Domestic violence remains both a private tragedy and a matter of public concern, demanding state intervention.
Pakistan has ranked 148 out of 148 in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, a stark reminder of the country’s deep-rooted gender inequalities. Against this backdrop, Senator Sherry Rehman recently presented the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly and the Senate.
The bill offers a comprehensive definition of domestic violence, extending beyond physical abuse to include emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic violence. It applies to acts committed by a respondent against women, men, transgender persons, children, and other vulnerable individuals, or anyone with whom the respondent is or has been in a domestic relationship, where such acts cause fear, physical injury, or psychological harm.
Under the bill, perpetrators may face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, along with a fine between PKR 20,000 and PKR 100,000. Importantly, it grants aggrieved persons the right to reside in a shared household regardless of ownership, ensuring protection against forced displacement. The legislation also criminalizes the threat of divorce or contracting another marriage, prescribing up to three years of imprisonment for such acts.
Despite its protective intent, the bill faced opposition from certain groups who invoked religion to challenge its legitimacy. In reality, the legislation aligns with Islamic principles of justice, dignity, and protection of the vulnerable, while confronting entrenched patriarchal norms that have long enabled abuse.
Some critics questioned the necessity of this law. The answer lies in Shanti’s case and countless others like it. Shanti, a 19-year-old newlywed, was brutally raped by her husband just two days after her marriage. Such tragedies expose the devastating consequences of legal silence and social complicity.
Notably, those opposing this bill have rarely raised their voices against abuse itself. Their resistance appears less about faith and more about preserving systems that allow the exploitation of women, children, and vulnerable individuals to continue unchecked.
Defending human rights must remain a non-negotiable national priority.
Beyond legal reform, the passage of this bill sends an important symbolic message: that violence within the home is not a private matter but a public concern demanding state intervention. For decades, domestic abuse has been normalized under the guise of tradition, honor, or family values. By recognizing violence in all its forms, the law challenges this culture of silence and affirms that dignity and safety are fundamental rights, not privileges granted at the discretion of the powerful.
However, legislation alone will not be enough. Effective implementation, public awareness, survivor-centered support systems, and judicial accountability are critical to ensure that the promise of this law translates into real protection on the ground. The true test of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill will lie in the political will to enforce it. Pakistan cannot afford another law that exists only on paper while survivors continue to suffer in silence.
