Pakistani Christian women victims of violence: another case in Punjab

On 11 June, Rashid, a Muslim, raped Fatima (not her real name) in her home, after harassing her for months. “I'm afraid to step outside,” said the victim; he was “trying to force me to convert”. For Joseph Janssen, president of Voice for Justice, this is a systemic emergency in “a  society dominated by patriarchal” structures. The victim is receiving legal assistance and psychological support.

Mian Channu (AsiaNews) – A deeply disturbing case of sexual and physical violence against Fatima (not her real name), a Christian woman living in Mian Channu, has refocused national attention on the ongoing abuse and discrimination against women from minority religious communities in Pakistan.

On 11 June 2025, a man identified in the First Information Report (FIR) as Rashid, a Muslim allegedly armed with a gun attacked Fatima in her home.

According to the complaint filed at the police station in Saddar Mian Channu, the attacker forced his way into her house while an accomplice stood watching from outside.

Rashid had been harassing the woman for a long time before entering the house. Under threat, she was forced to undress and was brutally assaulted.

Fatima’s husband, a worker at a local brick kiln, and a neighbour heard her screams and intervened and forced open the locked door. Rashid, caught in the act, brandished his gun and fled with his accomplice.

Speaking outside the police station in Mian Channu, Joseph Janssen, a prominent minority rights activist and president of the international organisation Voice for Justice, strongly condemned the incident.

He highlighted the broader problem involving women from religious minorities in Pakistan, who are particularly targeted because of their faith.

“Fatima’s case is a tragic but a familiar reminder of the dangerous intersection of gender-based violence and religious persecution,” Janssen explained. “Sexual violence against minority women is not rare – it’s a systemic human rights emergency that is often met with silence and inaction.”

Janssen added that minority women like Fatima are particularly vulnerable, not only because of their gender, but also because of their faith and economic status. It is therefore important to look at the phenomenon through the lens of intersectionality.

“These women are isolated, marginalised, and viewed as disposable. In a society dominated by patriarchal and religious majoritarian structures, their safety is secondary,” he stated.

“Fatima lived under constant threat. She had been harassed and pressured to convert and marry her attacker for over a year. No one acted because the perpetrator has influence and a criminal history. She was an easy target because she is Christian, female, and poor.”

After the attack, Janssen personally visited the police station to ensure that charges were filed under all applicable sections of the law. He confirmed that a dedicated legal team is now assisting Fatima and her family.

“This is not just rape – it’s armed assault and a hate crime. We will take this case as far as necessary – even to the High Courts. And we will ensure Fatima receives both legal aid and psychological support,” the activist continued.

Fatima openly shared the trauma she continues to suffer. “I cry all night and cannot sleep. I’m afraid to step outside. For over a year, he harassed me – trying to force me to convert to Islam and marry him. He threatened me constantly, and no one intervened because of his power.”

Janssen assured Fatima and her five underage children that they are not alone. “We are with her in this fight—for justice, for dignity, and for change,” he said.

• pakistan
• violence against women
• gender
• minorities
• discrimination
• persecution
• racism