For decades, Pakistan has been engaged in a national and global discourse on gender equality. From government policies to international commitments, the country has made repeated promises to uplift women and ensure equal rights in all spheres of life. On paper, Pakistan has enacted numerous laws to protect women’s rights, encourage female education, and promote workplace inclusion. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Women in Pakistan continue to face systemic discrimination, economic exclusion, political underrepresentation, and alarming rates of gender-based violence. While progress has been made in certain areas, the notion that Pakistan has achieved, or is even close to achieving, gender equality remains a myth. The harsh reality is that despite legal frameworks and awareness campaigns, deep-rooted cultural norms, weak enforcement of laws, and institutional barriers continue to prevent women from attaining true equality in Pakistan.
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The Gender Wage Gap and Economic Exclusion
One of the strongest indicators that gender equality remains a myth in Pakistan is the continued economic marginalization of women. Women make up nearly half of the country’s population, yet their participation in the labor force is among the lowest in the world. According to the World Bank, only around twenty one percent of Pakistani women are part of the workforce, compared to seventy eight percent of men. The gender wage gap is also staggering, women earn significantly less than men for performing the same work, and many are confined to low-paying, informal jobs with little to no legal protection. The concept of equal pay for equal work remains largely unimplemented.
Moreover, financial independence for women remains a distant dream. Inheritance laws, while seemingly fair on paper under Islamic principles, are often manipulated or ignored. Women are frequently denied their rightful share of property, either through legal loopholes or sheer societal pressure. Many families discourage women from claiming their inheritance, further reinforcing economic dependence on male family members. Without economic security, women are left vulnerable to financial exploitation and domestic abuse, making true gender equality in Pakistan an illusion rather than a reality.
Barriers in Education: A Persistent Divide
Education is often cited as an area of progress for gender equality in Pakistan, yet the numbers tell a different story. While more girls are enrolling in primary schools than before, their chances of completing higher education remain alarmingly low. The literacy rate for women in Pakistan is only fifty one percent , compared to seventy three percent for men. Rural areas paint an even gloomy picture, where girls are often forced to drop out due to financial constraints, early marriages, or societal expectations that prioritize male education.
The situation is particularly dire in conservative provinces such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where many families still believe that educating girls is unnecessary or even harmful to cultural values. The infamous attack on Malala Yousafzai in 2012 was a bleak reminder of how resistance to female education still exists in Pakistan. Schools for girls continue to be targeted by extremist groups, further discouraging families from sending their daughters to study. The fact that a girl’s right to education remains a point of debate in many parts of the country proves that gender equality in Pakistan is far from being realized.
Political Underrepresentation: Women Without a Voice
Political representation is another area where Pakistan struggles to prove that gender equality is more than just a slogan. While Pakistan was the first Muslim-majority country to elect a female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, this milestone remains an exception rather than the norm. Women hold only twenty percent of seats in the National Assembly, and even fewer in key decision-making positions. Most female politicians in Pakistan enter the system through reserved seats rather than direct elections, limiting their influence in shaping policies.
Even when women do participate in politics, they face immense challenges, including harassment, character assassination, and cultural resistance. Many are reduced to symbolic figures rather than being taken seriously as policymakers. Political parties, dominated by patriarchal structures, often use women for optics rather than giving them actual decision-making power. The underrepresentation of women in politics is not just a reflection of systemic discrimination; it is a clear indication that gender equality in Pakistan remains an illusion.
Gender-Based Violence: A Never-Ending Crisis
Perhaps the most damning evidence that gender equality is a myth in Pakistan is the alarming rate of gender-based violence. Domestic violence, honor killings, acid attacks, and sexual harassment remain widespread, with little accountability for perpetrators. According to Human Rights Watch, nearly thirty percent of Pakistani women have experienced some form of domestic abuse, while many cases go unreported due to social stigma and weak legal enforcement.
Honor killings, where family members murder women for allegedly bringing shame to their household, continue to plague Pakistani society. Despite the passage of laws such as the Anti-Honor Killing Bill (2016), loopholes in the justice system allow perpetrators to escape punishment by securing forgiveness from family members. Similarly, rape and sexual assault cases are frequently dismissed, with victims often blamed for their own suffering. The lack of strong institutional support for survivors only reinforces the idea that women in Pakistan are still treated as second-class citizens.
Legal Protections: Laws Without Implementation
Pakistan has introduced multiple laws aimed at protecting women’s rights, but these laws remain ineffective due to poor implementation. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, the Women’s Protection Bill, and the Harassment of Women at Workplace Act exist in legal books but fail to provide real protection due to corrupt law enforcement, lack of awareness, and deep-rooted societal biases. Victims of abuse often find themselves trapped in legal battles where justice is slow, expensive, and often unattainable.
One of the key reasons these laws fail is the reluctance of law enforcement agencies to take women’s issues seriously. Police officers frequently refuse to register cases of domestic violence, honor killings, or harassment, instead pressuring victims to "settle" matters privately. The judicial system, riddled with inefficiency and bias, further discourages women from seeking justice. Unless legal protections are enforced with full commitment, the notion of gender equality in Pakistan will remain a hollow claim.
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The Harsh Reality: A Long Way to Go
Despite these grim realities, some voices argue Pakistan is making progress toward gender equality. Initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the Punjab Women Protection Authority have aimed to uplift women financially and socially. The rise of women entrepreneurs, activists, and professionals signals a shift in societal attitudes. However, these advancements are not enough to declare gender equality a reality. The progress is limited to urban centers, while millions of women in rural areas remain trapped in cycles of oppression. The few success stories cannot overshadow the broader reality of systemic discrimination, violence, and inequality that define the lives of most Pakistani women.
Conclusion: A Myth That Needs to Be Challenged
Gender equality in Pakistan is not just a distant goal, it is a myth that continues to be perpetuated by symbolic reforms, ineffective laws, and cultural resistance. Women in Pakistan still struggle for economic independence, access to education, political participation, and protection from violence. While progress has been made in some areas, it is largely superficial and fails to address the deep-rooted structures that continue to oppress women. Until the country commits to meaningful reforms, enforces existing laws, and challenges the societal norms that hold women back, gender equality will remain an illusion rather than a reality. The fight for women's rights in Pakistan is far from over, it is a battle that must be fought on legal, social, and cultural fronts if true equality is ever to be achieved.
