Pakistani women: Overlooked and undervalued

WEB DESK: Despite facing immense economic, social and cultural challenges, Pakistani women have steadfastly refused to surrender.

They work tirelessly not only to build dignified lives for themselves but also to uplift their families and communities. In the face of adversity, many have fought for their rights and justice, rising to extraordinary heights.

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Figures such as Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, rape survivor Mukhtaran Mai and Pakistan’s first female Prime Minster Benzair Bhutto have become global icons of resilience and courage.

National data often underreports the contributions of Pakistani women, while society largely overlooks their role in nation-building. Employers frequently exploit them by restricting career growth and paying them less than their male counterparts.

As one analyst remarked, “Mothers are the first ones to rise and the last to rest, balancing home, family and work every day. Working women juggle multiple responsibilities, giving their best to prove their worth.

“How can a segment that works more be seen as contributing less? While better  skills may enhance productivity and income, the tools and metrics used to measure their contribution to national income need reassessment, because right now, they seem fundamentally flawed”.

Compared to peer nations in the region and developed countries, Pakistani women are noticeably less visible in public spaces. Understanding the reasons behind this requires deep insight; however, their presence is rapidly expanding beyond the confines of home across various sectors, including offices, educational and health institutions, marketing and sales, banking, media, grooming, parliament, courts and nearly every field of life.

Numerous indices and reports from reputable development institutions, as well as national and international platforms, highlight Pakistan’s gender gaps. Around this time each year, symposiums, seminars, workshops, meetings and marches shed light on the gender-based biases and mistreatment. Economists, intellectuals and businesses advocate for greater, more meaningful female participation in the workforce, emphasising its potential to unlock economic progress and harness untapped talent.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024 ranked Pakistan 145th out of 156 nations assessed in terms of gender parity. The report highlights that only 36 per cent of women participate in economic activities, with just 23 per cent in the labour force.

Women also face significant income disparities, earning 18 per cent less than men for the same work–meaning that for every Rs100 a man earns, a woman receives only Rs82.

A recent World Bank report reveals that Pakistan’s gender wage gap is most pronounced in the agriculture sector, where 68 per cent of employed women work. Shockingly, three-quarters (76 per cent) of them receive no compensation for their labour.

According to the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) 2024 estimates, Pakistan’s female labour force participation stands at a mere 24.5 per cent, meaning only one in four working-age women are employed. In contrast, the labour participation rate for men is significantly higher at 83 per cent.

Despite successive government’s lofty proclamations and claims of focused efforts to end gender discrimination and violence, Pakistan remains far from achieving true equality. The women’s rights movement has secured a more favourable legal framework, but enforcement remains inconsistent at best.

While the government has failed to create an environment where girls and women can fully realise their potential, the private sector’s role in fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities also falls far short.

Leading companies eagerly showcase pro-women initiatives in glossy reports, yet few conduct gender audits. While the law mandates facilities such as workplace creches for working mothers, implementation remains scare. Most organisations lack policies to support mothers, forcing many, especially young mothers, to quit or take career breaks due to an unsupportive work environment, ultimately hindering their career growth.

Many companies quietly prefer hiring unmarried women, often sidelining those who choose to marry—an issue rarely considered in male hiring practices. Additionally, while many firms in the formal sector provide medical coverage for the spouses of male employees, female workers are often excluded. Even in companies with better compliance, women must prove their partner’s dependency to secure spousal medical benefits, a requirement not imposed on male employees.

Most companies and businesses have one or two women on their boards, often granted seat not on merit but due to familial ties. This serves a dual purpose of improving their image and titling voting power in favour of key proprietors. Some exploit gender disparity as a business opportunity, using the issue to advance their private interests and profiles.

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“It’s unfortunate that many in the country profit from selling sob stories and the miseries of powerless women to international bodies that allocate funds for women’s empowerment”, remarked an observer.

“Pakistani women must focus on enhancing their qualifications and marketable skills to improve their job prospects”, advised a former secretary of a national women’s organisation privately. “There is a significant potential for greater female participation in the service sector, which accounts for 38 per cent of employment and offers better financial returns. However, higher-paid roles remain largely dominated by men”.