By: Zara Amoon
Pakistan marked the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with civil society organisations, government departments, universities and community groups conducting nationwide activities aimed at highlighting the scale of gender-based violence and pushing for practical reforms. The campaign, observed annually from November 25 to December 10, has become a key moment in the country to review gaps in legal protections, confront harmful social norms and amplify survivor voices.
Stakeholders noted that gender-based violence remains widespread across Pakistan, intersecting with socioeconomic inequalities, education levels, rural–urban divides and local power structures.
The campaign was used to break stigma around reporting violence, encourage public acknowledgment of GBV as a state and community responsibility, and advocate for stronger prevention and accountability mechanisms. It also served as a period of coordinated outreach by media, educators, health workers, police, lawyers and lawmakers.
Pakistani activism during the campaign combined grassroots engagement with national-level advocacy. Community organisations and student groups held dialogues, legal aid clinics and awareness events, while national NGOs pressed for reforms in laws and service delivery. Public initiatives ranged from small-town street theatre to digital campaigns and university seminars. Several groups collaborated with religious scholars to counter interpretations that justify violence, aiming to broaden community support for gender equality. More campaigns also included men and boys, alongside survivor-led storytelling initiatives.
Observers pointed to gradual progress in legislative and institutional responses. Over recent years, laws addressing workplace harassment, trafficking and domestic violence have expanded, and specialized police units and crisis centres have been established in some districts. Media coverage and public conversation on GBV have also grown, while universities and public institutions have introduced training modules and internal harassment policies.
However, significant challenges persist.
Underreporting remains widespread due to stigma, family pressure, fear of retaliation and limited trust in police and courts. Survivors in rural areas often lack practical access to shelters, forensic services or legal assistance. Implementation of laws varies across provinces, with gaps in training, coordination and budget allocation. Deep-seated gender norms continue to shape community responses, and online harassment and digital abuse have created new forms of vulnerability.
During this year’s campaign, advocates highlighted several priorities for improving Pakistan’s response to GBV. These included training frontline responders such as police, prosecutors and health workers; expanding survivor-centred services including helplines and mobile legal clinics; advocating for provincial budgets to support implementation of GBV laws; incorporating education on consent and healthy relationships in schools; engaging men and boys to challenge harmful masculinities; strengthening digital safety protections; improving data collection; and supporting survivor leadership in decision-making processes.
Organisations undertook a range of practical activities, including community discussions, legal-aid pop-ups, media training on ethical reporting, police–civil society coordination meetings, digital storytelling campaigns, teacher training and mapping of available services across districts. Some groups monitored the implementation of GBV laws and publicly shared their findings.
To gauge the impact of the campaign, stakeholders tracked indicators such as the number of survivors accessing services, reports filed, prosecutions pursued, personnel trained and helpline usage. Short attitude surveys and commitments from local authorities were also used to measure progress.
Participants and organisers stressed that the 16 Days of Activism remains an accountability moment rather than a conclusion. While the campaign concentrates public attention on gender-based violence, they underscored the need for sustained, year-round efforts to reduce violence, strengthen justice mechanisms and shift social norms. Many noted that lasting progress requires coordinated engagement from state institutions, civil society, educators, health professionals and communities to ensure safety and dignity become everyday realities across Pakistan.