A tragic case has shocked Pakistan after an 18-year-old domestic worker, identified as Ayesha, died from complications following a botched abortion. The teenager had fallen pregnant after being gang raped by her employer's son and the family driver.
The Horrific Ordeal
Ayesha worked as a domestic helper for a wealthy family in Lahore to support her own family. Court records reveal she was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by the son of her boss and the family's driver. When she became pregnant, the family pushed her into having an illegal abortion to avoid shame in Pakistani society.
Botched Procedure and Death
In November last year, Ayesha discovered she was pregnant. The family first forced her to take abortion pills, which made her severely ill. After visiting her own family, it was found she was still pregnant. Despite her failing health, her employers pressured her family to bring her back to Lahore for an abortion. The baby died during the procedure, and Ayesha never recovered. She died on May 26 after several hospital visits.
Deathbed Testimony
Before her death, Ayesha recorded a video detailing the abuse she suffered and gave testimony to detectives. The driver has been remanded in custody, while the employer and his son have been granted bail. Ayesha's video went viral in Pakistan, sparking national outrage and a debate about the treatment of sexual crime victims.
Family's Grief and Call for Justice
Ayesha's father told the BBC: "We were in contact with our daughter on the phone, and she never said anything at first that would have made us think she was being raped. When she came to Faisalabad and her health deteriorated, the doctor told us she was pregnant. Hearing this, my legs trembled; it felt like the sky was about to fall on me."
Wider Context of Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan
According to the Foreign Office, gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls is widespread in Pakistan, including murder, so-called 'honour' crimes, rape, kidnapping, and domestic violence. The UN and national bodies report high rates of GBV, but actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting. Reported cases in 2024 included 547 ‘honour’ killings, 5,339 rapes, 24,493 abductions, and 2,238 incidents of domestic violence. Punjab has the highest numbers, but rates per 100,000 women are also high in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad.
