Special Correspondent
Quetta — The latest report by Aurat Foundation highlights the alarming rise in violence against women in Balochistan. According to the report, between January and December 2024 alone, 73 serious incidents of violence against women were reported, including murder, honor killings, abduction, suicide, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
Key statistics from the report reveal that:
- In 2024, 52 women were murdered
- Of these, 19 were killed in the name of honor
- A total of 73 severe cases of violence were reported
- The most affected districts were Quetta, Loralai, Jaffarabad, and Naseerabad
The report also includes data from 2019 to 2024, showing that:
- Over the past six years, 248 cases of women being murdered were reported in Balochistan
- 134 cases were classified as honor killings
- A total of 382 serious incidents involving violence against women were documented
Experts and social activists stress that these figures only represent reported cases. In Balochistan’s remote and tribal regions, many such incidents go unreported due to cultural norms and local traditions that often suppress such issues.
Civil society and human rights organizations have urged the government to take immediate action to curb violence against women by:
- Enacting effective legislation
- Ensuring swift and strict implementation of existing laws
- Launching awareness campaigns to educate the public on women’s rights
This report serves as a wake-up call for women’s safety, and without prompt intervention, the crisis could escalate further.
