Punjab, October 2 (Daily Kiran) : Reports indicate a troubling trend of violence against women in Punjab, Pakistan. A recent study by the Peace and Justice Network highlights that between 2021 and 2025, there were 195,787 documented cases of violence against women and girls in the province.
The “National Gender-Based Violence Crime Report 2021-25” reveals that approximately 82% of all gender violence cases in Pakistan originated from Punjab. Among these, domestic violence accounted for 14,824 incidents, including 3,746 cases resulting in fatalities.
The report also details 830 honor killings and 442 cases of women being burned. This includes 143 acid attacks and 299 incidents of stove burns. Furthermore, sexual violence is alarmingly prevalent, with 20,560 cases reported in Punjab during the five-year period. This figure includes 16,827 cases of rape and 2,183 incidents of gang rape, along with 189 cases of sexual violence in custody and 1,361 instances of sexual abuse within families.
Kidnapping of women and girls is another significant concern, with 90,965 reported cases from 2021 to 2025, marking the highest number in the report’s various categories. Additionally, there were 68,165 cases of gender violence that did not fall into specific classifications.
The annual breakdown reveals a sharp increase in reported cases: 23,032 in 2021, rising to 28,080 in 2022, and 35,238 in 2023. The numbers surged to 52,824 in 2024, and further escalated to 56,613 in 2025.
The report warns that police statistics only reflect officially recorded cases, suggesting that the actual instances of violence against women and girls could be significantly higher. A separate report released last month emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to combat gender violence in Pakistan, as the issue is deeply rooted in societal norms, personal beliefs, and family dynamics.
Despite several legal amendments aimed at addressing rape, domestic violence, and crimes against women, the rates of prevention and conviction for gender-based violence remain low. The report suggests that a lack of political will, conservative mindsets, social taboos, and complex judicial processes hinder effective prevention of violence against women.
While Pakistani authorities are making some efforts to curb gender violence, these initiatives are often insufficient or poorly implemented, failing to yield significant results. To eradicate gender violence, the report advocates for a fundamental change in the systems and social conditions that perpetuate violence against women, urging collaboration across personal, family, and societal levels.
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