32% of Pakistani Women Suffer Violence: UNFPA

News Desk

Islamabad: 32 per cent of women in Pakistan have endured violence, and one-half of these women never sought assistance or disclosed their experiences with violence to anybody, according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Violence against women is one of the most common human rights violations worldwide. Gender-based violence manifests itself in numerous heinous ways, including physical, sexual, psychological, and digital assault, both offline and online.

Any type of violence has an impact on the survivors’ physical and mental well-being and can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal thoughts or behaviours, and anxiety. As per the report released on Friday by the UNFPA, survivors may lose their sense of identity, dignity, or self-worth.

Digital abuse of women and girls is one of the most common types of violence in today’s society. Online sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and the unauthorised use of photographs and video are all examples of digital violence.

Globally, 85 per cent of women witnessed digital abuse and nearly 40 per cent of women have personally experienced it. Online harassment and disdain for women lead to long-term psychological, emotional, and bodily suffering.

Global figures show that 35 per cent of women have experienced mental health problems as a result of online aggression, and 92 per cent of women say that it negatively affects their feeling of wellbeing. The professional and financial well-being of women and girls who rely on online and social media venues is impacted by digital abuse.

UNFPA efforts to end GBV

Everywhere they go, women and girls have the right to feel protected. The ‘16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women’ campaign is launched on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is time for everyone to reflect on how to end gender-based violence (GBV).

Together with other campaign partners, the UNFPA is working hard to bring an end to gender-based violence, child marriage, and other harmful practises by increasing awareness, fostering advocacy, and igniting action.

By providing women and girls with knowledge about their bodies and rights and by educating men and boys about the negative effects of gender-based violence, the organisation strives to abolish gender-based violence by the year 2030.

It also promotes strong legal safeguards for victims of violence and supports the system that enables survivors of GBV to seek medical care, legal assistance, and psychosocial support.