In Pakistan, survivors of violence often find themselves entangled in a system that, rather than offering protection and justice, compounds their suffering. From the very first steps of seeking help, they are met with skepticism and shame, perpetuated by the very institutions meant to safeguard them. This pervasive lack of support, combined with botched and often inept investigations, not only deepens the trauma of survivors but also creates an environment where fear and silence prevail, discouraging others from coming forward.

The grim reality confronting a vast number of women in Pakistan is defined by a relentless wave of violence and the erosion of their bodily integrity. This is tragically evidenced by widespread sexual harassment, assault, and rape, alongside the ever-present threats of domestic abuse and so-called honor killings.

A particularly chilling reflection of this dire situation surfaced in recent reports from local media, which brought to light that within a mere 24 days—between July 1 and July 24—46 distinct incidents of abduction and sexual violence against women were recorded in a single district of Punjab, Mandi Bahauddin.

These heinous acts, ranging from the rape of adults and minors to kidnappings, starkly underscore the relentless terror and omnipresent risks that women and girls in the region endure on a daily basis. This, despite the existence of numerous laws designed to impose the harshest of punishments on offenders, including the death penalty.

It is crucial to recognize that these cases from Mandi Bahauddin are not isolated incidents. They are symptomatic of a broader surge in violence against women across Punjab, where 10,201 such cases were documented in 2023 by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation—an alarming 16 percent increase from the previous year.

The roots of this epidemic can be traced to entrenched patriarchal norms and societal frameworks that uphold male dominance and female subjugation. However, the failures of legal and institutional mechanisms that have allowed this state of affairs to persist cannot be overlooked.

While there have been legislative advances aimed at addressing gender-based violence, too often the law enforcement apparatus has been unwilling or unable to enforce these laws swiftly and effectively. This has cultivated a culture of impunity, where perpetrators operate with the belief that they can commit their crimes with little fear of meaningful repercussions. This stark reality is mirrored in the Punjab Gender Parity Report 2022, which revealed that a mere four percent of gender-based violence cases in the province resulted in convictions, with the vast majority ending in acquittals.

In a nation where survivors of rape often find themselves doubted and shamed by the very institutions meant to protect them, the journey to justice becomes an arduous one. The systemic lack of empathy, coupled with flawed and frequently incompetent investigations by medico-legal officers and police alike, deepens the wounds of those already traumatized and deters others from stepping forward.

A harrowing example of this neglect surfaced on July 25, when a woman was allegedly gang-raped in the presence of her husband and child on the outskirts of Lahore. This horrific event starkly illustrates the Punjab police’s recurrent mishandling of such grievous cases. Rather than offering immediate support to the survivor and her family, or swiftly initiating the necessary procedures, officials from the Hafizabad and Nankana Sahib districts instead engaged in a jurisdictional dispute, exemplifying their callousness and incompetence.

Turning attention back to the alarming spate of incidents in Mandi Bahauddin, it is imperative that the Punjab government and local law enforcement break free from their inertia. They must adopt a proactive stance, prioritizing thorough investigations, effective prosecution, and more compassionate support for victims.

Indeed, the need for a transformation extends beyond Mandi Bahauddin. Across the country, law enforcement’s notorious track record of delivering indifferent treatment to survivors of gender-based violence demands a comprehensive overhaul. Police officers must receive training that equips them to handle cases of sexual violence with the sensitivity and professionalism they warrant. Additionally, there must be a concerted effort to expedite and enhance the prosecution of such cases by providing investigators and prosecutors with the modern tools and training necessary to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, thereby dismantling the entrenched culture of impunity surrounding crimes against women.

The disturbing pattern of negligence and insensitivity in the handling of sexual violence cases across Pakistan highlights an urgent need for reform. It is not enough for laws to exist on paper; their enforcement must be accompanied by a deep-seated change in attitude within the law enforcement and judicial systems. Training police officers and prosecutors to approach these cases with the seriousness and empathy they deserve is paramount. Only by holding perpetrators accountable and dismantling the culture of impunity can Pakistan begin to create a safer and more just environment for all women.