Women and Crime in Pakistan: An Examination of the Legal Framework and Social Context

Abstract

This article contributes to a deeper understanding of the intertwined relationship of gender, law, and society in Pakistan by analyzing women's participation in crime both as criminals and as victims in the broader legal and sociocultural environment of Pakistan. Although women’s criminal behavior is often unrecognized in official crime statistics, as more women appear within the criminal justice system, the noticeable patterns of criminal behavior related to poverty, domestic violence, lack of education, and patriarchal conformity do emerge. The study provides a critique of the current corpus of Pakistani law (the Pakistan Penal Code, the Hudood Ordinances, and new gender-sensitive legislation) as a tool to address women's particular kinds of vulnerability. It also examines the role played by social facets like honor culture, gender-based discrimination, and difficulty accessing justice in the process of criminalizing or making victims of the women. This paper, which analyses legal materials, case law, and interviews with legal practitioners and women this system prevails (conducting qualitative content analysis) reveals systemic lacunae and cultural barriers that prevent justice for women. The report ends with policy suggestions to reform male-centered laws, promote legal literacy, and ensure equal access to justice. This study enriches the existing literature on gender justice in South Asia and underscores the pressing need for an inclusive legal regime that reflects women’s rights and experiences in Pakistan.

Keywords: Women, Crime, Legal Framework, Gender Justice, Pakistan.