Exploring Complex Realities Around Gender Based Violence, Multiple Legal Orders and Role of Police in Addressing GBV Cases in Pakistan and Pakistani Immigrant Community in Norway

Project Information

GBV_COP_SOC

Grant agreement ID: 101105900

DOI

10.3030/101105900

Project closed

EC signature date 11 April 2023

Start date 15 August 2023

End date 14 August 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 210 911,04

Coordinated by

NORGES MILJO-OG BIOVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GBV_COP_SOC (Exploring Complex Realities Around Gender Based Violence, Multiple Legal Orders and Role of Police in Addressing GBV Cases in Pakistan and Pakistani Immigrant Community in Norway)

Reporting period: 2023-08-15 to 2025-08-14

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within Pakistani society and among Pakistani immigrant communities in Norway is a serious issue. The study examined how entrenched patriarchal norms and power imbalances perpetuate violence against marginalized groups, particularly women, across both national and diasporic contexts.
Hosted by the Centre for Community-Based Policing and Post-Conflict Police Reform at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), and supervised by Professor Dr. Shai Divon, the fellowship focused on mapping the complex legal pluralities and the role of police institutions in addressing GBV. The research explored how formal and informal legal systems interact in Pakistan and Norway, and how these systems influence victims’ access to justice. Key findings revealed that cultural mechanisms such as honor, privacy, and religious interpretations often undermine formal legal protections and reinforce GBV. The study also highlighted the potential of community policing as a proactive strategy to address root causes of gender-based crimes through collaborative partnerships between police and local communities.
By comparing the experiences of Pakistani women in rural and urban settings in both countries, the project identified critical gaps in service provision, legal enforcement, and victim support. The research contributes to the broader discourse on human security, legal pluralism, and culturally sensitive policing, offering policy-relevant recommendations for more effective GBV prevention and response strategies.
To address this issue, the main aim of this research, focusing on Pakistan and the Pakistani community in Norway, was to study GBV as a cultural phenomenon, establishing which cultural mechanism and legal pluralities are involved in the violence itself and in the many ordinances, laws and police-community initiatives undertaken and passed to ensure the safety of disadvantaged groups and particularly women, to come up with recommendations for more efficient strategies, regulations and measures to prevent and control GBV.
The following were three main objectives of the research:
1. How is GBV defined by Pakistani and Norwegian men and women in specific cultural and social settings
(rural/urban, Pakistan/Norway)? The intersectional lens will be used to understand the perception of men and
women regarding GBV.
2. To identify the mechanisms/services designed at governmental level, particularly in policing (both in Pakistan
and Norway)?
3. To explore the options available to men and women to seek justice for GBV in patriarchal settings such as the
Pakistan and Pakistani families living in Norway?
The below research questions will be used to understand both Pakistani case and the case of Pakistani
immigrants in Norway:
1. What are the gaps and challenges faced by the victims in accessing these services related to GBV?
2. What are the loopholes and how can they be addressed?
3. How are cultural and religious aspects related to honour, privacy and patriarchy addressed in these
initiatives by police to address GBV?
4. Why and how do men and women make the choice in opting for a particular legal system
(formal/informal)?
5. How do men and women negotiate around these systems?
6. What are the mechanisms developed in families/societies to dodge formal legal order established to ensure
women safety?
In the proposal , I identified that I would do 3 months secondment in CEPOL, however, the plan changed during the post doc because the contact person from CEPOL retired and we lost the contact with the organization. However, during two years, we tried finding interesting institution but it couldnt materialize. Therefore, instead, I attended courses at Norwegian police college organized by UNPOC.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the two years of the post doc I have learnt and achieved many personal and professional Milestones and Goals.
At the outset of the MSCA project, I was introduced to the complexities of research ethics, particularly in relation to sensitive topics such as gender-based violence (GBV). While I had prior experience working on sensitive issues and applying ethical research practices in challenging environments, this project marked the first time I was directly involved in designing ethical assessments and procedural frameworks. This responsibility prompted an extensive review of academic literature and internal ethical guidelines, and highlighted the absence of formal ethical and security protocols in Pakistan one of the case countries under study.
Engaging with a context marked by significant challenges and limited institutional safeguards deepened my understanding of the ethical dilemmas inherent in social research. This experience broadened my perspective and encouraged critical reflection on the invisibility of ethical infrastructure in certain settings. To further strengthen my knowledge, I participated in research ethics workshops and lectures, which provided valuable insights and opportunities to share my experiences with peers.
The project also expanded my fieldwork experience beyond South Asia. Prior to this fellowship, my research was primarily based in rural Pakistan. During the MSCA project, however, I conducted fieldwork in Oslo, Norway an urban European capital. This transition required me to adapt my methodologies creatively to suit the sociocultural dynamics of the Pakistani diaspora in a European context. It significantly enhanced my capacity to conduct research in diverse settings. One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the autonomy I had in designing the research framework. I was responsible for selecting the study area, determining the sample size, and choosing appropriate methodologies. This level of independence not only enriched the quality of my research but also boosted my confidence as an academic and field researcher

