GENDER-Based Violence (GBV) refers to violence committed against individuals based on their gender or perceived gender. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, religion or socio-economic background. GBV takes various forms, including physical, verbal, sexual, socio-economic and psychological abuse. Psychological GBV is closely linked with other types, compounding the impact on survivors. The consequences of GBV are severe, including physical and mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, permanent disabilities and even death in some cases. In Pakistan, women and children, particularly girls, are the majority of GBV survivors.

GBV in Pakistan manifests in forms such as domestic violence, workplace harassment, acid attacks, sexual abuse, honour killings, trafficking, child/early/forced marriages, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and online harassment/exploitation/violence. While landmark legislation has been enacted in the past two decades to address GBV, some forms, notably child marriages and FGM/C, require further legislative attention. Collaboration between federal and provincial governments, along with ongoing advocacy efforts, is essential to effectively combat GBV and protect vulnerable individuals.

Child, early and forced marriage cases are reported from all provinces of Pakistan and there is no uniform legislation in the country on child/early/forced marriages. Each province sets its own age of........

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