Faisalabad tops in cases of violence against women in 2023

Faislabad reported the highest incidents of violence against women as 728 females were subjected to sexual assault in 2023, according to the report published by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation on Saturday.

According to the comprehensive report, as many as 17,526 cases of violence against women were reported in Pakistan, of which 10,201 were reported only in Punjab.

A total of 6624 raped cases were reported in the country's largest province where Faisalabad emerged as a top district with 728 rape cases, followed by Lahore with 721 and Sargodha 398 cases.

A maximum number of cases in Punjab were reported under section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 509 (Insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). 

Among all districts, Lahore was a hotspot of violent crime against women with 1464 cases, followed by Sheikhupura (1198) and Kasur (877).

Moreover, Punjab also recorded a surge in anti-women crimes such as kidnapping and honour killing. A total of 562 women were kidnapped in Punjab in 2023, with Lahore (136), Faisalabad (30), and Vehari (26).

While 120 cases of honour killing were also reported across the province with Rahim Yar Khan (9), Jhang (8) and Rajanpur (8).

In Sindh province, 2125 cases of violence against were reported during the year 2023 higher than 2,184 in 2022. 

As many as 1,349 women were abducted across the province, which means that at least 26 women were kidnapped almost every week. 

Sindh reported 346 cases of domestic violence and 200 cases of sexual abuse. 136 cases of honour killing were registered in the year concluded recently.

The report also showed 94 cases of workplace harassment in the provinces in 2023.