THE recent alleged rape case and the events that followed on the campuses of the Punjab Group of Colleges (PBC) across the province underscore two critical issues in the country: gender-based violence (GBV) and the repression of youth. The systemic marginalisation of young voices, exacerbated by economic disempowerment, gender discrimination, political exclusion, and unnecessary censorship has created a volatile environment where pent-up frustrations can easily surface. Triggered by social media posts from unverified accounts, the alleged ‘fake rape’ case sparked youth outrage, intensified by poor handling by the university administration and law enforcement.

There is no denying that GBV is pervasive across society. But why did this particular case galvanise the youth? It may have done so because it provided an opportunity for young people to unify and organise; the youth found a common cause to rally around. The moment allowed them to challenge ‘oppressive’ authority — both governmental and academic — while becoming a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, for young women, many of whom experience GBV daily, this case created a relatively safer space within educational institutions to voice their anger and frustration.

Overall, the situation highlighted the extraordinary potential of youth when given the opportunity to unite, underscoring the need for lawmakers and provincial heads to harness this collective energy and channel it effectively rather than allowing it to fester and cause further discontent.

The government and other stakeholders must acknowledge that the PGC case was not an isolated incident; rather it was a manifestation of years of pent-up frustration faced by marginalised segments of society — particularly women and youth — who endure being silenced and various other forms of abuse and injustices on a day-to-day basis. The lack of economic opportunities for the young demographic adds to their frustration, turning the situation into a ticking time bomb. Hence, long-term fixes for both youth development and GBV must be prioritised.

The tipping point is fast approaching.

Foremost, there is a need for the promotion of participatory politics so that young people have a platform from which to engage in political discourse, influence decision-making processes, and advocate for new and emerging issues that matter to them. This includes the reinstatement of student unions across all educational institutes, and the establishment of functional and representative youth forums at the district level with equal gender representation. Ensuring these bodies are free from political interference is crucial.

Much of the youth’s resentment stems from a lack of economic independence. Therefore, policymakers must prioritise their economic empowerment, focusing on the provision of decent jobs. While labour laws exist on paper, the reality is that the political economy often enables the powerful to evade accountability, reducing these laws to mere words and leading to the widespread exploitation of young workers. The government must take decisive action to ensure the effective implementation of these laws, prioritise the establishment of labour unions and create job opportunities that are free from nepotism. Equally important is digitally empowering the youth, especially women, enabling them to access economic and educational opportunities more equitably.

Additionally, strengthening legal frameworks surrounding GBV, particularly with regard to implementation, is essential. This entails not only enacting the existing laws that protect individuals from GBV, but also ensuring the provision of survivor-centric support se-

rvices. These mea­sures should be complemented by proper referral mechanisms and awareness campaigns to educate both the youth and the broader community about their rights and the resources available to them.

While youth development has been a significant part of political discourse lately — albeit often limited to lip service — many policymakers steer clear of acknowledging the prevalence of GBV. The taboos surrounding GBV can only be dismantled when policymakers and government representatives openly discuss these issues and the collective need for action. Provincial leaders must show genuine commitment by engaging key stakeholders and implementing strategic measures to tackle the problem with the required sensitivity.

The multiplier effect of neglecting both the youth and GBV could trigger a catastrophe that the nation may be unprepared for. A nuanced approach to addressing these issues is essential, or we risk allowing anti-state actors to exploit this neglected demographic, turning what could be an opportunity for progress into a source of perpetual instability.

The writer is a senior research associate at the SDPI, Islamabad. The views are the writer’s own and do not reflect the SDPI’s position.

X: @AroojWDar

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2024