KARACHI: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for a unified national effort to tackle violence against women, warning that rapidly expanding digital spaces have created new avenues for harassment and abuse as the country marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Women in Pakistan face widespread discrimination, domestic violence and workplace harassment, according to rights groups. Online abuse has surged in recent years as millions of new users joined social media platforms. Digital rights advocates say women activists, journalists and public figures are frequently targeted with coordinated harassment, impersonation, privacy breaches and threats, often with little recourse under existing laws.
Sharif said this year’s theme — “United to End Digital Violence Against Women” — underscored the scale of the problem.
“This title draws attention to the various levels and platforms on which women face violence and harassment in the modern era,” he said in a statement. “It provides us an opportunity to reflect and renew our pledge to unite and struggle against it.”
The prime minister urged the adoption of “a multidimensional strategy” that not only prevents abuse but reforms “the exploitative structures of society” and provides support for victims.
