The misogyny crisis in Pakistan isn’t just an attitude issue, it’s a national pastime. Every few weeks, a new case surfaces where a woman becomes the target of nationwide ridicule, victim-blaming, and hate. The latest controversy centers on Samiya Hijab, who went from being a victim of attempted kidnapping to the internet’s number-one villain (Tribune).
This article unpacks the Samiya Hijab case, Pakistan’s epidemic of gender violence and how deeply entrenched misogyny has shaped society, media and even religion to normalize abuse against women.
The Samiya Hijab Case: From Victim to Villain
Samiya Hijab shared CCTV footage allegedly showing her ex-fiancé, Hasan Zahid, attempting to kidnap her (DAWN). At first, public sympathy was on her side. Zahid was arrested. But soon, the narrative flipped.
When rumors of a prior relationship between the two surfaced (ARYNews), the internet turned against Samiya. In a society shaped by movies like Tere Naam and Darr, relationships are equated with ownership. A common narrative being if a man once dated a woman, she becomes “his property.”
Clerics reinforce this idea online. Many preach that women exist only for men’s use. This further aggravates the misogyny crisis in Pakistan. So when Zahid forced her into a car, many Pakistanis defended him on social media by commenting “What’s wrong? She belonged to him.”
Why Women Are Always Blamed In Pakistan
Screenshots of money transfers, selfies, and gift exchanges circulated online. But none of that matters. The crime at hand was attempted kidnapping. Yet instead of discussing the crime, the internet dissected the woman’s past.
This isn’t new. In Pakistan, women’s credibility is always questioned first. Whether it’s the Minar-e-Pakistan harassment case or domestic violence scandals, the victim is turned into the villain within hours.
Alarming Statistics: Violence Against Women in Pakistan
- Pakistan ranks second-to-last globally in gender equality (Tribune).
- Each year, around 300 women are burned and 400 murdered in the name of honour killing.
- 90% face domestic violence and 84% psychological abuse.
Women commit violence too but the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are men. Even when men are victims, the perpetrators are usually other men.
Despite this, society insists domestic violence has “reasons.” Some TV commentators have argued that a man cannot hit his wife without cause. The clerics in Pakistan have also proposed a bill that allows husbands to “lightly beat” their wives as a form of discipline (CNN). Such thinking normalizes abuse and even murder.
How Media & Pop Culture Fuels Misogyny Crisis in Pakistan
Further aggrevating the misogyny crisis in Pakistan is the media. Pakistani TV dramas often equate male aggression with love (DAWN). The message is simple: If he doesn’t slap you, he doesn’t love you. TV dramas train audiences to sympathize with abusive husbands and pressure wives to forgive them.
This conditioning creates a cycle:
- Media and society romanticize abuse.
- Families and society tell women to “adjust.”
- Men are glorified for dominance.
The entertainment industry packages abuse as passion, cementing misogyny in everyday life.
Religion Misused: Turning Women Into “Property”
Religious influencers often exploit faith to justify abuse. They argue:
- Women are “men’s property.”
- If a woman accepts gifts, she owes the man something.
- Consent doesn’t matter once there’s an exchange of money or favors.
This rhetoric teaches men entitlement: If I spend money on her, I deserve her body. It turns relationships into transactions and fuels harassment on the streets.
The Rise of “Digital Tawaifs” Narrative
Content creators, especially women on TikTok or Instagram, are branded “digital tawaifs” (digital courtesans). People shame them as if simply making content is immoral.
Even influencers’ families join in. One viral example: Zaid Ali’s mother accused women creators of shamelessness and of “taking money knowing what men expect”. Yet, her own household thrives on content creation income.
The hypocrisy is glaring. Profit from the industry while demonizing women who participate in it.
Consent in Pakistan : A Concept Many Still Don’t Understand
Some commentators claimed: “If she got into the car willingly, it’s not kidnapping.” Others said: “Consent depends on whether the man is handsome or ugly.”
This warped logic ignores the basics:
- People must recognize consent as ongoing and allow others to withdraw it.
- Force or coercion nullifies consent.
- Kidnapping is kidnapping, regardless of prior relationships.
People in Pakistan trivialize, mock, or equate consent with material transactions.
Child Abuse & Misogyny Crisis in Pakistan : A National Emergency
The misogyny problem doesn’t stop with women. Children, especially girls, are victims too. In Pakistan:
- A child is abused every two hours.
- Cases involve children as young as six or seven.
- Grave desecration and necrophilia cases have even surfaced.
Some clerics suggests child marriage is permissible (DAWN). This rhetoric emboldens predators, normalizes abuse and creates a culture where even a seven-year-old is unsafe.
The “Men Aren’t Robots” Excuse
One of the most common defenses of male abuse is: “Men aren’t robots. If women wear revealing clothes, men can’t control themselves”.
This excuse collapses because men assault women in burqas even in life-threatening situations, like during floods. Clothing doesn’t protect women. Predatory behavior stems from entitlement, not women’s dress.
Why Misogyny Crisis in Pakistan Affects Everyone
When you encourage men to treat women as property, the cycle eventually affects mothers, sisters and daughters of those very men.
Victim blaming doesn’t protect “honor”, it destroys it. By normalizing violence and justifying abuse, society creates predators who will eventually harm their own families too.
Conclusion: Pakistan Is Not Safe for Women
Pakistan is unsafe for women and for children. Misogyny is systemic, institutionalized and weaponized through media, religion and culture.
But here’s the bitter truth: India and South Asia at large face the same issues. This is not just Pakistan’s problem; it’s a regional crisis of patriarchy and gender violence.
Until society stops blaming victims and starts holding perpetrators accountable, people will keep treating women not as individuals, but as property.
FAQs
Q1. What is the root cause of misogyny in Pakistan?
Deeply entrenched patriarchy, reinforced by culture, religion, and media, fuels systemic misogyny in Pakistan.
Q2. Why are women often blamed in harassment and abuse cases?
Victim-blaming stems from societal conditioning, where women’s credibility is questioned and men’s actions are justified under “honor” or “provocation.”
Q3. How does Pakistani media contribute to misogyny?
TV dramas and films romanticize male aggression as love, normalizing abuse and pressuring women to “adjust” to violence.
Q4. What role does religion play in Pakistan’s misogyny crisis?
While religion itself doesn’t justify abuse, many clerics misuse religious rhetoric to portray women as men’s property, legitimizing entitlement and violence.
Share Your Thoughts
How should Pakistan address systemic misogyny. Stricter laws, media reform, or grassroots activism? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Additional Material
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