Gender-Based Violence Is a Mental Health Crisis; Orange Scarf Symbolizes Solidarity: Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri

**Islamabad (Daily Qudrat):** Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, **Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri**, has described **gender-based violence (GBV)** not only as a criminal issue but also as a **serious mental health crisis**, particularly affecting women and children. She made these remarks while distributing **orange scarves** as a symbol of solidarity against GBV during a committee meeting.

The meeting was convened to further deliberate on a motion moved by **Senator Sherry Rehman under Rule 218**, highlighting the rising incidents of GBV and the failures of administrative and judicial systems. Senators **Syed Masroor Ahsan, Quratulain Marri, Sherry Rehman, Poonjo Bheel, Khalil Tahir, and Atta-ul-Haq** attended the session, along with the Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights and senior officials from relevant departments.

At the outset, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri emphasized that violence must be recognized as a mental health emergency, noting that children raised in abusive environments suffer long-term psychological trauma, perpetuating cycles of violence across generations. She stressed that police stations and prosecution systems must move beyond procedural formalities and adopt **victim-friendly approaches**, ensuring dignity and emotional safety for survivors.

The chairperson expressed grave concern over the **low conviction rate of around four percent**, questioning why decades of legislation and reforms have failed to deliver justice. She stated that the lack of safety for women and girls reflects a failure of the state and social justice system, adding that justice should not depend solely on the courage or resources of victims and their families but on **effective state-level protection, support, and accountability mechanisms**.

Senator Sherry Rehman termed the extremely low conviction rates in cases of **rape, honor killings, and abduction** as unacceptable. She pointed out issues such as victim-blaming, societal acceptance of honor-based violence, and the gap between legislation and implementation. She called for a **comprehensive audit of investigation and prosecution processes**, mandatory recording of statements, and strict safeguards against compromises in serious GBV cases.

Senator Quratulain Marri also remarked that the criminal justice system repeatedly fails victims, noting that compromised settlements often further disadvantage survivors rather than delivering justice.