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Gender discrimination in Pakistan

* It is widely believed that gender equality is pre-requisite for building inclusive, progressive,
peaceful and pluralistic societies
Assad Ali Lund (More Articles by Assad Ali Lund)
JANUARY 14, 2019

Gender discrimination refers to unfair treatment or

inequitable difference between distinct groups of people
in society in terms of rights, opportunities and status. It
goes without saying that gender discrimination is a
widespread human rights issue in Pakistan that is badly
affecting huge proportion of women in the country.

Women make up nearly half of total population (48.8

percent) which clearly means that they are the real asset
and strength of the country. Undoubtedly, Pakistan’s
sustainable socio-economic, political and cultural
development wholly lies in the equality, empowerment,
participation and representation of women in all walks
of life. Despite that the status of women is below par.
More often than not, women encounter
multidimensional problems such as honour killing, acid
throwing, harassment, sexual assaults, domestic
violence and so on. In addition, they witness greater
inequality in access to health and education. Equal
economic opportunities, political inclusion and decision-
making participation are merely a day dream for large
chunk of women in Pakistan.

“
„

Men are the masters of women’s

destiny in a country where they have
been denied all decision-making
powers — cultural norms and a
patriarchal mind-set are the primary
factors derailing women from
progressing in our society

It is widely believed that gender equality is pre-requisite

for building inclusive, progressive, peaceful and
pluralistic societies. Gender parity at educational,
economic, political and representative fronts makes
prosperity and change inevitable. Regrettably, the
gender gap in Pakistan is alarmingly wider. According to
Global Gender Gap Index Report 2018 released by World
Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistan has been placed 148
out of 149 countries -the second worst country regarding
gender equality in the world.

There is no denying that the status of women in health,

education and participation especially in labour market
and politics is also unsatisfactory. Reportedly, only 25
percent women are involved in the workforce, far less
than the world average (48.7).

When it comes to financial autonomy, according to

World Bank Global Index Report 2017, only 7 percent of
women in the country have financial services account.

Gender inequality is a deep-rooted menace in Pakistan

that is potentially hampering its socio-economic
advancement and progress. Men are the masters of
women’s destiny in the country where women are
denied all decision-making powers. Cultural norms and
a patriarchal mind-set are the primary factors that are
derailing women from coming out of four walls to play
their part. That’s why women are always behind bars
and unable to stand shoulder by shoulder with men.
Women who live in poor households – battle grave
economic obstacles ranging from poor infrastructure to
inadequate transportation facilities, financial
constraints to inadequate nutrition and extreme water
shortages to poor sanitation.

It is evident that with the exclusion of almost 100 million

women, Pakistan cannot reach the pinnacle of progress,
peace and stability. Muhammad Ali Jinnah famously
said, “No Nation can rise to the heights of glory unless
her women stand side by side with men.” Therefore,
 there is dire need to ensure that half of Pakistan’s has
equal opportunities in political leadership, economic
decision-making and managerial representation.
Government must chalk out effective strategies to bridge
the widening gender gap and inequalities through
social, economic, educational and democratic
participation and partnership of women.

Furthermore, women financial empowerment is also

crucial for closing the gender gap. Equitable financial
access will not only foster women’s bargaining power
within the household but will also help improve their
health, education, nutrition and food security status. In
addition, state should strive to eliminate all forms of
discrimination and violence against women. Most
importantly, the government should work round the
clock to empower women through education so that
they can be active economic actors in the realm of socio-
political development of Pakistan.

The writer is a freelance columnist and an undergraduate

student of Economics at University of Sindh, Jamshoro

Published in Daily Times, January 14th 2019.

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