Case Explained: Violence Is a Crime — So Why Is Justice Still Out of Reach for Women? – Legal Perspective

If violence has been declared a crime in every circumstance, why is the path to justice still so difficult? And why do new laws remain confined to paper only?

Member of the National Assembly and Pakistan Peoples Party worker Sharmila Farooqi presented the Domestic Violence Bill 2025 in Parliament, which has now been approved. Apparently, this is a welcome step — but the real question is: is making a law alone enough?

Under this bill, subjecting a wife or any woman to pressure, fear, or suffering; threatening divorce or a second marriage; and emotional, psychological, or financial harassment have all been declared crimes. 

The law does not apply only to women — it also covers children, men, the elderly, transgender persons, persons with disabilities, adopted individuals, and other household members.

Violation of this law can result in up to three years in prison and a fine of one hundred thousand rupees. It also clearly states that forcing a wife to live with her husband’s family against her will, or violating her privacy and dignity, is a punishable offense.

But the question remains: were there no laws before this?

The Pakistan Penal Code already contains more than thirty provisions meant to prevent violence against women. For example, Section 498-A makes depriving a woman of her inheritance a crime punishable by up to ten years in prison. Section 498-C declares forced marriage of a woman a crime.

Similarly, the Anti-Harassment Law of 2010 was introduced to protect women in the workplace.

Despite all these laws, the reality is that many women still silently endure the abuses inflicted on them by their husbands and in-laws. In our society, women are taught at all costs to “keep the home intact,” and if children are involved, even the thought of divorce is treated like a sin.

Social pressure and attitudes force women to tolerate all forms of violence. The fear of “what will people say,” concerns about where the children will go, and the worry that her parents’ home will treat her as a burden — all these fears tie her down.

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As a result, she may spend her entire life with an irresponsible, addicted, or unemployed husband. She cleans houses or works small jobs to support the entire family, endures mental and physical abuse — all just to avoid the stigma of being called “divorced.”

A third and very important reason is lack of financial resources. Many women remain silent thinking that at least two meals a day, a roof over their heads, and so-called “honor” are still intact.

And the most serious issue is our judicial system, which is so slow that justice takes years — and sometimes never comes. A woman who already stays silent out of fear of defamation — will she have the courage to enter such a system and fight a legal battle?

Physical violence can be proven through visible injuries, but how can a woman prove mental and psychological abuse inflicted by a husband, in-laws, or close relatives? Courts demand evidence, not feelings.

While reading this law, I was reminded of a Pakistani drama in which Umair Rana and Nadia Khan played a married couple. In anger, the husband slaps the wife, and she sends him to jail. The in-laws immediately demand divorce. Nadia leaves with her child to her brother’s house, where she faces taunts from her sister-in-law and eventually starts working. In the end, overwhelmed by problems at home and outside, she reconciles with her husband.

The truth is that real life is far more terrifying.

Suppose a woman gathers the courage to have her husband punished — will he change after coming out of jail? Will he give her love and respect? Certainly not. In many cases, he asserts his power and ego even more strongly. In a society where a man’s ego cannot tolerate even a polite response from his wife, how will he accept legal action against him?

Now consider the life of that woman, who may become homeless and helpless with her children. In today’s inflation, even well-off people struggle to run their households — who will bear the expenses of two or three additional people?

And if a woman bravely decides to live separately and even finds a job, she remains caught between two worlds. Stay home, and financial resources vanish. Work outside, and she constantly fears for her children’s safety.

This is why we need a justice system so strong and effective that, like in Western countries, a woman can believe that filing a complaint will improve her life, not worsen it. If her husband leaves, the government should take responsibility for providing shelter, employment, children’s education, healthcare, and protection.

Making laws alone will achieve nothing. The real need is implementation. We need a system where criminals are actually punished, because only when punishment is certain can crime truly be reduced. Otherwise, laws written on paper cannot heal anyone’s wounds.

Note: This article reflects the personal opinion of the writer, which does not necessarily represent the views of the organization.