Stop Violence against women in Pakistan

1. Introduction

Violence against women and girls is a serious human rights and social development concern in Pakistan. Women and girls may experience different forms of violence, including domestic violence, physical and psychological abuse, sexual violence, harassment, forced marriage, economic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.

UN Women reports that, according to Pakistan's 2017–18 Demographic and Health Survey, 24.5% of ever-married women aged 15–49 had experienced physical and/or sexual intimate-partner violence at least once in their lifetime, while 14.5% experienced it during the previous 12 months. These figures are survey-based historical data and should not be interpreted as a current 2026 prevalence estimate.

Violence can have serious consequences for women's physical health, mental and emotional well-being, economic security, family life and participation in education and community development.

Joy Foundation Pakistan believes that every woman and girl has the right to live with dignity, safety, equality and freedom from violence.

Through the Stop Violence Against Women in Pakistan initiative, Joy Foundation seeks to raise awareness, strengthen community prevention, promote women's rights and connect survivors with appropriate protection, health, psychosocial and legal services.

2. Background

Women in poor and marginalized communities can face additional barriers when attempting to seek help. Poverty, lack of education, social pressure, limited awareness of legal rights, economic dependence and fear of retaliation can prevent women from reporting violence or accessing support.

Rural women may also have limited information about available services and referral mechanisms.

Pakistan has laws and institutional mechanisms addressing violence against women. These include the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2012, the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016, and legislation in other provinces. Pakistan also has legislation addressing workplace harassment.

However, laws alone are not sufficient. Women and communities need information about their rights, prevention measures, available services and safe ways to seek assistance.

3. Vision

A Pakistan where women and girls live in safety, dignity and equality and are free from all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation and abuse.

4. Mission

Joy Foundation Pakistan will work with women, girls, families, community leaders, teachers, youth and other stakeholders to prevent violence against women through awareness, education, empowerment, referral support and community action.

5. Program Goal

To contribute to the prevention of violence against women and girls by increasing awareness of women's rights, strengthening community protection mechanisms and improving access to appropriate support services.

6. Specific Objectives

The program aims to:

• Increase awareness among women and girls about their rights and protection from violence.
• Educate communities about different forms of violence against women.
• Promote attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and discrimination.
• Help women understand available legal and protection services.
• Strengthen referral pathways for women and girls who require assistance.
• Encourage families and community leaders to support women experiencing violence.
• Promote women's economic and social empowerment as part of violence prevention.
• Engage men and boys in preventing violence and promoting respectful relationships.
• Strengthen community-level awareness of child and early marriage and other harmful practices.
• Promote coordination with relevant government departments and specialized service providers.

7. Forms of Violence Addressed

The program will raise awareness about different forms of violence, including:

• Physical Violence
• Physical abuse such as hitting, beating, kicking, burning or other acts causing injury.
• Psychological and Emotional Violence
• Threats, humiliation, intimidation, controlling behavior, isolation and other actions that cause emotional or psychological harm.
• Sexual Violence
• Any unwanted or forced sexual act or behavior.
• Domestic Violence
• Violence or abuse occurring within a household or intimate relationship.
• Economic Violence
• Controlling a woman's income, preventing her from working, taking her earnings or denying access to essential financial resources.
• Workplace Harassment
• Unwelcome conduct, harassment or discrimination affecting women in the workplace.
• Forced Marriage and Child Marriage
• Practices that deprive girls and women of their freedom to make decisions concerning marriage.
• Online and Technology-Facilitated Abuse
• Threats, harassment, blackmail, exploitation or other abuse carried out through digital platforms.

8. Major Program Activities

Activity 1: Community Awareness Seminars

Joy Foundation will organize awareness seminars in villages and marginalized communities.

Topics will include:

• Women's rights
• Forms of violence
• Prevention of domestic violence
• Legal rights and available services
• Child protection
• Safe reporting and referral
• Gender equality
• Respect and dignity
• Importance of education for girls
• Women's economic empowerment

Activity 2: Women's Rights Awareness Sessions

Special sessions will be organized for women and girls in accessible community locations.

Participants will receive information about:

Basic legal rights

Protection mechanisms

• Available government services
• Helplines and referral services
• How to seek medical assistance
• How to access legal assistance
• How to seek safe support in an emergency
• The program will avoid encouraging survivors to confront an alleged perpetrator directly where doing so could increase risk.

Activity 3: Men and Boys for Positive Change

Preventing violence requires the involvement of men and boys.

