Anila Dilawaiz

Pakistan

Title: Ending Gender-Based Violence

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Biography

Anila Dilawaiz is a devoted social worker and ordained Women Pastor from Grace Assemblies of Pakistan, with 17 years of service to her community. She leads "Voice of the Lord Ministries," working on projects ranging from women empowerment to child protection and cancer care. Holding a Master’s in Church Theology (MTh), Anila is also the South Asian Prayer Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) and part of its National Leadership Team.

 

In addition to her community work, she has formed a legal team providing pro bono support in human rights cases. Anila actively conducts small group training sessions addressing forced conversions and child marriages. For over 15 years, she has empowered women in rural areas by teaching skills like sewing and stitching to promote financial independence. Anila also works to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and paedophilia, and she spearheads the "Good Samaritan" project, raising funds to support cancer patients. Furthermore, she has established two schools that offer free education and housing to underprivileged children and orphans, contributing to their brighter future.

Abstract

The World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index 2024 ranks Pakistan 145th out of 146

Countries. This number has worsened compared to previous years, which means that the state of women's rights in Pakistan is currently declining. One of the main factors contributing to this ranking is gender-based violence in Pakistan, along with diminutive political involvement, the education gap, and the deteriorating state of women's economic empowerment.

 

The most prevailing issue in Pakistan against the growth of women's rights is gender-based

violence. Women in Pakistan are facing grave challenges beyond mere discrimination. Honour killings, acid attacks, forced marriages and conversions, female genital mutilation and child marriages are just the tip of the iceberg. Violence takes birth when a right is violated, and for a country which is considered the world’s second-worst in gender equality, the path to progress is long and perplexing.

 

GBV is a gross infringement of Human rights that not only harms the physical body, but

triggers psychological issues, and creates emotional distress, whether it is experienced at familial, communal or national level.

 

This paper calls for an end to gender-based violence vis-à-vis Human Rights through

political reforms, legislative structural changes, and institutional legal reforms. A call for Action is required to end cultural stereotypes, enhance the economic participation of women, close the gaps in the provision of education and health and raise more awareness and empowerment by working at a grass-root level.