Reflecting an alarming rate of violence against women (VAW) in the country, a qualitative review of VAW statistics by the Aurat

Foundation (AF) reveals that in the first six months of 2012, a total of 4,585 such cases were reported in the media across Pakistan.
By average, the prevalence of reported cases of violence against women in Pakistan has increased by 7 per cent as compared to the year January to June 2011. The monitored stories clearly revealed that younger and married women were more often a target of violence against women. Around 1913 cases of VAW occurred with married women, 1,615 occurred to women who were unmarried, 38 victims were divorced and 71 were reported widows. The report identifies below 18 years of age as most susceptible to violence. Around 59 per cent of the victims were below 18 years of age, 31 per cent were 19-36 years old and 9 per cent were over 36 years of age. The FIR has been registered for nearly 65 per cent of the reported cases of violence against women. Statistics show that 69 per cent of violence against women incidents were reported from Punjab with Lahore, Okara and Sargodha topping the list districts with highest reported cases. Apart from these districts, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Gujrat, D G Khan, Pakpattan, Muzaffargarh, Sahiwal and Sheikhupura are among the 15 top districts with highest number of VAW cases.

Despite extensive efforts to control honor killing incidents, 436 such cases were reported in past six months. The most reported crimes against women (24 per cent) were kidnapping and abduction. Among total, 17 per cent reported cases were of murder. Sindh was marked for second highest number of reported VAW cases.

Among total number of VAW incidents, 3,153 cases were reported in Punjab, 1,027 in Sindh, 283 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 78 cases were reported in Balochistan. Murder was the most prevalent crime against women reported in Sindh and KP. Around 15 per cent from Sindh and 55 per cent of the reported VAW cases from KP were of the murder. According to the monitored data, suicide was also reported frequently with 349 such cases reported from all over Pakistan in past six months. Only in Balochistan 17 women reportedly committed suicide from Jan-June 2012. Low number of total cases reported from Balochistan might be an indicator of the fact that it is more difficult for women to gain access to media or other sources to report this violence.

District Administrative authorities Role are still dependent / Tribal Influences are still Active Against VAW.

Majority of the Women Victims are the poorest those are residing as a slaves in few Districts.
Tribal social fabric needs to be changed ..man made law is Still Alive,, Due to Cultural Norms Women were never targeted in killing & Kidnapping earlier but Now this is common in Balochistan. VAW issues, karo kari are acceptable & Still supported by Tribal Elders in Few Districts of Balochistan. Minorities are now also adopting / Practicing Honor Killings in Balochistan. Walver System in few Pashtoon districts are depriving Young Girls from timely marriages.. Incidents of honor killings in Balochistan were double in year 2011 as compared to 2010 statistics. women friendly laws are available but unfortunately implementation of these laws is highly deplorable. the

Formation of EVAW/G Alliance Balochistan Chapter. Advocacy on Implementation of Pro Women Legislations Passed by GoP. Orientation / Formation of Organizational / Departmental Committees on Harassment ACT 2010.

Ensuring 5 % Quota of Women in All appointments in Balochistan Government Departments.(Notification Expected) .

Formation of Provincial Harassment Act & CEDAW Implementation Committee.

We are deeply concerned about the discriminatory laws based on patriarchal values and beliefs such as the Hadood Ordinances, Law of Blasphemy , Qisas and Diyat laws that still exist in the statutory books. These laws reinforce discrimination, perpetuate violence against women and create impediments in womens social and economic progress. We demand that the Government repeal these laws based on the recommendations of the NCSW and womens rights organizations. We are deeply concerned about the increasing crimes of domestic violence and acid violence committed on women, we call upon the Government for immediate legislations against Domestic Violence in all the Provinces of Pakistan to ensure implementation on legislation against Acid Violence that criminalize such heinous acts and provide justice, protection and rehabilitation services to survivors fighting their cases.

We wish to bring to your notice the impact of current crisis on women and girls in Baluchistan and other high conflict zone regions in Pakistan. The Government and humanitarian agencies need to understand the atrocities faced by women and girls in crisis situation. All humanitarian responses need to be gender based and involve women and girls in all social, economic, political development and peace building processes. Government should implement policies and laws that protect women from violence during and post crisis situation

 Women and girls have little faith in the Criminal Justice System of Pakistan, due to the harsh and insensitive attitude of the police and courts. Legal institutions should be unbiased and sensitive when handling cases of crimes committed against women and should proactively investigate and provide justice to women at all levels Women have the right to participate and contest elections, we demand an equal representation and political participation of women in the upcoming elections 2013, 50% of tickets to contest elections should be awarded to deserving women by all political parties irrespective of class, status, caste, ethnicity , religion, cultural background etc. etc..The Election Commission of Pakistan should develop a criteria to ensure womens political participation.

When making new policies and laws, rights of minority women should be regarded, there are no laws for Hindu marriage registration and laws that give the right to marriage and divorce to Christian community we therefore demand that the Government pass the laws that have been reviewed and amended by the NCSW.