Domestic Violence Victims Denied Justice in Sindh Despite 2013 Act

Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013 remains poorly implemented in Sindh despite being passed over 13 years ago. According to legal experts, victims face major obstacles in reporting and seeking justice due to weak enforcement.

In 2025, the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) reported that out of 204 cases registered for domestic violence in Sindh during the first six months, no convictions were recorded. The report also noted that police withdrew 14 cases from court.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) stated that in 2024 alone, 165 women and nine girls were killed due to domestic violence in Sindh, with 250 women and 10 girls subjected to physical abuse. Despite reporting being more frequent in urban areas than rural ones, the actual number of unreported cases is likely much higher.

Advocate Shazia Nizamani, Chairperson of the Sindh Women Lawyers Alliance, highlighted that many victims do not report domestic violence due to complaints often registered by male police officers at police stations. She called for deploying female police officers to handle such complaints from women.