2 days ago
Report Warns Western Support Enables Misogyny Across Pakistan
A report says women and girls in Pakistan face serious risks of violence and abuse.
It argues that foreign support for Pakistan should be linked to stronger protections for women.
The report mentions the killing of content creator Shamso Bibi, who was shot in Taxila on August 14.
Her brother said the killing may have involved a financial dispute and asked officials to help secure justice.
The report also describes honor killings, domestic abuse, sexual violence and forced marriages.
It says these crimes are often not properly reported or punished.
Minority girls, including Hindus and Christians, are described as especially vulnerable to abduction and forced conversion.
The report calls for major reforms in Pakistan.
It also advises foreign women visiting Pakistan to exercise extreme caution.
A PJ Media report argues that Western financial and military support enables a deeply misogynistic culture in Pakistan.
The report calls for legal, social, economic, educational and political reforms to protect women’s rights.
Content creator Shamso Bibi, also known as Ayesha Gilamana, was shot dead in Taxila on August 14.
The report says violence against women, including honor killings, domestic abuse and forced marriages, is widespread and underreported.
It says women and girls from Hindu and Christian minorities face abductions, forced conversions, rape and forced marriages.
- Who
- The report was written by Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut for PJ Media and cites political scientist Gianna Francesca Catolico; victims include Pakistani women and girls and content creator Shamso Bibi.
- What
- The report alleges widespread violence and discrimination against women and argues that Western support for Pakistan helps sustain the problem.
- Where
- The allegations concern Pakistan, while Bibi was killed in Taxila near Islamabad.
- When
- The report was published recently, according to the article; Shamso Bibi was killed on August 14.
- Why
- The report attributes the abuses to systemic failures, social practices and Pakistan’s legal and political framework, and calls for extensive reforms.
Report’s allegations
Authorities’ stated account
Cause of Bibi’s killing
Report’s allegations
The report presents Bibi’s death as part of a broader wave of gender-based killings targeting female social media creators.
Authorities’ stated account
Bibi’s brother Niamatullah said she was allegedly killed over a financial dispute and appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to intervene.
Foreign support for Pakistan
Report’s allegations
The report argues that Western financial and military assistance enables a deeply misogynistic culture and should be reconsidered until meaningful reforms occur.
Authorities’ stated account
The article does not provide a response from Western governments or Pakistani authorities to that allegation.
Key facts
- Report outlet
- PJ Media
- Report author
- Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut
- Victim
- Shamso Bibi, also known online as Ayesha Gilamana
- Bibi’s reported following
- More than 1.3 million followers
- Location of killing
- Taxila, near Pakistan’s capital Islamabad
- Reported circumstances
- Two unidentified men on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire while Bibi was traveling with younger siblings.
- Reforms urged
- Legal, social, economic, educational and political reforms addressing women’s rights
Quotes
Uzay Bulut
Turkish journalist and author of the report cited by PJ Media
“These abuses are mainly rooted in Islam. Pakistan adopted an Islamic Constitution in 1973 and Sharia (Islamic) law in its civil code. In line with Sharia's systematic oppression of women, Pakistani women and girls face severe, systemic human rights violations such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse, honor killings, abductions, forced conversions, and harassment, which remain widespread and largely unpunished.”
thehansindia.com
“Each year, hundreds of women and girls are killed in Pakistan, often by relatives who say they are protecting the family's honor. Deadly violence and physical abuse against women and girls by their family members are widely underreported and often treated by local authorities as private family matters rather than crimes.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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