By Alia Zarar Khan
Violence against women has become one of the most disturbing and persistent social crises of our time. Almost every few weeks, another headline captures public attention: a young woman killed in the name of so-called honor, a bride subjected to dowry-related abuse, a girl forced into marriage, an acid attack survivor left with lifelong scars, or a woman murdered simply because she rejected someone’s advances. While each case differs in its details, the underlying pattern remains painfully familiar. These tragedies are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper social failures that demand far more than public outrage after the damage has already been done.
Recognizing this reality does not mean portraying all men as perpetrators. Such a narrative would be both unfair and counterproductive. Every society is home to countless men who respect women, reject violence and step forward to protect those in danger. Recent incidents have demonstrated this contrast. In one acid attack case, one individual committed an unforgivable act before fleeing, while another risked his own safety to help the victim. Their actions remind us that violence is not determined by gender alone but by individual character, values and choices.
Yet these recurring crimes raise an uncomfortable question. Why do they continue despite stronger laws, greater public awareness and widespread condemnation? The answer lies in recognizing that violence rarely begins at the moment a weapon is used or an attack is carried out. Instead, it often develops gradually through harmful beliefs, emotional instability and unhealthy attitudes that remain unchallenged for years.
Many of these attitudes are rooted in cultural norms that continue to shape the way women are perceived. In many communities, women are still viewed as symbols of family honor rather than individuals with independent rights and personal choices. Concepts such as obedience, control and male entitlement are sometimes passed from one generation to the next without serious reflection. In such environments, a woman’s refusal can be seen as a personal insult, while controlling her decisions is wrongly presented as an act of protection or responsibility. These beliefs are often reinforced within families, neighborhoods and social circles, even by people who genuinely believe they are acting in the best interests of those they love.
At the same time, another critical dimension of this crisis receives far less attention than it deserves. Mental health remains heavily stigmatized across many societies, preventing countless people from seeking help before emotional difficulties become more serious. Psychological distress, unresolved childhood trauma, obsessive behavior, poor emotional regulation and an inability to cope with rejection are often dismissed as temporary personality traits rather than warning signs requiring professional support. Mental illness alone does not create violent offenders, and the overwhelming majority of people living with mental health conditions are not violent. However, when emotional instability is combined with deeply rooted beliefs of entitlement, unchecked anger and the absence of healthy coping mechanisms, the risk of harmful behavior can increase. Acknowledging this reality is not an attempt to excuse criminal acts but an essential step towards preventing them.
Governments have responded by introducing tougher laws and harsher punishments, and these measures remain necessary. Strong legal consequences send a clear message that society will not tolerate violence against women. Yet punishment is, by its very nature, reactive. It arrives only after irreversible harm has occurred. No court verdict can restore the face of an acid attack survivor, erase years of emotional trauma or return a murdered daughter to the family left grieving. Justice can hold offenders accountable, but it cannot undo the suffering that victims endure.
This is why prevention must become an equal priority. Real change begins long before a crime reaches a courtroom. Families should encourage open conversations about respect, consent and emotional wellbeing from an early age. Parents must recognize signs of unhealthy obsession, aggression or emotional distress instead of dismissing them as passing phases. Schools should teach children not only academic subjects but also empathy, emotional resilience and conflict resolution. Communities must replace the stigma surrounding mental health with compassion and ensure that professional support is both accessible and affordable for those who need it.
Violence against women cannot be eliminated overnight, but it can be reduced through sustained cultural change, early intervention and greater public awareness. Every life protected through education, emotional support and timely intervention represents a victory that no punishment alone can achieve. By the time a judge delivers a verdict, the damage has often already been done. The greater challenge, and the greater responsibility, is to ensure that fewer women become victims in the first place.
(The writer is a law graduate and advocate of the high court in Pakistan, currently based in Saudi Arabia, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