Joy Foundation will organize sessions for men and boys focusing on:

• Respect for women and girls
• Equality within families
• Non-violent conflict resolution
• Positive fatherhood
• Healthy relationships
• Prevention of harassment
• Rejecting harmful stereotypes
• Speaking out against violence
• Supporting survivors safely

Activity 4: Women’s Empowerment

Economic and social empowerment can strengthen women's ability to make decisions about their lives.

Joy Foundation will connect the violence-prevention program with appropriate women's empowerment initiatives, including:

• Skills development
• Sewing and vocational training
• Small livelihood opportunities
• Financial literacy
• Savings awareness
• Leadership development
• Women's community groups

Activity 5: School and Youth Awareness

Young people can play an important role in building communities free from violence.

Awareness activities for young people may include:

• Respect and equality
• Safe and unsafe behavior
• Prevention of harassment
• Child protection
• Online safety
• Healthy communication
• Conflict resolution
• Understanding consent and personal boundaries in age-appropriate ways

Activity 6: Community Leaders' Engagement

Joy Foundation will engage community leaders, teachers, religious/community representatives, health workers and other influential persons.

The objective will be to encourage community leaders to:

• Reject violence
• Promote women's dignity
• Support safe referral
• Encourage girls' education
• Discourage harmful practices
• Help create safer communities

Activity 7: Referral and Support

Joy Foundation will not attempt to replace professional legal, medical or protection services.

Instead, the Foundation will establish or strengthen referral relationships with appropriate service providers.

UN Women reports that Pakistan has 480 designated gender-based violence courts, including 116 district-level GBV courts, and that a national Digital Victim Support Directory lists more than 500 public and private organizations providing legal aid and support services.

Depending on the survivor's needs and safety considerations, referrals may include:

• Medical services
• Psychosocial support
• Legal assistance
• Police services
• Shelter/protection services
• Government women protection services
• Child protection services
• Other specialized organizations

9. Safe and Survivor-Centered Approach

Joy Foundation will follow a survivor-centered approach.

This means:

• Respecting the survivor's dignity.
• Maintaining confidentiality as far as possible.
• Avoiding victim-blaming.
• Respecting informed choices.
• Prioritizing immediate safety.
• Avoiding unnecessary collection of sensitive information.
• Referring cases to qualified professionals.

Obtaining appropriate consent before referrals, except where mandatory safeguarding requirements apply.

Giving special attention to children and other persons at increased risk.

The program will also maintain appropriate safeguarding procedures for staff, volunteers and community activities.

10. Women's Access to Justice and Services

Women who experience violence may need coordinated support from police, courts, health facilities, shelters, legal-aid organizations and psychosocial services.

UN Women reports that 48,395 new cases were instituted in designated GBV courts across Pakistan during 2023, while 30,631 cases were resolved. The same source notes that Pakistan has specialized police mechanisms and other services addressing violence against women.

These systems are important, but women in rural and marginalized communities may not know how to access them.

Therefore, community awareness and referral information will be a central component of Joy Foundation's program.

11. Health and Psychosocial Support

Violence can result in physical injuries, trauma, fear, isolation and other health consequences.

Joy Foundation will encourage survivors to seek appropriate professional medical and psychosocial support.

Pakistan has Anti-Rape Crisis Cells within district headquarters hospital emergency systems under the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021, intended to provide coordinated medical, legal and psychosocial support to survivors of sexual violence.

Joy Foundation will work through appropriate referral channels rather than providing specialized clinical services itself unless qualified personnel and proper systems are available.

12. Community Awareness Materials

The program will develop simple and culturally appropriate awareness materials, including:

• Posters
• Banners
• Leaflets
• Women's rights information sheets
• Child protection materials
• Social media messages
• Short awareness videos
• Community discussion materials

Messages will emphasize:

“Violence is not acceptable.”

“Every woman and girl deserve dignity and safety.”

“Speak up. Seek support. Protect one another.”

“Educate girls. Empower women. Build safe communities.”

13. Proposed Target Beneficiaries

The program will prioritize:

• Women from low-income households
• Rural women
• Women working in informal employment
• Brick kiln workers' families
• Women with disabilities
• Women facing economic vulnerability
• Adolescent girls
• Young women
• Women experiencing domestic violence
• Women requiring information about legal and protection services

Men, boys, community leaders, teachers and other stakeholders will also participate because violence prevention requires community-wide engagement.