ISLAMABAD: At least 157 women were kidnapped, 112 were subjected to physical assault and 91 were raped across Pakistan in June, says a report compiled by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) and the Centre for Research, Development and Communication (CRDC).

Highlighting a growing trend of violence against Pakistani women by citing data from mainstream media, the report also underscored a significant increase in cases of domestic violence against women. At least 100 cases of domestic violence were reported last month, it said.

Similarly, about 180 children – 93 cases of child abuse, 64 cases of kidnapping and 37 cases of physical assault – across the country were subjected to sexual and physical violence in June.

Punjab reported the highest number of kidnapping incidents as out of 157 cases, at least 108 occurred in the province in June. Sindh reported 22 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with six cases while four abductions were reported across Balochistan. Islamabad saw 17 abductions in the same month.

Punjab also topped in cases of physical violence against women. Out of 112 cases, 66 took place in Punjab, 27 in Sindh, 11 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and eight in Islamabad. No incident was reported in Balochistan. Out of 100 cases of domestic violence, at least 68 were reported in Punjab, 17 in Sindh, 13 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two cases were reported in Islamabad. Balochistan again did not report any case.

At least 91 rape cases were reported in the media in June. Once again, Punjab witnessed the highest number of cases, having reported 53 incidents. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed next with 16 cases, Sindh, 14 and Islamabad, six cases. Balochistan reported two rapes in the same period.

Seven cases each of honour killing and workplace harassment were also reported in June.

Violence against children

As many as 93 cases of child abuse were reported across the country in June.

Punjab saw 36 incidents of abuse, followed by 28 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 18 in Sindh. The lowest frequencies were reported in Islamabad (6) and Balochistan (5).

At least 64 children were kidnapped and 37 were physically assaulted across Pakistan in the same month. In the previous month (May), there were no cases pertaining to child labour and child marriage but in June, five and seven cases were reported, respectively.

SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas said: “The aim of regularly publishing this data is to bring attention to the rapid increase in violence against women and children.”

According to the official, the cases increased in June as compared to the previous month. “We hope that with increased media attention and reporting, the government, police and judiciary dedicate their attention to the speedy processing of cases, their resolution and punishment.”

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2022