Pakistan's constitution guarantees women equal rights and empowers the government to take action to protect those rights.

The controversial Hudood Ordinances were introduced in 1979 when General Zia modified the country's legal system in accordance with Islamic scriptures. It stripped women of the legal protection and rights previously available to them.

Rape laws were dramatically changed. It was included in the Zina Ordinance (a sub category of the Hudood Ordinance) and blurred the line between rape and adultery. It strengthened the possibility of a woman’s conviction of adultery if rape cannot be proved.

The Federal Sharia Court was established in 1980 and women were subject to unequal rights on inheritance, termination of marriage, minimum age of marriage, and natural guardianship of children.
 
The Qanun-e-Shahadat, introduced in 1984, reduced the value of a single woman's testimony to half that of a man.

The Qias and the Diyat Ordinance, promulgated in 1990, lets off men who perpetuate violence against women. It was passed as an Act without parliamentary debate or consent.

Pakistan ratified CEDAW in 1996.

In 2000, General Pervez Musharraf, announced ‘honour’ killings would be treated as murder.

The Women’s Protection Bill was passed in December 2006 to rewrite the controversial rape laws. Women’s groups have labeled it ‘inadequate’.

The federal government is legislating on domestic violence against women and children.