The Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) has released its 2024 report, “Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan,” shedding light on the alarming rates of GBV across the provinces. The report analyzes the incidents of rape, honor killings, kidnapping/abduction, and domestic violence in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), while emphasizing the dire need for reforms in law enforcement and the judicial system.
The report indicates that a staggering 32,617 GBV cases were reported nationwide in 2024, including 5,339 rape cases, 24,439 kidnappings/abductions, 2,238 domestic violence incidents, and 547 honor killings. Despite these high numbers, the conviction rates remain critically low, with the national conviction rate for rape and honor killings at just 0.5%, and kidnapping/abduction convictions at an even lower 0.1%. Domestic violence cases saw a slightly higher conviction rate of 1.3%.
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Punjab reported the highest number of GBV cases with 26,753 incidents. The province saw 225 honor killing cases, but only two convictions. Of the 4,641 reported rape cases, the conviction rate was a mere 0.4%. Kidnapping/abduction cases in Punjab were the highest nationwide at 20,720, yet only 16 convictions were made. Domestic violence cases totaled 1,167, with only three convictions.
In KP, 3,397 GBV cases were recorded, including 134 honor killings with just two convictions. Rape cases in the province numbered 258, with a single conviction, while kidnapping/abduction cases stood at 943, again with only one conviction. Domestic violence cases in KP totaled 446, but no convictions were reported.
Sindh reported 1,781 GBV cases, with 134 honor killings but no convictions. The province also recorded 243 rape cases without any convictions. Kidnapping/abduction incidents were reported at 2,645, but no convictions followed. Domestic violence cases were recorded at 375, with no justice served.
Balochistan had 398 reported GBV cases, including 32 honor killings with one conviction. Of the 21 reported rape cases, none resulted in convictions. Kidnapping/abduction cases numbered 185, again with no convictions. However, Balochistan had the highest conviction rate for domestic violence cases, with 25 convictions out of 160 cases.
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reported 220 GBV cases, including 22 honor killings with no convictions. The capital recorded 176 rape cases with seven convictions, though data on kidnapping/abduction was unavailable. Domestic violence cases stood at 22, with no convictions.
Syed Kausar Abbas, executive director of SSDO, emphasized the urgency of reforms to protect survivors and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. He called for improvements in police investigations, legal processes, and trial efficiency to prevent the lengthy delays that hinder justice for survivors. Shahid Jatoi, Director Programs at SSDO, highlighted the deep-rooted issues within Pakistan’s criminal justice system, where weak investigations, societal stigma, and prolonged trials contribute to abysmally low conviction rates.
Both leaders called for immediate and comprehensive reforms, urging government bodies, civil society, and legal institutions to collaborate and create a system where survivors of gender-based violence can pursue justice without fear or delay.
