Imagine Sara, a 22-year-old university student in Lahore. She excels academically but comes home to constant tension with her in-laws. She faces restrictions on mobility, subtle threats, and emotional manipulation masked as “family discipline.” Sara’s story is not unique—millions of Pakistani women, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, face the same pressures. While the country has made strides in education and women’s rights, societal norms like dowry expectations, child marriages, Watta Satta, and honor-based violence continue to inflict deep psychological wounds. The challenge is clear: how can young Muslims, particularly students and future leaders, recognize and respond to the systemic injustice that shapes the mental health of women, while fostering ethical change rooted in Islamic principles?
Why This Issue Exists
Cultural practices in Pakistan often deny women autonomy and subject them to abuse. Norms such as prioritizing sons over daughters, restrictions on mobility, and domestic violence are socially tolerated. Honor-related violence, stove-burning, and acid attacks illustrate the extreme marginalization women endure. These practices create a cycle of fear and helplessness, significantly increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among women. Studies show that 50–70% of women experience domestic abuse, yet societal stigma silences most victims.
At the root is a rigid patriarchy and the false conflation of male honor with female behavior. Islam, when correctly understood, advocates for justice, dignity, and protection of the vulnerable—principles largely neglected in the enforcement of cultural norms.
Impact on Society and Muslim Identity
The marginalization of women does not only harm the victims; it corrodes society. Children witness violence and internalize fear, affecting educational outcomes and emotional development. Men grow up with distorted ideas of power and entitlement, perpetuating cycles of abuse. For students and young Muslims, recognizing these patterns is crucial. A society that restricts half its population from participating fully weakens its intellectual, ethical, and spiritual potential. Upholding women’s rights is therefore both a moral and civic responsibility.
Islamic Lens
Islamic teachings repeatedly emphasize dignity, justice, and compassion. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” The Qur’an commands men to treat women with respect and prohibits oppression. Student leaders and youth can harness these teachings to challenge harmful customs, support survivors, and cultivate ethical norms that reflect the spirit of Islam rather than outdated cultural traditions.
What to do
- Educate Yourself: Learn about Islamic rights for women and contemporary legal protections in Pakistan.
- Speak Up: Challenge sexist remarks or abusive practices in your peer groups or families.
- Support Women: Volunteer with NGOs, helplines, or campus groups addressing domestic violence and mental health.
- Promote Awareness: Organize workshops, discussion circles, or social media campaigns about women’s mental health.
- Foster Ethical Leadership: Ensure future workplaces, classrooms, and communities value fairness, dignity, and inclusion.
Women’s mental health in Pakistan reflects a broader struggle for justice and dignity. As young Muslims, students, and future leaders, you have a responsibility to confront oppressive practices, uplift marginalized voices, and embed ethical action in daily life. Change begins with knowledge, courage, and empathy. By promoting justice and compassion in line with Islamic principles, we not only empower women but strengthen the moral fabric of our society.
