In the late 70s and 80's, Pakistan witnessed a regression of women's rights and laws were amended to reflect this discrimination.
[3] However, in the last 10–15 years, there has been some success in passing policies and laws to prevent practices such as early age marriages, honor killings, sexual harassment, domestic violence and rape.
[2] According to a 2009 Human Rights Watch report, 70-90% of Pakistani women suffered with some kind of domestic violence.
[8] Law enforcement authorities do not view domestic violence as a crime and usually refuse to register any cases brought to them.
[12][13] In Pakistan, Hindu and Christian girls are kidnapped, raped, forcibly converted to Islam and forced to marry Muslim men.
It said due to honour, the family members of women concoct stories of abduction and forced conversions".
It affects almost all religious minority groups in Pakistan but Hindu teenage girls in the Sindh province are the main victims.
Even after 70 years, the trend of forced conversions in the country is making a mockery of Pakistan's constitution, which provides equal rights to all religious minorities.
[2] The topic of sex is a taboo subject in Pakistan, therefore women often refrain from reporting their experiences with rape.
Every citizen shall have the right to acquire, hold and dispose of property in any part of Pakistan, subject to the Constitution and any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest.
"[29] Article 310A states: “Punishment for giving a female in marriage or otherwise in badla-e-sulh, wanni or swara.- Whoever gives a female in marriage or otherwise compels her to enter into marriage, as badal-e-sulh, wanni, or swara or any other custom or practice under any name, in consideration of settling a civil dispute or a criminal liability, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years but shall not be less than three years and shall also be liable to fine of five hundred thousand rupees.”[30] The Prevention of Anti Women Practices Act 2011 states: "Whoever by deceitful or, illegal means deprives any woman from inheriting any movable or immovable property at the time of opening of succession shall be punished with imprisonment for either description for a term which may extend to ten years but not be less than five years or with a fine of one million rupees or both.
It was established with the specific purpose to examine policies, programs and other measures taken by the Government for women's development and gender equality.
The strategies of NCSW are Work and lobby with lawmakers, parliamentarians and other decision makers for promotion of laws and regulations aimed at empowering women.
Advocate, lobby and build coalitions and network for promoting women's rights whereas the priorities are Ensuring the development of implementation mechanisms for laws passed in last five years.
A man who wants to enter a subsequent marriage must submit an application and pay a fee to the local Union Council.
The government has issued a COVID-19 alert that provides a helpline, 1099, and a Whatsapp number 0333 908 5709, to report cases of domestic violence during lock down.
[39] Amidst the COVID-19 lockdowns, lost jobs, economic downturn, and husbands working from home, Pakistan is witnessing a disturbing surge in spousal abuse and domestic violence.
Victims of violence can share their sufferings in strict confidentiality with volunteers and social of pain and humiliation.
The Ministry of Human Rights operates helpline number 1099,[29] and the centre is located at Ministry of Human Rights, St # 04, Pitrass Bukhari Road, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad and is reachable over the phone at +92519101256-8[42] The Punjab Women's Toll-Free Helpline 1043 and online complaint form is available 24/7.
Managed and supervised by PCSW,[43] this helpline team comprises all-women call agents, three legal advisors, psychosocial counselor, supervisors and management staff to address inquiries and complaints, and to provide psycho social counseling, on workplace harassment, gender discrimination, property disputes and inheritance rights, domestic violence and other women's issues.