Why Does Violence Against Women Happen in Pakistan? Causes, Impact and Support
Violence against women is a serious social and public-health concern in Pakistan. It can occur within marriages, families, intimate relationships, workplaces, and communities. Physical assault is only one form of violence; emotional abuse, threats, sexual violence, controlling behavior, intimidation, and economic abuse can also have profound effects on a woman's safety and well-being.
When asking why men in Pakistan abuse and commit violence against women, it is important not to assume that violence is an unavoidable part of Pakistani culture or that all Pakistani men behave this way. Most importantly, responsibility for violence belongs to the person who chooses to use it.
Research on violence against women points to multiple interacting factors, including unequal power in relationships, harmful gender norms, attitudes that tolerate violence, economic and social pressures, exposure to violence during childhood, substance misuse, and weak access to protective and support systems. The World Health Organization's RESPECT Women framework identifies gender inequality, harmful attitudes and norms, unequal relationships, poverty, substance misuse, and childhood exposure to violence among factors associated with violence against women.
For women affected by abuse, the consequences can extend beyond physical injuries. Domestic and intimate-partner violence can contribute to anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, sleep difficulties, and other mental-health concerns.
For women and families looking for professional mental-health and rehabilitation support, Harmony Mental Health Clinic and Rehabilitation Center can provide a point of contact for discussing appropriate mental-health or rehabilitation services.
This article examines the factors associated with violence against women in Pakistan, explains how abuse can affect mental health, and discusses the importance of professional and women-centered support.
Understanding Violence Against Women in Pakistan
Violence against women includes behaviors that cause or threaten physical, sexual, psychological, or other forms of harm.
Domestic violence and intimate-partner violence are particularly important areas of concern because abuse can occur repeatedly within relationships where the victim may depend on the perpetrator financially, emotionally, or socially.
Violence may include:
Hitting, kicking, pushing, or other physical assault
Threatening to cause physical harm
Sexual violence or sexual activity without consent
Verbal humiliation and persistent insults
Controlling a woman's movements or social contacts
Preventing access to money or employment
Threatening children or other family members
Destroying property as a form of intimidation
Stalking or persistent unwanted monitoring
Using technology to threaten, monitor, or harass
Not every abusive relationship looks the same. Some women experience physical violence, while others primarily experience psychological, sexual, financial, or controlling behavior.
Understanding this broader definition is important because abuse can be serious even when there are no visible physical injuries.
How Common Is Violence Against Women in Pakistan?
Available national data show that violence against women is a significant concern, although the available statistics have limitations and should be interpreted according to their survey year and population.
Pakistan's 2017–18 Demographic and Health Survey reported that more than one-third of ever-married women had experienced spousal violence at some point, including physical, sexual, or emotional violence. The survey also found that about 42% of ever-married women and 40% of ever-married men considered wife beating justified for at least one listed reason.
UN Women currently reports, based on Pakistan's 2017–18 survey data, that 24.5% of ever-married women aged 15–49 had experienced physical and/or sexual intimate-partner violence at least once and 14.5% had experienced it within the previous 12 months. These are historical survey estimates, not a current 2026 prevalence measurement.
The figures illustrate why prevention, education, survivor support, and access to appropriate services remain important.
They also demonstrate why violence should be discussed as a social and health issue rather than simply as a private family matter.
Why Do Some Men Use Violence Against Women?
There is no single cause of male violence against women.
Violence is influenced by individual behavior as well as relationship, community, and societal conditions. These factors can increase risk, but they do not excuse violence or remove responsibility from the person who commits it.
Unequal Power in Relationships
One of the most important factors associated with violence against women is inequality in power.
An abusive partner may believe that he has the right to control his wife's decisions, movements, friendships, finances, clothing, employment, or communication with others.
This type of thinking can turn a relationship into a system of control.
Healthy relationships are based on mutual respect, communication, consent, and shared decision-making. Violence is incompatible with those principles.
Harmful Gender Norms
Social expectations about what men and women "should" do can influence attitudes toward relationships and authority.
When boys and men are taught that masculinity requires dominance, aggression, emotional suppression, or control over women, some may develop attitudes that make abusive behavior more likely.
Similarly, beliefs that women should always obey men can reinforce unequal relationships.
The WHO's current prevention framework specifically identifies transforming attitudes, beliefs, and norms as one of the key strategies for preventing violence against women.
