Unseen Battles: A Student’s Call for Action on Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan

Analysis of Conviction and Acquittal Rates

• Low Conviction Rate: Nationwide conviction rate is only 5%, with high acquittals (64%).
• Contributing Factors: Inadequate evidence handling, procedural lapses, challenges in witness testimony, and inconsistencies in legal application.
• Need for Specialized Training: For judicial officers, law enforcement, and prosecutors in handling GBV cases.
• Enhanced Public Awareness: To educate citizens about GBV laws and encourage reporting.
• Improved Victim Protection Services: Ensuring safety, legal aid, and specialized support throughout the judicial process.

Student Perspective on the Crux of the GBV Report:

As students, we are often caught up in the rush of academics, career planning, and extracurricular activities, yet it is crucial that we remain aware of the social challenges that continue to plague our society. The Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan’s (LJCP) 2023 report on gender-based violence (GBV) is a sharp reminder of the severe issues of abuse that affect millions, especially women, across the country.

This report serves as a powerful call to action, urging students, particularly those involved in advocacy and leadership roles, to acknowledge the importance of fighting for justice. The stark reality of the statistics—where pendency rates have skyrocketed by 81%, and cases like sexual violence have surged by 101%—should leave us no room for complacency. For students, this isn’t just an issue to read about and forget; it’s a problem that demands involvement, debate, and solutions.

What stands out to me most as a student is the lack of effective legal handling of these cases. Conviction rates are horrifically low—nationally, only 5% of GBV cases end in conviction. This speaks volumes about the inefficiency of our legal and judicial systems, but it also creates an urgent need for us to raise awareness and push for systemic change. As future leaders and professionals, we can’t ignore the gaps in law enforcement, victim protection, and social stigma that make it difficult for survivors of GBV to find justice.

Furthermore, the report outlines the provinces’ disparities in handling cases, with places like Punjab showing an alarming 100% increase in case pendency. As students from different regions, we need to reflect on how these regional gaps affect the lives of countless survivors and understand that our engagement in the issue cannot be restricted by geographical boundaries. We must push for reforms in both rural and urban settings.

From an educational perspective, this is an important issue to integrate into our discussions and academic work. In fact, many student organizations, including those focused on gender equality, social justice, and community development, could benefit from collaborating with legal experts, activists, and even survivors to help bring real-world solutions. The article also touches on technology’s role in GBV, particularly in electronic crimes, which makes it all the more relevant for the current generation of tech-savvy students. As future professionals, we must ensure that technology doesn’t become a tool for harassment, but a means of empowering and protecting vulnerable communities.

For those of us looking to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, this issue represents a call for critical thinking and engagement. It’s no longer enough to be passive learners. We must actively participate in these critical debates, educate ourselves on these topics, and be part of the solution.

Finally, Ham-Qadam magazine provides a vital platform to discuss these issues. As students, we have the power to write, create, and share narratives that can shape opinions and bring about much-needed societal change. By contributing to this magazine, we have the opportunity to voice our thoughts, ignite debates, and, most importantly, hold our communities accountable.

This isn't just an academic or theoretical issue—it's a fight for the dignity, safety, and rights of every individual. We, as students, have a responsibility to make sure this conversation doesn’t end with a report, but leads to actionable change.

Conclusion & Recommendations

The report underscores the need for systemic reforms to address the growing backlog of GBV cases and the low conviction rates. Key recommendations include:

• Review of Acquittals: Analyze reasons behind high acquittal rates.
• Training for Judicial Personnel: To improve handling of GBV cases.
• Strengthen Victim Support Services: For safety and continued participation in legal proceedings.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: To reduce stigma and encourage victims to report GBV.
• Legislative Reforms: To address emerging trends in GBV and close legal loopholes.
• Resource Allocation: To support the judicial system in handling the growing volume of GBV cases.