News Detail
Event Title: Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Chairperson Senate Functional Committee On Human Rights presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2025-12-18
“Wearing Orange for Justice, Senate Human Rights Committee Says No to Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan”
Recognizing Gender-Based Violence as a Crime Against the State Is Essential for Justice
Through the simple yet powerful gesture of distributing orange scarves to symbolize unity against gender based violence, Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri reaffirmed that every voice matters and every life is sacred during the meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights.
The meeting was convened to further deliberate on the motion moved under Rule 218 by Senator Sherry Rehman concerning the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) and systemic failures within administrative and judicial responses. Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Qurat ul Ain Marri, Sherry Rehman, Poonjo Bheel, Khalil Tahir, and Atta ul Haq attended the meeting, along with the Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, and senior officials from relevant departments.
At the outset, Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri emphasized that gender-based violence must be recognized not only as a criminal offence but also as a profound mental health crisis, particularly affecting women and children. She noted that children raised in violent domestic environments often grow up with deep psychological trauma, perpetuating cycles of abuse across generations. She stressed that police stations and prosecution mechanisms must move beyond procedural formality and provide victim-friendly environments that ensure emotional safety and dignity, especially for traumatized survivors.
The Chairperson expressed serious concern over persistently low conviction rates, hovering around four percent, questioning the effectiveness of the justice system despite decades of legislation and reform efforts. She remarked that if women and daughters remain unsafe, it reflects a broader failure of state responsibility and social justice, rather than shortcomings of victims’ families. She underscored that justice cannot depend solely on the resilience or resources of victims and their families, and that state-led protection, support, and accountability mechanisms are essential.
Senator Sherry Rehman highlighted the unacceptably low national conviction rates in cases of rape, honour killing, and kidnapping. She pointed to widespread victim-blaming, social acceptance of violence under the guise of honour, and the persistent gap between legislation and enforcement. She called for comprehensive audits of investigation and prosecution processes, mandatory recording of statements, and stronger safeguards against compromises in serious GBV offences.
Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri emphasized that survivors are repeatedly failed by the criminal justice system, noting that compromised cases often force victims back into abusive environments. She stressed that low conviction rates reflect institutional failure rather than a lack of reported offences and called for accountability across the entire criminal justice chain.
The Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, informed the Committee that reported GBV cases increased significantly between 2021 and 2024, particularly in domestic violence cases. While improved legislation has contributed to increased reporting, conviction rates remain largely unchanged. Provincial representatives outlined challenges including weak investigations, evidentiary gaps, pressure on victims, compromises, and prolonged trial delays. Members stressed the need for standardized data collection, criminal law amendments, specialized training, strengthened forensic capacity, legal reforms, witness protection, and comprehensive survivor support, including medical, psychological, and legal assistance.
The Chairperson informed the Secretary, Human Rights Division, to constitute a committee in pursuance of the Committee’s directions. The committee shall gather inputs from all concerned stakeholders and relevant departments and shall compile and submit consolidated recommendations for consideration by the Committee. The matter has accordingly been taken up as a task for further action. These directions constitute the final decision of the Committee on Motion No. 218.
Concluding the meeting, Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri emphasized that gender-based violence is a grave social injustice requiring coordinated federal and provincial action and should be treated as a crime against the State. She directed all provinces and relevant departments to provide actionable recommendations focused on victim-sensitive policing, prosecution reforms, strengthening forensic capacities, survivor and child mental health support, state protection mechanisms, and preventive strategies. These recommendations shall be consolidated through the committee formed by the Secretary, Human Rights Division, to identify systemic gaps and propose practical measures aimed at improving conviction rates and ensuring justice for survivors.