Beliefs That Justify Violence
Violence can become more likely when people believe that certain situations justify hitting, threatening, or controlling a wife.
Pakistan's 2017–18 Demographic and Health Survey found substantial agreement among both men and women with several circumstances presented as reasons a husband might be justified in beating his wife.
These findings do not mean that everyone who holds a particular attitude will commit violence. They do show why attitudes toward violence matter in prevention efforts.
A major part of prevention is challenging the idea that disagreement, disobedience, jealousy, or household conflict gives anyone the right to use violence.
Economic Stress and Financial Problems
Poverty, unemployment, financial insecurity, and economic stress can place pressure on households.
The WHO and UN Women identify poverty and unemployment as community-level factors associated with violence against women.
However, economic hardship does not cause someone to become abusive, and most people facing financial difficulties do not use violence against their partners.
Financial stress should therefore be understood as one possible contributing context rather than an excuse for abuse.
Alcohol and Substance Misuse
Alcohol and drug misuse can increase risks in some violent relationships.
Substances may affect judgment, impulse control, and behavior, and the WHO/UN Women prevention framework identifies men's harmful alcohol or drug use among interpersonal or individual risk factors associated with violence.
This does not mean that substance use is present in every abusive relationship.
It also does not mean that alcohol or drugs are responsible for violence. The person who commits the abuse remains responsible for that behavior.
When substance use and violence occur together, treatment may need to address both concerns.
Exposure to Violence During Childhood
Children who grow up witnessing violence in their homes can be exposed to harmful relationship patterns.
The WHO and UN Women identify childhood experiences of violence and exposure to violence within the family as factors associated with later violence.
This does not mean that a boy who witnesses domestic violence will inevitably become abusive.
Many people exposed to childhood violence do not become perpetrators and may actively reject violence because of their experiences.
However, preventing childhood exposure to violence can be an important part of breaking harmful cycles across generations.
Domestic Violence and the Culture of Silence
One of the challenges surrounding domestic violence is that many survivors may not feel safe discussing what is happening.
A woman may fear:
Being blamed by relatives
Losing financial support
Losing access to children
Social stigma
Retaliation from the abuser
Pressure to remain in the marriage
Lack of alternative housing
Being disbelieved
Further violence after seeking help
Family members may also encourage a woman to remain silent to protect family reputation.
This can make abuse more difficult to report and can delay access to medical and psychological support.
A supportive environment or a female rehab centre should instead communicate that violence is not the victim's fault and that seeking help is legitimate.
Why Some Women Remain in Abusive Relationships
Another common misunderstanding is asking why a woman does not simply leave.
Leaving an abusive relationship can involve considerable practical and safety challenges.
A woman may depend on her partner for housing, money, transportation, or access to healthcare. She may have children and worry about what will happen to them.
She may also fear that leaving will provoke additional violence.
Social and family pressure can make the situation even more complicated.
For this reason, leaving should not be treated as a simple decision. Survivors may need safety planning, legal information, financial resources, housing assistance, medical care, and emotional support.
The focus should be on increasing a woman's safe options rather than blaming her for circumstances she did not create.
How Violence Affects Women's Mental Health
Violence against women can have serious psychological consequences.
The WHO identifies intimate-partner and sexual violence as important public-health concerns associated with physical injury and mental-health consequences, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and other difficulties.
A woman who has experienced abuse may develop:
Persistent anxiety
Depression or low mood
Fear and hypervigilance
Nightmares
Sleep difficulties
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of confidence
Social withdrawal
Emotional numbness
Trauma-related symptoms
Increased use of alcohol or drugs as a coping strategy
Not every survivor will experience the same symptoms.
Some women may recover with support from trusted people and community resources, while others may need professional psychological or psychiatric treatment.
Trauma and Women's Mental Health
Repeated abuse can affect a person's sense of safety and trust.
A woman may continue feeling threatened even after leaving an abusive environment. She may become highly alert to potential danger, avoid reminders of what happened, or experience intrusive memories.
These experiences can be associated with trauma-related mental-health conditions, but only a qualified professional can determine whether a person meets the criteria for a specific diagnosis.
Trauma treatment for women should be approached carefully and respectfully.
A trauma-informed professional may consider the woman's safety, personal history, current circumstances, symptoms, and preferences when developing a treatment plan.
The aim is not to force someone to discuss traumatic experiences before they are ready. Treatment should prioritize safety and establish trust.
