Alarming Rise in Violence Against Women in Lahore: Report

News Desk

Islamabad: Lahore witnessed a surge in violence against women, recording 1,464 cases, while Faisalabad topped the list for reported rape cases with 728 incidents in 2023.

The reported cases rose significantly from 14,793 in 2022 to 17,527 in 2023, according to the report compiled by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) based on the data obtained through a “Right to Information” request filed with the Punjab and Sindh Police under Article 19-A of the Constitution.

As many as 1,349 women were reported kidnapped throughout the year, averaging 26 kidnappings per week in Sindh province, as per the report released on Friday.

Lahore emerged as the most concerning hotspot for violent crimes against women, with 1,464 reported cases, followed by Sheikhupura with 1,198, and Kasur with 877.

The issue of rape also escalated alarmingly in Punjab, with a total of 6,624 reported cases in 2023.

This meant that, on average, a woman was raped approximately every 45 minutes. Faisalabad registered the highest number of rape cases at 728, closely followed by Lahore at 721 and Sargodha at 398.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/lack-of-gender-sensitivity-pushes-pakistani-media-into-crisis-mode/

Kidnappings and honour killings were also prevalent forms of violence against women in Punjab. A total of 562 women were reported kidnapped in the province, with Lahore reporting 136, Faisalabad 30, and Vehari 26 being identified as hotspot districts.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of violence against women and to implement effective measures to ensure their safety and well-being across Punjab.

Furthermore, 120 incidents of honour killings were reported in Punjab, with Rahim Yar Khan reporting 9, Jhang 8, and Rajanpur 8 identified as hotspots.

Additionally, 20 cases of human trafficking were reported, with 19 of them originating from Chiniot.

Sindh: There were 2,125 reported cases of violence against women in Sindh province in 2023, compared to 2,184 in 2022. A total of 1,349 women were abducted across the province, averaging approximately 26 abductions per week.

Likewise, there were 346 reported cases of domestic violence and 200 cases of sexual abuse, along with 136 instances of honour killings.

While the number of domestic violence cases remained consistent with those of 2022, there was a significant increase in reported cases of sexual abuse and honour killings. Additionally, 94 cases of workplace harassment were reported in 2023.

Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director at SSDO, expressed concern, stating, “These statistics depict a concerning reality regarding the widespread prevalence of violence against women in both provinces.

It is imperative for all relevant stakeholders to collaborate effectively to address this issue and ensure the safety of women in the region.”