Violence against women is a major problem in Pakistan. The issue can show up in a variety of ways, most of which are extreme: honour killings, spousal violence, including marital rape, acid attacks, being set on fire by family members, and attempt on a woman’s life by her husband or in-laws, or even pushing her to commit suicide. According to the country’s most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), 32% of ever-married women between the ages of 15 and 49 report having been physically abused by their spouses, while 1 in 10 women reported being physically abused while pregnant.
Several Pakistani non-governmental organizations have been working with men to address violence against women. Most of the programs in Pakistan that engage men are young and there is scope for growth. However, monitoring and evaluation will help us gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Programs need to understand their unique experiences and should be designed to allow men and boys to explore other conceptions of masculinities. Behaviour change takes time and requires longer-term responses that address the root causes of that behaviour.
