Pak reported peak in violence against women during pandemic

During the peak of Covid pandemic between January and December last year, when people were forced to stay inside their homes, Pakistan reported 2,297 cases of violence against women from 25 districts across the country, according to a report by the women's rights organisation based in Islamabad. As per the findings of the report, a total of 57 per cent were reported from Punjab, 27 per cent from Sindh, 8 per cent from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6 per cent from Gilgit Baltistan (illegally occupied), and 2 per cent from Balochistan. Out of the total incidents of violence, Punjab reported the highest number of murder, rape, suicide, acid burning, kidnapping, domestic violence and forced marriage. Meanwhile, Sindh had the most number of honour killing.

According to a 2020 report cited by Geo News, at least 11 rape incidents are reported in Pakistan every day, with over 22,000 cases filed across the country in the last six years.As many as 22,037 cases of sexual abuse have been registered since 2015, of which 4,060 cases are pending in the courts. Unfortunately, only 18% have reached the prosecution stage. The research is based on a review of data on the incidents of violence against women collected from various newspapers in Pakistan, which was verified by local police in 25 selected districts.