Azad Kashmir in Crisis: Women Face Rising Violence and Systemic Neglect

Muzaffarabad, (Azad) Jammu and Kashmir: A surge in reports of gender-based violence, harassment, and systemic neglect in Azad Kashmir (Pakistan administrated Kashmir) has ignited fierce public anger, with activists and citizens demanding urgent accountability and reform. Disturbing videos and testimonies of women enduring physical, sexual, and psychological abuse have flooded social media, exposing a deepening crisis in the region.

 “Every Day, a New Horror”: Survivors Speak Out
In the latest incident, a woman from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, bravely came forward to accuse her husband’s elder brother (jeth) of sustained physical and mental abuse. “I am tired of suffering in silence. My dignity is shattered, but I will fight for justice,” she told local media, her voice trembling. Her case mirrors a pattern of normalized violence against women, with victims often driven to desperate measures.

In another harrowing incident, a woman was dragged and beaten inside her home by an intruder. Her teenage daughter filmed the assault, later sharing the footage online to expose the brutality. “I feared my mother would be killed. Filming was the only way to save her,” the daughter said. The video, now viral, shows the attacker fleeing only after realizing he was being recorded.

Political Leaders Accused of Mocking Victims
The crisis has been further inflamed by insensitive remarks from a senior official of the Muslim Conference, a political party in Azad Kashmir. Last week, the leader dismissed women who attempt suicide by jumping off Muzaffarabad’s Domel Bridge as “drama actors” seeking to “defame the state machinery.” His comments sparked outrage, with activists accusing him of perpetuating misogyny.

“Instead of addressing the epidemic of violence, those in power are gaslighting survivors,” said Aisha Khan, a women’s rights advocate. “How many more women must die before the state takes this seriously?”

Public Protests Demand Accountability
Public frustration reached a boiling point last week after a British-Kashmiri woman was allegedly harassed by a Station House Officer (SHO) and a magistrate in Mirpur. The incident prompted the Joint Awami Action Committee to organize region-wide protests, leading to the SHO’s arrest. However, activists warn that arrests alone are insufficient.

“Punishing one officer won’t dismantle the culture of impunity. We need systemic change,” said Farooq Ahmed, a protest organizer.

Suicide Rates and Systemic Neglect
Women’s rights groups highlight a grim correlation between the lack of legal recourse and rising suicide rates among women. At least five cases of women jumping into rivers or off bridges have been reported in Muzaffarabad this year alone. “These are not ‘dramas’—they are cries for help in a society that silences women,” said Dr. Saima Hashmi, a psychologist working with survivors.

Calls for International Attention
Human rights organizations are urging global bodies to pressure authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to enforce stricter protections for women. “Azad Kashmir’s women are trapped in a cycle of violence with nowhere to turn. The world must not look away,” said Amnesty International’s South Asia branch in a statement.

Government Response Falls Short
Despite pledges to address gender-based violence, the Azad Kashmir government has yet to implement robust measures. A proposed Women’s Protection Bill remains stalled, and survivors face bureaucratic hurdles when reporting abuse. “We are tired of empty promises. Our daughters deserve safety, not slogans,” said a mother of three at a recent rally in Mirpur.

The Way Forward
Civil society groups demand immediate action:
1. Establishment of gender-sensitive police units and fast-track courts.
2. Criminalization of victim-blaming by public officials.
3. Nationwide awareness campaigns to challenge patriarchal norms.