“Justice Delayed, Justice Denied” – Pakistan’s Failing System Leaves Gender-Based Violence Survivors Vulnerable
Islamabad, March 2: A staggering 32,617 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported across Pakistan in 2024, yet conviction rates remain abysmally low, according to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO). The report, titled “Mapping Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan 2024,” provides province-wise statistics on rape, honour killings, kidnapping, and domestic violence, highlighting systemic failures in law enforcement and the judicial system.
The data reveals that despite thousands of cases being registered, justice remains elusive, with conviction rates as low as 0.5% for rape and honour killings and just 1.3% for domestic violence nationwide.
“The justice system is failing GBV survivors. Weak investigations, societal stigma, and prolonged trials obstruct justice while perpetrators walk free,” said Shahid Jatoi, Director of Programs at SSDO.
Disturbing Statistics: Breakdown of Gender-Based Violence Cases
📌 Total Reported GBV Cases in Pakistan (2024): 32,617
📌 Conviction Rate for Rape & Honour Killings: 0.5%
📌 Conviction Rate for Kidnapping/Abduction: 0.1%
📌 Conviction Rate for Domestic Violence: 1.3%
Province-Wise Breakdown:
1. Punjab – The Highest Number of GBV Cases
🔹 Total Cases: 26,753
🔹 Rape Cases: 4,641 (Convictions: 0.4%)
🔹 Kidnapping & Abduction Cases: 20,720 (Convictions: 16)
🔹 Honour Killings: 225
🔹 Domestic Violence Cases: 1,167 (Convictions: 3)
2. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
🔹 Total Cases: 3,397
🔹 Rape Cases: 258 (Convictions: 1)
🔹 Kidnapping & Abduction Cases: 943 (Convictions: 1)
🔹 Honour Killings: 134 (Convictions: 2)
🔹 Domestic Violence Cases: 446 (Convictions: 0)
3. Sindh – No Convictions Despite High Numbers
🔹 Total Cases: 1,781
🔹 Rape Cases: 243 (Convictions: 0)
🔹 Kidnapping & Abduction Cases: 2,645 (Convictions: 0)
🔹 Honour Killings: 134 (Convictions: 0)
🔹 Domestic Violence Cases: 375 (Convictions: 0)
4. Balochistan – Highest Conviction Rate for Domestic Violence
🔹 Total Cases: 398
🔹 Rape Cases: 21 (Convictions: 0)
🔹 Kidnapping & Abduction Cases: 185 (Convictions: 0)
🔹 Honour Killings: 32 (Convictions: 1)
🔹 Domestic Violence Cases: 160 (Convictions: 25)
5. Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
🔹 Total Cases: 220
🔹 Rape Cases: 176 (Convictions: 7)
🔹 Honour Killings: 22 (Convictions: 0)
🔹 Domestic Violence Cases: 22 (Convictions: 0)
The Root Cause of Low Conviction Rates
Despite the high number of reported cases, the conviction rate remains alarmingly low due to:
❌ Weak Investigations: Lack of forensic evidence, improper case handling, and poor police response.
❌ Social Stigma & Victim Blaming: Survivors often face societal pressure to remain silent rather than seek justice.
❌ Judicial Delays: Cases linger in courts for years, discouraging survivors from continuing legal battles.
❌ Lack of Legal Protection: Many women and children have limited access to legal support due to financial or societal constraints.
“The judicial system is failing to address gender-based violence. Survivors remain vulnerable while perpetrators escape accountability,” said Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director, SSDO.
Urgent Reforms Needed to Protect Survivors
SSDO has called for urgent reforms in law enforcement and the judicial system, including:
✔ Stronger police training to handle GBV cases sensitively.
✔ Fast-track courts for rape, honour killings, and domestic violence cases.
✔ Legal support for survivors to ensure they get justice without intimidation.
✔ Stricter punishment for perpetrators to deter future crimes.
Kausar Abbas emphasized the need for government intervention, stating:
“We demand immediate action from the government, law enforcement, and judicial institutions to ensure that survivors feel safe, supported, and empowered to seek justice.”
Conclusion: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
The shocking statistics from the SSDO report underscore a deep-rooted crisis in Pakistan’s legal system. While GBV cases continue to rise, the failure to convict perpetrators emboldens criminals and silences survivors.
Unless immediate action is taken, the cycle of violence, impunity, and injustice will persist, leaving women and marginalized communities at risk.
The time for change is now.
Tags:
Pakistan Gender-Based Violence, SSDO Report 2024, Women’s Rights in Pakistan, Rape Conviction Rates, Honour Killings, Domestic Violence Pakistan, Justice System Reforms, Law Enforcement Pakistan, Women’s Safety, GBV Statistics