Every home, every street, every community in Pakistan is aware of the shadow of Gender Based Violence (GBV). As the world celebrates 16 days of activism, we must ask ourselves: How many more lives must be lost before we break this cycle of suffering? There are laws to protect women from domestic violence. Yet the absence of enforcement turns them into hollow words. Survivors of abuse regularly face stigma, inadequate legal support, and a lack of safe spaces. Moreover, the deeply held cultural norms that perpetuate violence against women go largely unchallenged.
The 16-day campaign offers a distinct opportunity to accelerate action at all levels. Schools, media outlets and religious institutions can be instrumental in changing social attitudes. It is important for the government to invest in enforcing protective laws, providing shelters, and challenging toxic masculinity by actively engaging men and boys in this fight. Likewise, the private sector and civil society should collaborate to scale up awareness campaigns, ensuring they reach the most vulnerable. Gender-based violence undermines the foundation of society, making its elimination a moral imperative and the only path to true equality and shared prosperity.
Muhammad Shahjahan Memon
Islamabad