Islamabad:
National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) strongly condemns the horrific and deeply disturbing case of Shanti, a 19-year-old woman from Karachi who died after enduring brutal sexual violence, allegedly at the hands of her husband. This tragedy, while heartbreaking, is not an isolated incident—it is a national emergency that reveals a dangerous gap in Pakistan’s legal framework.
“Rape is rape, even within marriage,” said Interim Chairperson Ume Laila Azhar, reaffirming NCSW’s unequivocal position. “No tradition, no relationship, no cultural norm or religious misinterpretation can justify the forced violation of a woman’s body. Marriage is not—and must never be—a license to commit violence.”
Currently, Pakistani law fails to recognize marital rape as a criminal offence, leaving thousands of women vulnerable to sexual violence with no legal protection or recourse. This legal void not only silences victims but empowers abusers. “Shanti’s case must be a turning point,” Chairperson Ume Laila Azhar declared. “Her name should stand as a call to action—a demand to end legal silence on marital rape and to reform the Pakistan Penal Code immediately.”
NCSW’s Demands:
Amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code to explicitly criminalize marital rape, removing the exemption that shields perpetrators.
Legislative action by Parliament, in collaboration with the Ministry of Law, Ministry of Human Rights, and members from all political parties, to address this legal and moral failure.
Sensitization of police, judiciary, medico-legal staff, and prosecutors to recognize and respond to intimate partner violence as a serious crime.
State-funded psychological, legal, and rehabilitative support for survivors of marital rape and domestic abuse.
Nationwide public awareness campaigns to challenge harmful social norms and educate the public on women’s bodily rights and consent within marriage.
NCSW will initiate national consultations with legal experts, religious scholars, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders to shape an inclusive and culturally grounded legislative strategy that affirms women’s bodily autonomy. “We cannot allow Shanti’s brutal death to fade into silence,” said Chairperson NCSW. “This is not just about one young woman—it’s about every woman in Pakistan who suffers in silence behind closed doors. We demand action. We demand justice. And we demand the recognition that consent does not expire with marriage.”
