Women activists' strategic use of the courts in Pakistan

The women's movement in Pakistan strategically used the courts to fight for rights-based empowerment over the last 40 years. Its demand to hold the state and judiciary accountable for delivering on its constitutional promise of fundamental rights has led to landmark public interest litigation jurisprudence. This paper presents for the first time the movement's full history of litigation in its key areas of concern: sexual and reproductive rights, protection from discriminatory laws and informal justice mechanisms, socio-economic and environmental rights and political rights. Achievements include positive verdicts, sensitizing judges, progressive legislation and increased public awareness.