n 2022, Aurat Foundation, a women’s advocacy group, stated in its annual report that at least 66 women had been killed in the name of honour in Balochistan over the year, an increase from 57 in the previous year. It is feared that many incidents go unreported.

Issues such as domestic violence, early and forced child marriages, cousin marriages, unequal property rights and a lack of decision-making autonomy for girls are prevalent in Balochistan.

During a two-week campaign in the Uthal locality of Lasbela district, civil society workers came across girls and women who mentioned these issues. A joint initiative by the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI-Balochistan) and the UNFPA had launched a campaign from November 25 to December 10 to mark the 16 Days of Activism. The campaign aimed at ending gender-based violence.

The campaign addressed various topics, including HIV awareness, Women’s Human Rights Defenders Day, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development and seminars on Human Rights Day.

The primary goal was to combat violence against women and girls in Uthal, Lasbela district and raise awareness, where violence against women surged after the unprecedented floods of 2022 caused by climate change.

During this campaign, a dozen girls shared harrowing stories. Durdana (name changed), who gave birth to her first child in October 2022, was prominent among them. She said her marriage had barely lasted a year and that she now resides with her mother.

Durdana says her former husband drives a truck between Karachi and Lasbela. Living in a joint family with her husband’s three sisters, two brothers and their parents, she had felt compelled to respect their sentiments. This often resulted in hurt feelings.

In October, when Durdana gave birth to her daughter, instead of celebrating, they were unhappy and began taunting her for having a girl. The family believed that the birth of a girl was a burden, as girls cannot contribute to supporting the family through paid work.

Women in Balochistan remain at the bottom of the social hierarchy, with poor access to land, credit and the freedom to choose their partners; even to get an education. While some families send their daughters to school and respect their right to inheritance, in many tribes, women are denied inheritance.

Durdana says she had to leave her husband’s house and start living with her mother. She says her husband has stated that he will not return to her unless she moves back to his mother’s house.

Amina, was engaged to a cousin in her native village in a suburb of Uthal at barely 15. Two years later, the boy’s family terminated the engagement because Amina worked with a polio team for one day. Her school headmistress had recommended her for the polio campaign. She could not save her engagement despite quitting school.

Women in Balochistan remain at the bottom of the social hierarchy, with poor access to land, credit and the freedom to choose their partner; even to get an education. While some families send their daughters to school and respect their right to inheritance, in many Baloch tribes, women are denied inheritance.

Adeela Bakhsh (name changed), a 32-year-old married woman with two children, is fighting her four brothers, who have denied her share of their father’s property—a piece of land and two shops in the town. Adeela, an only daughter, had lost her father to a cardiac arrest last year. When the brothers decided to distribute their father’s property, they denied her her share, citing her marital status. Adeela is still struggling to secure her inheritance.

For many women in Balochistan, their families and tribal structures are stumbling blocks. The state has done too little to bring about positive changes in their lives.

Although the constitution provides for equal rights, and the chapter on Principles of Policy emphasises equal treatment to all citizens, regardless of sex, as of 2023, women in Balochistan still find it exceedingly difficult to make their decisions and enjoy equal rights.

The writer is a psychologist currently studying for an MS in psychology at SZABIST, Karachi