Press Release on International Women’s Day
minority concern
Greetings from Minority Concern!
Hope this message finds you well.
Kindly find the attached and below, Press Release on regarding “International Women’s Day, highlighting Minority Concern’s concern over the plight of minority women in Pakistan.”
Minority Concern is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for the rights, dignity, and protection of religious minorities, with particular focus on Pakistan.
Please feel free for any further question or clarification etc.
Thanks for your consideration.
Best regards,
Aftab Alexander Mughal
Director, Minority Concern (UK)
Blackburn, UK
MOBILE: +44 7568085184
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Minority Concern (UK)
Press Release
On International Women’s Day, Minority Concern Raises Alarm Over the Plight of Minority Women in Pakistan
6 March 2026, Blackburn, United Kingdom: On the occasion of International Women’s Day (8 March), Minority Concern (UK) expresses deep concern over the continued vulnerability of women belonging to religious minority communities, including Christians and Hindus, in Pakistan. While the world celebrates the achievements and resilience of women, thousands of minority women and girls in Pakistan continue to face systemic discrimination, forced conversions, abductions, and the denial of basic human rights.
Women from Christian and Hindu communities remain among the most marginalized groups in the country. Human rights organizations have repeatedly documented cases in which underage girls from minority families are allegedly abducted, forcibly converted, and married against their will. Legal protections remain weak, and families often struggle to obtain justice through the courts.
“International Women’s Day should be a moment of reflection and action,” Aftab Alexander Mughal, Director, Minority Concern stated. “For minority women in Pakistan, however, it is often a reminder that their voices remain unheard and their safety uncertain. The local civil society and the international community must recognize the intersection of gender and religious discrimination that these women face daily. Their dignity, safety, and equality must be protected.”
In addition to forced conversions, minority women frequently encounter barriers to education, employment, and political representation. Societal discrimination and economic vulnerability further expose them to exploitation and abuse. Domestic workers from minority backgrounds are particularly at risk of harassment and violence, often with limited legal recourse.
Minority Concern calls upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate and concrete steps to safeguard minority women and girls by:
· Enacting and enforcing effective legislation against forced conversion.
· Ensuring impartial investigations and prosecution in cases involving abduction, coercion, and violence against minority women.
· Strengthening protections for minority communities through police reform and judicial accountability.
· Promoting equal access to education, employment, and social services for women of all religious backgrounds.
The organization also urges international governments and human rights bodies to engage constructively with Pakistan to encourage reforms that protect vulnerable communities and uphold international human rights standards.
About Minority Concern
Minority Concern is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for
the rights, dignity, and protection of religious minorities, with particular
focus on Pakistan.