KARACHI: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for a unified national effort to tackle violence against women, warning that rapidly expanding digital spaces have created new avenues for harassment and abuse as the country marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Women in Pakistan face widespread discrimination, domestic violence and workplace harassment, according to rights groups. Online abuse has surged in recent years as millions of new users joined social media platforms. Digital rights advocates say women activists, journalists and public figures are frequently targeted with coordinated harassment, impersonation, privacy breaches and threats, often with little recourse under existing laws.

Sharif said this year’s theme — “United to End Digital Violence Against Women” — underscored the scale of the problem. 

“This title draws attention to the various levels and platforms on which women face violence and harassment in the modern era,” he said in a statement. “It provides us an opportunity to reflect and renew our pledge to unite and struggle against it.”

The prime minister urged the adoption of “a multidimensional strategy” that not only prevents abuse but reforms “the exploitative structures of society” and provides support for victims. 

“Violence against women is not only inhumane and a violation of basic human rights, it is a major obstacle to the peace, development and prosperity of society,” Sharif said.

Pakistan has introduced several policies to strengthen protections for women, though implementation remains uneven. Sharif said his government was taking legislative, administrative and institutional steps to improve safety and expand access to justice, including support centers, police desks for women, hotlines and financial and legal assistance for survivors.

He said independent commissions — including the National Commission for Human Rights, the National Commission on the Rights of Children and the National Commission on the Status of Women — were part of efforts to ensure institutional support. But laws alone, he warned, cannot eradicate violence: 

“No policy can ensure protection unless society itself makes women’s safety a collective priority.”

Sharif urged citizens, religious leaders, educators and community groups to unite against discrimination and abuse. 

“Let us reaffirm our resolve that every woman in Pakistan is able to use her abilities free from fear, violence, exploitation and discrimination,” he said.