12/06/2026
When incidents like the acid attack on a young doctor in Quetta, the murder of an elderly woman by her husband, and the assault of a 17-year-old girl occur within a short period, people naturally ask, "What is happening to our society?"
There is rarely a single explanation for any one case. Each incident has its own circumstances and legal investigation.
But collectively, they challenge us to reflect on the values we are promoting as a society: Do we teach empathy or entitlement? Respect or control? Accountability or excuses?
Violence against women does not happen in isolation. It often stems from a combination of factors:
Patriarchal mindsets that treat women as possessions rather than individuals with autonomy and rights.
Normalization of violence within homes and communities, where controlling or abusive behavior is dismissed as a "private matter."
Weak accountability and delayed justice, which can reduce deterrence and erode trust in legal systems.
Victim-blaming attitudes that shift focus from perpetrators to the women affected.
Lack of education around consent, emotional regulation, and respectful relationships, especially for young people.
Social silence, where communities witness warning signs but hesitate to intervene or speak up.
That is why these incidents are not just crime stories. They are opportunities for difficult but necessary conversations about safety, justice, gender attitudes, and our collective responsibility to create communities where women can live without fear.