Depression and Anxiety After Abuse
Women experiencing domestic violence may develop symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Depression can involve persistent sadness, loss of interest, hopelessness, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms.
Anxiety may involve excessive worry, fear, restlessness, sleep difficulties, physical tension, or panic symptoms.
These symptoms can be caused by many factors, so they should not automatically be attributed to domestic violence without professional assessment.
When symptoms are severe or interfere significantly with everyday functioning, a qualified mental-health professional can assess whether counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric care, medication, or another form of treatment may be appropriate.
When Inpatient Treatment May Be Considered
Not every survivor of domestic violence requires inpatient treatment.
Some women can receive appropriate support through outpatient counseling, psychiatric appointments, primary healthcare, community services, or other forms of professional care.
In more complex situations, however, a woman may require a structured treatment environment.
For example, inpatient treatment for anxiety and depression may be considered by qualified professionals when symptoms are severe enough to require a higher level of support or monitoring.
Inpatient care may also be relevant when mental-health difficulties occur alongside substance-use disorders or other serious concerns.
The decision should be based on professional assessment rather than on the fact that a woman has experienced domestic violence alone.
The Role of Women's Rehabilitation Services
Some survivors develop problematic alcohol or drug use while attempting to cope with trauma, anxiety, depression, or prolonged stress.
When substance use becomes difficult to control, professional rehabilitation may be appropriate.
A women-focused program can provide a structured environment where addiction and associated mental-health concerns can be addressed together.
For women seeking specialized care, a female rehabilitation center in Lahore may be an option to explore when comparing treatment providers.
Women's rehabilitation services may include:
Addiction assessment
Individual counseling
Group therapy
Behavioral therapy
Psychiatric assessment
Medication management when clinically appropriate
Family counseling
Relapse-prevention planning
Recovery education
Aftercare support
The specific services available differ between facilities, so families should ask about the qualifications of the clinical team and the level of care provided.
Why Women-Centered Treatment Can Matter
Some women may feel more comfortable discussing trauma, relationships, sexual health, parenting, domestic abuse, or substance use in a women-centered environment.
A women-only rehabilitation setting may provide additional privacy and a sense of safety for some individuals.
However, the most appropriate treatment setting depends on the woman's circumstances.
A facility should not be selected solely because it describes itself as women-focused. Families should also consider professional qualifications, treatment methods, medical support, confidentiality, emergency procedures, and aftercare.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Violence?
Preventing violence against women requires more than telling women how to protect themselves.
The WHO's RESPECT Women framework identifies several evidence-based areas for prevention, including strengthening relationship skills, empowering women, ensuring services, reducing poverty, creating safer environments, preventing child and adolescent abuse, and transforming harmful attitudes and norms.
Teach Healthy Relationship Skills
Young people can benefit from learning about communication, consent, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and respectful relationships.
Challenge Harmful Ideas About Masculinity
Men and boys should not be taught that aggression, control, or dominance are requirements of masculinity.
Healthy masculinity can include responsibility, empathy, emotional awareness, respect, and the ability to resolve conflict without violence.
Strengthen Women's Economic Independence
Education, employment opportunities, financial resources, and access to property and financial services can increase women's ability to make independent decisions.
Economic empowerment alone cannot eliminate violence, but it can reduce some barriers that make it difficult for women to seek support.
Improve Access to Services
Survivors may require multiple forms of support.
Healthcare providers, mental-health professionals, police, legal services, shelters, and social-service organizations can each have an important role.
Pakistan has established various legal and institutional mechanisms addressing violence against women. UN Women reports national and provincial legislation as well as specialized mechanisms and services, while also identifying continuing gaps in implementation and access.
How Families Can Support Women Experiencing Abuse
Families can play an important role in helping women access safety and support.
Helpful responses include:
Listening without judgment
Taking the woman's concerns seriously
Avoiding victim-blaming
Asking what support she wants
Helping her identify safe options
Supporting access to healthcare
Respecting confidentiality
Helping her connect with appropriate professional services
Family members should avoid confronting an abusive partner without considering the potential safety consequences.
A woman experiencing immediate danger should prioritize getting to a safer place and seeking appropriate emergency or local support.
How Men Can Help Prevent Violence Against Women
Men have an important role in preventing violence.
This begins with recognizing that disagreements do not justify intimidation or physical force.
