The Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched Pakistan’s first National Strategy on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Islamabad. The launch marks a significant national milestone in advancing a coordinated, survivor-centred, and rights-based response to technology-facilitated harm against women and girls.
As digital spaces reshape civic, economic, and public life, the Strategy positions digital safety as a governance priority and highlights the growing urgency of addressing online harms through stronger prevention and protection mechanisms, institutional coordination, and accountability.
Inaugurating the launch, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, described the Strategy as a landmark initiative: “Pakistan has made significant progress in strengthening legal frameworks to protect women from gender-based violence, harassment, and workplace discrimination. As more women and girls engage in digital spaces for education, work, and civic participation, new threats, such as cyber stalking, doxxing, coordinated trolling, and AI-generated abuse, have emerged, affecting individuals across all social and professional backgrounds. Pakistan’s first National Strategy on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence will strengthen institutional coordination, ensure survivor protection, promote responsible engagement with digital platforms, and prioritise awareness and prevention. This marks an important milestone in creating safer, more inclusive, and empowering digital spaces for all women and girls,” he said.
Abdul Khalique Sheikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, outlined the government’s roadmap for operationalizing the Strategy, emphasizing strengthened inter-agency coordination and institutional accountability to ensure its effective implementation.
In 2024, eight million new female users came online, reflecting meaningful progress in digital inclusion. Yet the protection gap remains stark: the same year saw 135,000 cybercrime complaints, with only 826 cases proceeding to prosecution – a rate of just 0.6%.
Speaking on the occasion, Saba Sadiq, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights, emphasized the importance of awareness and public engagement in addressing online harms.
“Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is an emerging challenge that requires not only strong institutions but also greater awareness and collective responsibility. This Strategy will help guide our efforts to promote safer digital environments, empower women and girls to participate confidently online, and ensure that their rights are protected in the digital age,” she said.
Echoing the call for institutional commitment, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Chairperson of the Gender Mainstreaming Committee, National Assembly, said, “Ensuring accountability and strengthening the justice system are central to combating technology-facilitated gender-based violence. This Strategy provides a clear framework for institutions to respond effectively, protect survivors, and uphold the rights of women in digital spaces. It represents a crucial step toward building a more inclusive and equitable society, where every woman can participate safely and with confidence.”
The programme featured a strategic overview of the national framework, a discussion on key implementation considerations, and a panel discussion on translating the strategy into effective institutional response and survivor-centred delivery, with contributions from key public institutions, oversight bodies, and civil society stakeholders.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk framed the Strategy as a forward-looking governance reform that strengthens institutional accountability while safeguarding women’s and girls’ participation in digital spaces. “Pakistan’s digital future must be assessed not only by scale, but by the protections it delivers. This Strategy embeds safety and accountability into Pakistan’s digital governance mechanisms. The task now is to turn this into practice,” he said.
Sam Waldock, Development Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships and practical action for effective implementation. “Global cooperation and sustained partnerships are essential to addressing emerging digital harms. By working together with governments, civil society, and technology stakeholders, we can ensure that women and girls are protected online and that digital spaces are safe, inclusive, and empowering for all,” he said.
As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in everyday life, the National Strategy on TFGBV provides a structured pathway to strengthen institutional response, protect rights, and ensure and advance safer digital protection for women and girls across Pakistan.
