A recent study by the Law and Justice Commission has revealed a disturbing 100 percent increase in violence against women, with pending cases related to gender violence climbing from 21,891 in 2023 to 39,665.
The significant rise in cases is distributed unevenly across the provinces, with Punjab experiencing a dramatic 100 percent increase. Meanwhile, smaller yet notable rises were reported in Sindh (3 percent), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (14 percent), Balochistan (2 percent), and Islamabad (1 percent).
The types of cases that have seen a surge include sexual assault, which forms the majority, alongside kidnappings, human trafficking, and homicides of women. Furthermore, there has been a noted rise in electronic crimes against women, though economic crimes related to gender issues have decreased.
Despite the increase in reported cases, the conviction rates remain critically low. Only 5 percent of gender crime suspects are convicted, while the acquittal rate stands at 64 percent.
In response to the escalating issue, the government established 480 special courts across the country in 2019 specifically to address gender crimes more effectively. These courts aim to provide timely and sensitive handling of such cases to improve the rate of convictions and ensure justice for victims.
