Columnist: Anam Manzoor Hussain
South Punjab, comprising eleven districts including Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan, accounts for nearly one-third of Punjab’s population. The region is predominantly rural, with a Saraiki-speaking population deeply influenced by feudal traditions, clan-based loyalties, and patriarchal norms. Despite Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and commitments under international treaties such as CEDAW (ratified in 1996), women in this region continue to face multiple layers of inequality, with restricted access to justice, property, education, health, and decision-making.
The Silent Epidemic: Intimate Partner Violence
Research from South Punjab indicates that intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most widespread challenges confronting women. Interviews conducted with women across rural districts describe how marital violence is frequently justified on cultural grounds—perceived as “protection,” “discipline,” or even an assessment of a woman’s patience. Younger women, particularly those aged 15–19, uneducated, or residing in joint families, are most vulnerable. Many women internalize abuse as necessary to preserve izzat (honor), reflecting how societal and familial structures normalize male control.
Inheritance Denied
Despite Islamic law and Pakistani legislation acknowledging women’s right to inheritance, the reality on the ground is vastly different. Certain practices, such as Watta Satta (exchange marriages) and social pressure to relinquish inheritance, continue to deny women property ownership. In Punjab, only 10.6% of women own land, and even among these women, actual control often resides with male relatives. Women are often coerced into surrendering property claims in exchange for purported family security, which disproportionately benefits men over women.
Education, Employment, and Public Life: Persistent Gaps
South Punjab exemplifies Pakistan’s overarching gender disparities in a more pronounced manner. The female literacy rate stands at 51.8%, in contrast to 73% for males, with rural female literacy rates dropping to 36%. Women’s participation in the labor force remains limited at 23%, whereas men’s participation is three times higher. A mere 3% of women own homes, compared to 72% of men. Furthermore, political and institutional representation of women is minimal, with only 20% of provincial seats held by women, and a negligible female presence in law enforcement or senior judiciary positions.
Honor and Forced Marriages:
Crimes in the name of honor and forced marriages persist as grim realities in South Punjab. Reports indicate that up to 1,000 women are killed annually across Pakistan in honor-related cases, while conviction rates remain below 2%. High-profile incidents that receive media attention, such as the killing of Urooj and Anisa Abbas for resisting family decisions, only serve to underscore the entrenched culture of impunity.
Laws and Institutions: Progress with Gaps
Over the past decade, Punjab has enacted pivotal legislation for women’s protection:
Protection of Women Against Violence Act (2015): Defined multiple forms of abuse and established protection centers, GPS tracking of offenders, and helplines.
Criminal Law (Amendment) on Rape (2016):
Strengthened penalties, mandatory DNA testing, and ensured female presence during evidence collection.
Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW): Produces annual Gender Parity Reports, operates a helpline (1043), and utilizes digital tools for women’s protection.
Civil society has been equally vital: Organizations such as Shirkat Gah, PAWLA, and Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) offer legal aid, awareness campaigns, and digital safety services.
Climate Change: The Hidden Gender Crisis
Environmental stress poses a frequently overlooked yet critical challenge for women in South Punjab, with droughts, floods, and extreme heat directly impacting their daily lives. Water scarcity necessitates that women and girls devote hours to fetching water, resulting in many girls being absent from school.
Agricultural decline estimated at 15% over the past decade exacerbates food insecurity. Heat stress during pregnancy, menstrual health issues, and rising mental health challenges have all been documented. However, due to their limited land ownership and lack of decision-making authority, women remain excluded from climate adaptation strategies.
Signs of Resilience
Amidst these structural inequalities, women in South Punjab are gradually asserting their agency. Grassroots initiatives encompass promoting drought-resistant crops, home-based gardens, and water-saving practices. Digital platforms and civil society organizations amplify women’s voices through awareness campaigns and legal literacy drives. Policy innovations, such as gender-responsive budgeting and enhanced protections under the PCSW, provide institutional support for women’s participation.
Recommendations: The Way Forward
For meaningful change, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is crucial:
Strengthen Justice Delivery:
Extend women’s protection centers and legal aid services into rural areas.
Challenge IPV Norms:
Launch campaigns that redefine honor and respect in terms of equality and dignity.
Ensure Property Rights:
Streamline inheritance mutation procedures and provide women with legal support against coercion.
Invest in Education:
Prioritize safe schools and transport to reduce female dropout rates.
Address Climate Risks:
Provide rural women with water, health, and food security solutions tailored to local conditions.
Expand Political and Economic Participation:
Enhance quotas, mentorship initiatives, and entrepreneurial opportunities for women.
Support Digital Empowerment:
Scale civil society networks like DRF to widen access to digital safety and advocacy.