…..
Pakistan faces a persistent crisis of gender-based violence and child abuse, particularly in domestic work. Girls and women employed in homes are often subjected to severe abuse, including physical violence, sexual exploitation, and forced labor.
Despite existing legal frameworks, enforcement remains weak, and cultural norms perpetuate these injustices. A new Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on ending violence against women and girls can provide a robust mechanism to help address these intersecting issues by strengthening legal protections, enhancing enforcement, and fostering cultural change.
Domestic work in Pakistan is often hidden behind closed doors, leaving workers—especially girls—vulnerable to extreme forms of violence and exploitation. The tragic case of Rizwana, a 14-year-old domestic worker in Lahore, who was brutally beaten and tortured by her employer, sparked national outrage. Similarly, the case of Fatima Furiro, a 10-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered, underscores the brutality faced by child domestic workers in Pakistan. In many cases, young girls working as domestic workers are trafficked or coerced into these positions due to their families’ economic duress. This exploitation is fuelled by gender discrimination and poverty, trapping them in a cycle of abuse that is difficult to escape.
Despite the enactment of some protective laws, including the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019 and the Islamabad Domestic Workers Bill 2021, enforcement remains inadequate. Many child domestic workers remain outside the formal legal framework. There is also little accountability for perpetrators of abuse. Individuals in positions of power have been implicated in child abuse, making justice even more elusive.
“Despite existing laws, countless girls remain trapped in abusive domestic work; a new CEDAW Protocol could offer the legal and cultural breakthrough Pakistan urgently needs.”
The creation of a new Optional Protocol to the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women-CEDAW can significantly strengthen protections against GBV and child abuse cloaked as domestic labour in Pakistan in several key ways. International treaties can also influence global discourse and create momentum for cultural shifts. Just as CEDAW has contributed to legal reforms globally, an Optional Protocol can help challenge the normalization of GBV, including child abuse in Pakistan.
Pakistan must take decisive action to break the cycle of gender-based violence and child abuse. A new Optional Protocol to CEDAW focused on ending violence against women and girls could serve as a powerful tool to enhance accountability, protect victims, and drive legislative and societal reforms. Pakistan can and should support the creation of this new Protocol. Doing so would provide much-needed protection for female child domestic workers, who remain at high risk of torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and even murder. Supporting this initiative would also demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable workers and strengthening justice mechanisms. By joining the call for this new instrument, Pakistan could become one of the first Asian countries to champion a transformative global standard. The government must take this step to help create a safer and more just future for women and children.
The writer is Programmes Manager at Bedari, a member of the global coalition at Every Woman.
