Pakistani women prisoners face abuse, reforms demanded
Women imprisoned in Pakistan continue to face discrimination, mistreatment, and abuse, with reports of verbal and physical attacks, denial of medical treatment, and arbitrary detention, according to The Nation. Human rights activists and advocates for women’s rights are calling for urgent reform in the justice system and a shift in cultural attitudes to address these violations.
Samina Shah, a wellknown educationist, philanthropist, and social worker, has drawn attention to the pressing issue of arbitrary detention faced by many women in Pakistani prisons. Shah asserts that many of these women are held without charge or trial due to cultural norms that treat women as property and restrict their freedom of movement and association. This practice violates international human rights standards, which demand due process and a fair trial for all detainees.
The 2020 death of 27-yearold Shumaila Kanwal, who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, highlights the ongoing problem of custodial deaths in Pakistan, often linked to mistreatment and abuse by police and prison staff. A Human Rights Watch report revealed that the majority of women in Pakistani prisons are held for drug-related crimes, typically as low-level couriers or addicts rather than as drug traffickers. These women face significant barriers to legal representation due to inadequate resources and societal attitudes that devalue women’s rights to legal defence.
To protect the rights of incarcerated women, advocates call for improvements in access to legal representation, as well as a shift in societal attitudes towards women. Broader societal changes promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment can include campaigns against gender-based violence and discrimination and programs supporting women’s education and economic development.
Inadequate healthcare services further exacerbate the suffering of women in Pakistani prisons, with many suffering from untreated illnesses and injuries due to a lack of skilled medical staff and poor facilities. The World Health Organization has also expressed concern over the high risk of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse faced by women in Pakistani prisons. These issues have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows a 20% increase in the number of women in Pakistani prisons over the past decade, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures. Addressing the complex issue of women’s rights in Pakistani prisons requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses legal representation, improved living conditions, better healthcare services, and tackling societal attitudes contributing to the abuse of women in detention. Achieving a more just and equal society for all demands collective action, regardless of gender or legal status.