Pakistan launches strategy to engage men, boys against gender-based violence

ISLAMABAD
The Ministry of Human Rights, with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Thursday launched the National Strategy on Male Involvement to Prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV), seeking to engage men and boys as partners in preventing violence against women and girls.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar presided over the launch ceremony held at a local hotel, which was attended by Federal Secretary for Human Rights Abdul Khalique Shaikh, UNFPA Representative Dr Luay Shabaneh, representatives of the Netherlands Embassy, development partners, civil society organisations and male champions from across the country.
Dr Muhammad Arif, Director at the Ministry of Human Rights, briefed participants on the formulation of the strategy, saying it was developed through extensive consultations, evidence review and engagement with multiple sectors.
The strategy draws attention to the scale of gender-based violence in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18, 28 per cent of ever-married women aged 15 to 49 had experienced physical violence since the age of 15, while 34 per cent had experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by a husband or spouse. The survey also found that 56 per cent of women who reported violence had never sought help or told anyone.
The strategy seeks to address such challenges by engaging men in their roles as fathers, husbands, teachers, faith leaders and community members and encouraging them to challenge harmful social norms and promote positive masculinity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tarar said the strategy was aimed at ensuring that every person could live free from violence and fear.
He said the framework reflected consultations with government, civil society and communities and called for coordinated action by the education, health, security and other sectors to promote a culture of respect and accountability.
The minister pledged the ministry’s support for implementation of the strategy, stressing that it should translate into practical change rather than remain merely a policy document.
Dr Shabaneh said engaging men and boys was essential to preventing violence against women and girls. He said conversations among men could help challenge attitudes and behaviours that contributed to violence and promote equality and respect.
The strategy provides a national framework for programmes focusing on positive masculinity, changing harmful social norms and trauma-informed service delivery. Officials urged federal and provincial human rights ministries to integrate the framework into existing GBV coordination mechanisms.
Development partners were also encouraged to align their support with the national framework instead of pursuing separate initiatives, while civil society organisations and community leaders were urged to take its principles into schools, colleges and workplaces.
The strategy is aligned with Pakistan’s commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action and Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
The event also featured a video presentation on the strategy, testimonials from male champions and a panel discussion titled “Engaging Men and Boys as Allies in Ending GBV”, with participation from civil society representatives and youth leaders.
Officials called for coordinated resources and programmes across the health, education, justice and security sectors to support the nationwide rollout of the strategy.