Domestic worker dies in Pakistan following alleged sexual abuse and forced abortion

An 18-year-old domestic worker named Ayesha died in a Lahore hospital in May due to complications from an illegal abortion. Before her death, she provided a statement to police alleging she had been subjected to repeated gang rapes by her employer's son and the family driver over the course of a year. According to court documents, Ayesha discovered she was pregnant in November, allegedly as a result of the abuse. She claimed that her employers, seeking to protect their reputation, pressured her into terminating the pregnancy. She reported being forced to take abortion pills after the pregnancy was confirmed, leading to severe health complications. Pakistani authorities have launched an investigation into the employer and the two men involved, focusing on charges of gang rape and homicide. The investigation also encompasses the role of the private clinic where the procedure was performed. The case has sparked significant public outcry in Pakistan, renewing national debate regarding sexual violence and the protection of vulnerable workers.