Culture of Silent Violence

Nadia khan 

Loralai: The recent acid attack on a young doctor, the alleged abduction and sexual assault of an 18-year-old student, and the killing of a nursing student reportedly by a cousin after she rejected his advances are not isolated tragedies. 

They are symptoms of a deeper societal crisis that continues to undermine the safety, dignity and freedom of women in Pakistan.

Each time such incidents make headlines, public outrage briefly surges before fading into silence. Yet the persistence of gender-based violence suggests that the problem lies not merely in individual criminal acts but in structural conditions that allow such violence to recur with little fear of consequence.

For millions of women in Pakistan, insecurity is not confined to a single space. It extends across homes, workplaces, educational institutions and public areas. Women pursuing education, employment and independence often find themselves navigating environments where harassment, intimidation and violence remain persistent realities. 

This not only restricts individual freedoms but also undermines broader social and economic development.

Educational institutions, which should serve as spaces of empowerment, frequently become sites where female students encounter harassment and discrimination. Many families remain reluctant to allow daughters to pursue higher education or employment due to legitimate concerns about safety. 

As a result, fear of violence becomes a barrier to women’s participation in public life, reinforcing gender inequality.

Equally alarming is the prevalence of violence within the home. Domestic abuse, coercive control, sexual violence and so-called honour crimes continue to affect women across all social and economic classes. Perpetrators are often individuals known to the victims, fathers, brothers, husbands or other relatives. 

Such violence reflects not only criminal behaviour but also deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes that seek to control women’s autonomy and choices.

The scale of the challenge is reflected in global indicators. Pakistan continues to rank among the lowest-performing countries on measures of gender equality. 

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 places Pakistan at the bottom of 148 countries, highlighting persistent gaps in economic participation, education, health and political empowerment. 

These figures are not abstract statistics; they reflect the lived realities of millions of women whose rights and opportunities remain constrained.

A major factor behind the persistence of gender-based violence is weak implementation of existing laws. While Pakistan has introduced several legal protections for women, enforcement remains inconsistent. 

Delayed investigations, lengthy judicial processes and inadequate victim support systems often discourage survivors from seeking justice. Social pressures and stigma further silence victims, while influential perpetrators frequently evade accountability through social or political influence.

The consequences extend far beyond individual suffering. Violence against women erodes public trust in institutions, weakens social cohesion and deprives society of the contributions of half its population. 

No country can achieve meaningful progress while a significant portion of its citizens live under the constant threat of violence and discrimination.

Addressing this crisis requires more than reactive responses to high-profile incidents. The state must strengthen enforcement of existing laws, improve investigation and prosecution mechanisms, and expand protection services for survivors. 

Educational institutions must adopt stronger safeguards against harassment, while public awareness campaigns should challenge harmful gender norms that normalize violence or blame victims.

Most importantly, society must recognise that violence against women is not a private matter or a “women’s issue,” but a fundamental question of justice, citizenship and human rights. Until women can study, work and participate in public life without fear, Pakistan’s aspirations for development, equality and democratic progress will remain incomplete.

Silence has long protected perpetrators. Breaking that silence is the first step toward meaningful change.

Political science graduate  at University of Loralai. She can be approached at: nadiakhan22617@gmail.com

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.