Apart from delivering lectures in class rooms and participating in relevant courses and workshops, I wrote 4 scientific papers.
Below is the list of submitted articles and the main high lights.
1.VAW-25-05-0009 :Gender-Based Violence in the Pakistani Diaspora in Norway: Perspectives, Challenges, and Access to Services
Highlights:
Approximately 46,300 people of Pakistani origin live in Norway, primarily from rural Punjab.
Traditional family structures with rigid gender roles continue to dominate. and GBV remains institutionalized within the community.
GBV persists even among second-generation individuals due to spouse selection constraints and transnational marriages.
Norwegian services face barriers like generalized approaches and lack of cultural context.
Advocates for a holistic, community-centered strategy to effectively combat GBV.

2.VAW-25-03-0014 From Tradition to Transition: Generational Differences in Masculinity and Gender-Based Violence Among Norwegian Pakistanis
Highlights:
The study looks at how views on masculinity and gender roles differ between first- and second-generation Pakistani men in Norway.
First-generation men tend to follow traditional norms, while second-generation men are more open to questioning patriarchal expectations.
Younger participants show greater understanding of gender-based violence, including less visible forms like psychological and financial abuse.
Second-generation individuals generally have stronger Norwegian language skills, but there's a noticeable gap in education levels between males and females.

3. PJX-25-0061 Woman Police Officers in Post 2017 KP Police Reforms: Analyzing the Gender Specific Challenges in Abbottabad District in Northwestern Pakistan
Highlights:
In 2017, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa introduced police reforms to improve women's representation and roles in the force. And addressed major issues like underrepresentation and introduced better training for female officers.
Female officers were trained to handle sensitive cases involving women and children.
Despite reforms, few women have joined the police force.
Reforms have helped with recruitment and some retention of women in policing.
Gender and power dynamics still limit women’s freedom to choose policing as a career.

4.254235717 Gendered Voices at the Crossroads: Gender based Violence and Legal Hybridity in Northern Pakistan
Highlights:
Gender-based violence in Pakistan is tackled by both formal institutions (like police and courts) and informal ones (such as the traditional Jirga system).
The government has introduced gender-sensitive initiatives like women’s help desks and District Resolution Councils.
Many women lack trust in both formal and informal systems, often viewing GBV as a private issue.
Communities tend to resolve GBV cases through informal means rather than legal channels.
The study urges stronger political will, grassroots activism, and a rethinking of women’s roles to address deep-rooted gender norms.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has significantly advanced the state of the art in understanding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through a transdisciplinary and participatory research approach applied across two distinct socio-cultural contexts: rural Pakistan and urban Norway. The major outcomes include the submission of four research articles and the completion of extensive fieldwork in both countries, contributing to a nuanced and comparative understanding of GBV within Pakistani communities at home and abroad.
A key innovation of the project was the development and implementation of a context-sensitive methodology tailored to the complexities of each setting. This methodology integrated ethical sampling techniques and participatory research principles, enabling knowledge co-production through active engagement with both academic and non-academic actors. Collaboration with NGOs, in-depth interviews, and participation in community-organized events ensured that diverse voices were included, particularly those of marginalized populations.
The project conceptualized communities as heterogeneous entities characterized by competing interests, asymmetrical power relations, and varied experiences shaped by ethnicity, gender, wealth, and social status. This framing allowed for a deeper exploration of how GBV is experienced differently across economic classes and how access to justice whether through formal or informal mechanisms is influenced by one's position within these hierarchies. The inclusion of diverse perspectives was central to the project's commitment to co-produced knowledge and ethical research practice.
To enhance the societal impact of the research, the project engaged in multiple dissemination and capacity-building activities. A master's student working under the project published op-eds in Urdu in Pakistani newspapers, translating academic insights into public discourse. In addition, I also became an active member of the Centre for Community-Oriented Policing and Post-Conflict Reform’s network, contributing to the development of training curricula for senior police advisors on international missions. These curricula focus on community-oriented policing, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills.
Further, I participated in a two-week International Police Officer Course (IPOC) and a one-week specialized training on Community-Oriented Policing in Conflict Areas in Stavern, Norway. This marked the first inclusion of a researcher in the program, alongside 20 officers from Norway, Iceland, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. The training fostered critical dialogue on the need for research-informed policing strategies. As a result, I and Professor Ingrid Nyborg were invited to present their findings at the Norwegian Police Academy on International Police Day, underscoring the project's contribution to bridging research and practice in policing and GBV prevention.

In addition, I have been an active part of writing grants for funding agencies like NFR and EU. Being an active part of these reserach applications reflect that I am ehancing my abilities as a researcher and also further stretching my work in multiple dimensions related to my expertise.

This is the document proof of article 4 in The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles

This is the document proof of submission of Article 1 and 2 in Journal of Violence against women

This is the document Proof of article 3 in Journal Development in Practice