Progressive Laws in Patriarchal Societies

Lessons from Pakistan

Sara Malkani

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Hardback

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English

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
10 July 2025

Gender & the law

Over the last two decades, Pakistan has seen major legislative changes in the area of gender-based violence. This book explores the impact and ongoing influence of these changes. A frequent refrain in political and social commentary in Pakistan is that these laws, while transformative on paper, have not translated to actual change in the lives of women and girls because of poor implementation. Through analysis of court cases, data on criminal proceedings, and interviews with activists and survivors, this book demonstrates how the impact of progressive laws is influenced

by entrenched social norms and structural flaws in state institutions, especially the criminal justice system. Sara Malkani sheds light on limitations of the formal justice system while showing how law reform can create openings for activists to pursue gender justice.

By: Sara Malkani
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781666917147
ISBN 10: 1666917141
Pages: 184
Publication Date: 10 July 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Women Shape Laws Chapter 2: Prosecuting Rape Chapter 3: Child Marriage and the Pitfalls of Protection Chapter 4: Domestic Violence: Enforcement and Backlash Chapter 5: Upholding Formal Justice: Activism against Honour Killings and Jirgas Chapter 6: Assessing the Past and Looking Ahead References Index About the Author

Sara Malkani is a lawyer and researcher based in Karachi, Pakistan.

Reviews for Progressive Laws in Patriarchal Societies: Lessons from Pakistan

Sara Malkani presents a powerful analysis of the journey and impact of major legislative changes aimed at addressing gender-based violence in Pakistan and distills critical lessons that will be useful for lawyers, policymakers, activists, and scholars everywhere. Her thoughtful critiques of feminist and carceral approaches to addressing gender-based violence in Pakistan and rigorous scrutiny of their strengths and limitations, as well as the real-life consequences for those who seek justice, will make even the most seasoned reformer question their own assumptions about how to use the power of the law to create a world free from gender-based violence. -- Melissa Upreti, former Chair Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls