Every woman knows the fear of stepping outside, even when the sun is shining. Being a woman in Pakistan is not simple. From desi household pressures to daily safety concerns, women face challenges at every step. And the question keeps returning: Why does crime always feel like it somehow connects back to women? While some women possess the strength to respond bravely, the constant reminder of danger in the environment shakes even the strongest hearts.
A woman can tolerate so much, but when it comes to respect, even if she panics, men remain more dominant. That imbalance follows women everywhere, shaping how they behave, travel, and even breathe outside their homes.
Why Women Don’t Feel Safe Outdoors
What makes a woman feel unsafe outdoors, even in broad daylight? When a woman decides to step out without a man, whether for work, errands or anything else, she silently carries trauma. From the moment she leaves home to the moment she returns, fear stays with her. Sitting in a ride becomes stressful because she often faces eve-teasing, the rider adjusting the mirror just to stare at her, unnecessary eye contact, romantic songs playing in the background, unsafe routes, forced conversations, or a fake phone call where the rider loudly talks about “women’s beauty”. If she chooses to walk instead of taking a ride, she doesn’t escape danger. Boys raise their voices when they see her, tease her, follow her, or try to talk to her. She keeps moving, but inside her mind, there is disturbance and tension that stays long after the moment has passed. Women are the foundation of society. If they feel unsafe in public spaces, how can a nation grow or progress? A society that cannot protect its women cannot call itself developed.
Laws That Exist Only in Books
Pakistan has laws for women, but they mostly exist on paper. Implementation is where everything collapses. If a woman feels she is being followed and calls the police, there is often no response. Even when the police arrive, they rarely take the matter seriously. This situation leaves her feeling unprotected and completely alone. If something bad happens to her, instead of receiving support, she becomes the one who is blamed. People question her clothes, her decisions, and why she went out alone. Eventually, even her own family begins to doubt her. The environment around her ruins her confidence and crushes her spirit.
Harassment is Treated Like a Joke
Harassment is treated casually in Pakistan. People laugh it off and say she is overacting. Even in workplaces and schools, girls deal with men touching them intentionally, poking them, staring at them, or making them uncomfortable. The truth is bitter, but this is the reality women grow up with. Due to all this harassment, women become traumatised and fall into psychological distress. Harassment reduces the opportunities available for women. Being scared all the time becomes a part of their life. Their minds stay in constant fear, always alert, always ready for something bad to happen. This fear slowly turns into anxiety, stress and emotional damage. Women are not “too sensitive”; they are simply reacting to an unsafe environment that never gives them a moment of peace. There are so many headlines because every single day a new incident happens somewhere: harassment, kidnapping, assault, stalking, abuse or violence. The stories are not rare; they become daily news. Every headline adds another layer of fear, trauma and helplessness to women’s lives. The number of headlines shows how badly society is failing its women again and again.
Way Forward
When a woman gathers the courage to report an incident, family members often stop her because they fear society more than they fear injustice. Many cases are closed because the system does not take them seriously, leaving her silently broken. A woman is the pillar of society. Respecting her is a duty. Making her feel safe is a responsibility. Protecting her is a priority that cannot be ignored anymore. There must be proper awareness, protection systems and strict implementation of laws. The government needs to change old, weak laws and turn them into strong, effective protections that truly support women. Only then will women feel safe enough to live freely and confidently. Change is possible if society chooses to stand with women.