Gender based violence particularly against women has become a serious problem in Pakistan. A major factor contributing to the alarming trend is the lack of education and awareness about gender-based issues. Another reason why such crimes are still committed is the involvement of powerful and influential people who exploit religion and culture for their own benefits. These were the findings of a comprehensive outreach programme that Individualland Pakistan, an Islamabad-based consultancy and advocacy group undertook with the support of USAID and Aurat Foundation on the ‘Sensitisation of media personnel on Gender Equity’ in 2011.
The project was initiated with a baseline survey to gauge the existing perceptions of the public and media on gender equity. The results of the survey were representative of the fact that gender-based violence and injustices are prevalent in Pakistan, particularly in areas that are still under the influence of the feudal culture. For instance in Chaghi and Pishin, Balochistan, women did not even participate in the survey. There is an alarming trend of accepting unjust social practices, such as honour killings, especially in the rural areas of all the provinces.
