Promises to Progress- An overview of Pakistan’s Fight Against Gender-Based Violence” organized by the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Senator Sherry Rehman in her keynote called for immediate and comprehensive action to tackle the alarming prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan, citing it as a national crisis and a human rights emergency.

“Gender-based violence is not a private matter, it is a societal and human rights problem. It reflects the deep-rooted structural and cultural inequities that we must confront collectively. The state must ensure swift justice for survivors and accountability for perpetrators,” said Senator Rehman, stressing the urgent need for judicial reforms and societal transformation.

Senator Rehman asserted “The latest statistics reveal a grim reality. An 81% national increase in unsettled GBV cases has overwhelmed Pakistan’s judicial system. Conviction rates for GBV cases stand at an appallingly low 3%, while acquittals reach a shocking 64%. Over 70% of GBV incidents remain unreported, driven by survivors’ fear of retaliation, victim-blaming, and a lack of trust in legal institutions. On average, GBV cases take 3-5 years to resolve, during which survivors face immense psychological and financial burdens. According to a Human Rights Watch report, 40% of women reporting GBV face hostile or dismissive attitudes from law enforcement. The human rights ministry reported that in the last 3 years, 63000 cases of GBV were reported, unfortunately most of the cases do not come to light.”

“These figures should shame us all. They reveal a system that not only fails to deliver justice but actively disempowers those who seek it. Survivors are silenced by stigma, traumatized by delays, and left abandoned by a fractured judicial process,” Senator Rehman remarked.

Senator Rehman added, “The most dangerous place for a woman all over the world is her home. These are the statistics of shame that we live with in the 21 century. Violence against women has become normalised, instead of going down. Pakistan too needs to think very hard about why so many cases on GBV are pending, and why such a low rate of convictions is the new normal.”

She said that even though legislators had gone as far as making 480 GBV courts across Pakistan, these efforts are insufficient in addressing the magnitude of the issue. “Even with these courts, the backlog of cases and the staggering low acquittal rates demonstrate that much more needs to be done.”

In addition to systemic barriers, societal normalization of GBV remains a persistent issue. Senator Rehman pointed to the widespread stigma and societal pressures that discourage survivors from coming forward. “Our society’s failure to unequivocally condemn GBV perpetuates a culture where violence against women is excused or dismissed. This must end,” she stressed.

Senator Rehman also underscored her legislative contributions to combat GBV, including bills addressing honor killings, domestic violence, and workplace harassment. She noted that Sindh is the only province to raise the marriageable age of females from 16 to 18 years through the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013.

However, she cautioned that legislation alone cannot resolve these issues without robust implementation. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” she stated. “The state has a duty to protect its citizens, particularly its most vulnerable. It must act decisively to ensure that the culture of impunity surrounding GBV ends.”

Senator Rehman called on all sectors of society—government, judiciary, law enforcement, and communities—to take collective responsibility for addressing GBV. “This is not just a women’s issue. It is a test of our commitment to justice, equality, and humanity. We need to create a Pakistan where survivors are empowered to seek justice and perpetrators face the full force of the law,” she concluded.