DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Domestic violence is a severe problem in Pakistan in which women are facing many legal, social, and institutional difficulties in getting justice. There are several laws in Pakistan, like the Protection of Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act, 2006, and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2021, but due to implementation gaps and fear of humiliation, these laws are not effectively enforced. This research points out the need for well-defined federal laws and examines the inefficiencies of existing laws. This research identifies the main challenges, including enforcement of laws that protect the rights of women, lack of services to support women, and time-consuming legal proceedings. To solve these issues, it proposes reforms in the legal field, like enforcement of well-defined federal laws, training of judges, and formation of special courts. Furthermore, it promotes women's financial empowerment and knowledge. This research aims to contribute to the judicial system to protect the dignity of victims of domestic violence and their easy access to justice in Pakistan.