Sixteen days

Every home, every street, every community in Pakistan has known the shadow of gender-based violence (GBV). As the world marks 16 Days of Activism, we must ask ourselves: how many more lives must be scarred before we break this cycle of suffering? Laws to protect women from domestic violence exist. Nevertheless, 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 acutely fixed cultural norms perpetuating violence against women remain mostly unchallenged.

The 16 Days campaign suggests a distinctive opportunity to galvanise action at all levels. Schools, media outlets, and religious institutions can be critical in transforming societal attitudes. It is critical for the government to invest in enforcing protective laws, provide shelters, and challenge toxic masculinity by actively engaging men and boys in this fight. Similarly, the private sector and civil society should collaborate to augment awareness campaigns, ensuring they reach the most vulnerable people. Gender-based violence shatters the foundation of society, making its eradication an ethical need and the only path to true equality and shared prosperity.

Muhammad Shahjahan Memon

Islamabad