The Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Nilofar Bakhtiar, recently addressed a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, drawing attention to the pressing issue of violence against women in the country.
The NCSW, established as a statutory body to combat discrimination against women in Pakistan, is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the social, economic, political, and legal rights of women in accordance with Pakistan’s constitutional provisions and international commitments.
Bakhtiar underscored the urgency of a comprehensive and effective response to address the crisis of violence against women, citing the tragic Noor Mukaddam murder case as a stark reminder of the lives lost and the potential risks faced by countless others. The case, which shook the nation, involved the brutal murder of Noor Mukaddam in Islamabad in July 2021, leading to the conviction of the perpetrator.
Emphasizing the significance of prompt and transparent legal proceedings, Bakhtiar urged the Chief Justice to prioritize and expedite cases related to violence against women. She highlighted the crucial role of accountability in breaking the cycle of gender-based violence and emphasized the potential of a swift judicial response in altering the discourse surrounding women’s safety in Pakistan.
In a broader context, the letter also addressed the rising trend of gender-based violence in the country, referencing a report by the National Commission of Human Rights (NCHR) that revealed a significant number of reported cases of gender-based violence, predominantly domestic violence. The report emphasized the connection between education and women’s ability to report abuse or seek assistance, highlighting various social, cultural, and institutional factors that contribute to the prevalence of domestic violence and the challenges women face in accessing justice and support services.
Bakhtiar’s letter signifies a call to action for the judicial system to prioritize cases of violence against women and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address the underlying social, cultural, and systemic factors that perpetuate such violence.
