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Muslim Throws Acid on Young Christian Woman in Pakistan

Women belonging to religious minorities, such as Christians and Hindus, are doubly disadvantaged as they are often seen as easy targets not protected by the same social norms compared with those belonging to the majority Muslim community.

Mary James Gill, former lawmaker and executive director of the Lahore-based Center for Law and Justice, said the Federal Ministry for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony insists that forced conversion was not an issue in Pakistan but refuses to acknowledge the daily dangers to Christian and Hindu females.

“Minority girls face harassment and intimidation from Muslim men every day, but their pleas for help go unheeded,” Gill said. “Who is responsible for ensuring the protection of lives and faith of these minority girls in this Islamic republic?”

Despite the efforts of various organizations and activists, the number of acid attacks in Pakistan has continued to rise, with nearly 1,500 cases reported between 2007 and 2022. The impact of these attacks on the lives of women is devastating, with many struggling to make ends meet and facing ongoing discrimination and marginalization.

Church leaders and activists say it is crucial that the government take steps to ensure the safety and protection of all women in Pakistan, regardless of their religion. This includes enforcing existing laws and regulations, as well as implementing new measures to prevent and punish those responsible for these horrific crimes.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year.

This article originally appeared here.