In Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, an estimated six women are murdered, eight are sexually assaulted, eleven are battered, and thirty-two are abducted on a daily basis. An effective response mechanism is direly needed to counter the incidence of gender-based violence. An assessment of the country’s existing criminal justice system provides insight on what is needed to better protect women and girls.
The segregation of students along racial and socioeconomic lines seen in American schools mirrors the income segregation seen in neighborhoods across the country, and it is critical to consider these divides when responding to it. To address this intensifying issue properly, a public discussion of school integration along with policies that increase neighborhood diversity, enhance district autonomy, and promote socioeconomic diversity in schools are needed.
For decades, religious intolerance and discrimination motivated by blasphemy laws have been salient, notorious features of Pakistan’s societal fabric. Such laws have enabled a culture of fear and ongoing violence waged on religious minorities. A culture shift that entails pro-equity legislation, curriculum reform and a more moderate interpretation of religion is needed to ensure the social protection of all.