Men can contribute by:
Rejecting violence as a form of conflict resolution
Treating partners as equals
Respecting consent and personal boundaries
Challenging sexist jokes and harmful stereotypes
Learning healthy communication skills
Seeking professional help for anger or substance-use problems
Supporting friends who want to change harmful behavior
Teaching boys that strength does not require domination
Men who recognize that their behavior is becoming threatening or abusive should seek qualified professional support rather than waiting until violence escalates.
Anger management, behavioral treatment, substance-use treatment, or psychological counseling may be appropriate depending on the circumstances.
When Should a Woman Seek Mental-Health Support?
A woman does not have to wait until her symptoms become overwhelming before seeking help.
Professional support may be appropriate when she experiences:
Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Severe or ongoing anxiety
Recurrent nightmares
Difficulty sleeping
Intrusive memories
Social withdrawal
Difficulty concentrating
Frequent panic symptoms
Increased reliance on alcohol or drugs
Difficulty performing normal responsibilities
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
A qualified mental-health professional can determine what type of support may be appropriate.
If someone is in immediate physical danger or experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, emergency services or urgent medical care should take priority.
Choosing Mental Health and Rehabilitation Support in Lahore
When looking for a rehabilitation center Lahore residents can access, families should look beyond general claims and ask specific questions.
Consider asking:
Are qualified mental-health professionals involved?
Is every client assessed individually?
Is trauma-informed care available?
Can the facility address addiction and mental-health concerns together?
Is women-focused treatment available?
What happens during a medical or psychiatric emergency?
Are family counseling services available?
Is confidentiality explained clearly?
Does treatment include aftercare?
What happens after discharge?
A professional assessment should guide the level of care.
For some women, outpatient counseling may be enough. Others may benefit from structured residential rehabilitation or more intensive mental-health treatment.
Recovery Is Possible, but Support Matters
The effects of violence can continue long after the immediate abusive situation has ended.
A survivor may need time to rebuild trust, confidence, financial independence, relationships, and emotional stability.
Recovery is not necessarily a straight line.
Some women may benefit from psychotherapy. Others may require psychiatric treatment, addiction treatment, medical care, legal assistance, social services, or a combination of these forms of support.
A woman's recovery plan should reflect her individual circumstances rather than assuming that every survivor needs the same intervention.
Professional services can provide an important part of that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some men in Pakistan abuse women?
There is no single cause. Research identifies factors associated with violence, including gender inequality, harmful gender norms, attitudes that tolerate violence, unequal relationship power, poverty and unemployment, substance misuse, and exposure to violence during childhood. These factors can increase risk but do not excuse abuse or remove responsibility from the perpetrator.
Is domestic violence caused by Pakistani culture?
It is more accurate to discuss specific social norms, inequalities, relationship dynamics, and institutional factors rather than treating an entire culture as the cause. Pakistan has diverse communities and social environments. Harmful norms can contribute to violence, while many individuals, families, organizations, and institutions actively work to prevent it.
Can domestic violence cause depression and anxiety?
Exposure to intimate-partner violence is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and other health consequences. However, individual experiences differ, and a qualified professional should assess persistent or severe symptoms.
Does every woman experiencing domestic violence need rehabilitation?
No. Rehabilitation is not automatically required after domestic violence. Depending on the woman's circumstances, she may need safety planning, medical care, counseling, legal assistance, social support, or other services. Rehabilitation may be relevant when substance-use or significant mental-health concerns require structured treatment.
How can men help prevent violence against women?
Men can help by rejecting violence and controlling behavior, respecting consent and equality, learning healthy conflict-resolution skills, challenging harmful gender stereotypes, and seeking professional support when they struggle with anger, substance use, or abusive behavior.
Conclusion
Understanding why violence against women happens in Pakistan requires looking at the multiple factors that can contribute to abusive behavior without excusing or normalizing it. Gender inequality, harmful beliefs about male authority, unequal relationship power, financial stress, substance misuse, exposure to violence during childhood, and social tolerance of abuse can all be relevant factors.
At the same time, violence is a choice for which the person who commits it is responsible.
For women who experience abuse, the consequences can extend into physical and mental health. Anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, sleep problems, and substance-use difficulties may require professional attention.
Mental-health and rehabilitation services can form part of a broader recovery plan, alongside safety, medical, legal, and social support. Creating safer relationships also requires men, families, communities, and institutions to challenge harmful attitudes and support equality, respect, and non-violence.
