Pakistan, home to 220 million people, has a 49% female population. However, according to the Global Age Gap Index, Pakistan is ranked 142/146 in terms of gender inequality. This is not just a theory. The numbers speak for themselves, gender inequality is the oldest yet most ignored social issue in Pakistan. Throughout the world, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is recognized as an issue that not only affects physical health but also causes lasting psychological trauma and suffering to the victims.

According to the World Economic Forum 2023, 85% of women have experienced violence from their partners, which is an awakening call for Pakistan.

What are the reasons for this violence? Studies find that there are either mental health issues, communication issues, or financial issues. In contemporary times, most of the domestic violence cases are linked to economic pressure; abusers claim that when economic pressure increases, they tend to lose their calm because of job stress. When financial pressure mounts, households are likely to become battlefields, where women are expected to handle anger, poverty, and even abuse. These circumstances not only affect households but are a serious national development concern.

At an Individual level, such circumstances increase health-related problems, chronic illness, and physical injuries, which can be passed on to generations. Furthermore, children who are raised in violent households are more likely to experience mental health problems. As a result, they either drop out of school or become victims or perpetrators of violence themselves. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and social instability.
At the economic front, gender-based violence results in lost workdays, reduced labor force participation, and decreased national output.

According to the UN, gender equality is a critical driver of sustainable development, and countries that fail to protect women’s rights lag on key indicators of growth and governance. In Pakistan’s case, high rates of domestic violence hinder progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to gender equality, health, education, and economic growth. It undermines sustainable development goals for a nation, thus impacting national development.

During COVID-19, Pakistan faced a major economic crisis and saw a sudden, sharp rise in domestic violence. According to the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), 9,401 domestic violence cases in Pakistan were reported. Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) also confirmed the rise in domestic violence and reported that most of the cases were linked to economic uncertainty.

The Study of Pakistan Review of Social Sciences PRSS highlights that a sudden rise in domestic violence during COVID-19 was due to unemployment, job pressure, and mental stress for the future. In Lahore, police records showed that 60% of domestic violence cases during COVID-19 were because of financial pressures on men.

A study of UN Women found that 80% women who are financially independent are likely to leave an abusive relationship.

According to the World Economic Forum 2023, 85% of women have experienced violence from their partners, which is an awakening call for Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey PDHS 2012-2013, 47% of the respondents (male and female) believed that it is justifiable for men to beat their wives.

Surprisingly, not much changed after 5 years, with the next round of data reporting the figure to be around 43% in 2018-2019.  Although the acceptance of domestic violence has decreased from 2012 to 2018 but there is still substantial opposition by the people who think IPV is justifiable.

When a country’s economy collapses, it not only affects the overall GDP but also the households where women, unaware of the reasons, are subjected to violence and are expected to stay silent during such situations. Such crises not only drain accounts but also tear down the walls that are meant to keep women safe. The physiological effect of stress can cause outbursts, giving rise to violent behavior.

Despite this correlation, many states fail to counter this issue, targeting the lives of most women who become victims of IPV. If a woman has no financial independence, she is most likely to stay silent and bear the abuse. This silence and underreporting of such incidents make it difficult for authorities to punish the abuser. A study of UN Women found that 80% women who are financially independent are likely to leave an abusive relationship, unlike women who are dependent on their partners for their financial needs. Therefore, it is pertinent to acknowledge the link between domestic violence and economic stress. If the link between both is not acknowledged, it will extend beyond generations, leading to the growth of a repressed generation.

The solution to these issues is women’s empowerment. It is not only about securing women but about developing their personalities to overcome the trauma and maximize their growth in the future. Women’s empowerment is said to have a doubling effect on the economy of a state; at the domestic level, it helps to reduce domestic tensions driven by economic circumstances; at the national level, it allows states to achieve their developmental goals at a faster pace. According to the UN report, ‘gender equality’ is one of the seventeen major goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

To translate empowerment into reality, the Government must make domestic violence prevention a major part of the economic debate. Introducing laws will not suffice as long as the state provides more funding to safety shelters and takes special measures that protect victims and provide access to legal aid.

When financial pressure mounts, households are likely to become battlefields, where women are expected to handle anger, poverty, and even abuse.

Secondly, states must include policies of women’s economic empowerment, from equal pay to decent work opportunities, paid leave, and empowerment of women-owned businesses. Lastly, this conversation must be kept alive; the word against violence should stay strong, domestic violence should be treated as a crime, and the abuser should be punished accordingly. In conclusion, behind closed doors, the struggle of an economic crisis manifests in broken bones and broken trust. It is time to revive those doors, confront what’s inside, and commit to solutions that protect not just financial markets, but the families who live within their fragile walls.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.