SUMMARY of the Article “Rising Rape,” Dawn, October 13th, 2024

The article critically examines the rampant issue of rape and sexual violence against women and girls, both globally and in Pakistan, highlighting the significant role misogyny plays in this widespread problem. It references recent UNICEF estimates revealing that over 370 million women and girls experienced rape or sexual violence before turning 18, with the highest numbers in sub-Saharan Africa and *eastern/south-eastern Asia, at 79 million and 75 million, respectively. In Pakistan, sexual abuse is alarmingly common, as evidenced by the **2023 report from the Sustainable Social Development Organisation, which documented **10,201 cases of violence against women* in Punjab alone—though most cases go unreported. The root cause of this violence lies in *patriarchal social systems* that objectify women, but the state’s failure to uphold and enforce protective laws exacerbates the issue. Despite *progressive laws* and international commitments, the state’s inconsistent approach—where it passes pro-women policies but hesitates to fully implement them—allows sexual abuse to rise unchecked. The editorial stresses the urgency of investing in resources to implement laws, cleanse law enforcement of impunity, and ensure due process. It emphasizes that without reforming police practices and prioritizing women’s development, especially through access to *education* and *mental health support*, the scars of sexual violence will continue to plague survivors, leaving them unable to lead productive lives or form » Read More…