One of the key places where women experience prejudice is in education. In Pakistan, the literacy rate for women was only 39.6% as of 2010, whereas it was 67.7% for men. Yet, according to UNICEF's most recent figures, female education among 15 to 24 year olds has significantly increased, rising to 61.5%, a 45% increase. In order to close the gender gap in the educational system and achieve gender equality in education, the government has set goals. The policy also promotes girls to learn fundamental household management skills, which are favoured above formal primary education, particularly in Pakistan's rural areas. The struggle for educational equality in Pakistan is made more challenging by the culture's attitude towards women.The gender disparity in Pakistan's educational system is also influenced by the country's feudal traditions and lack of democracy. There is a long-standing sociocultural presumption that women only have reproductive functions within the boundaries of the house, which gives rise to the idea that educating women is of no value. 7.261 million Pakistani children are not in school at the elementary level, with 58% of them being female, despite the government's declaration that all children between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to education.
Government policy and the rural-urban divide both have a big impact on how well educated women are. In urban places like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, women have the same educational opportunities as men. Yet, the rate of education is significantly lower in rural areas. With the release of a government policy by Imran Khan's PTI, which mandates that 70% of new schools be built for females and plans to expand current schools to accommodate more girls, this has started to alter.
In Pakistan, gender discrimination is pervasive in the workplace as well. Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of female labour force participation in the world, with only 22% of women working, according to a 2018 report by the International Labor Organization. Also, women are more likely to work in low-wage, unstable occupations with few chances for growth. Women in Pakistan earn 20% less than men on average, which is a sizable gender pay gap.
In Pakistan, gender discrimination is pervasive in the workplace as well. Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of female labour force participation in the world, with only 22% of women working, according to a 2018 report by the International Labor Organization. Also, women are more likely to work in low-wage, unstable occupations with few chances for growth. Women in Pakistan earn 20% less than men on average, which is a sizable gender pay gap.
The patriarchal aspect of Pakistani society, which restricts women's access to economic opportunities, is the cause of the imbalance. Women are frequently driven to abandon the employment because they are expected to put their families' needs ahead of their careers. In addition, there are several areas and companies that are dominated by men, and because of gender biases, women frequently are not employed or promoted.
The violence against women on the basis of gender is another serious problem in Pakistan. Human Rights Watch said in 2019 that women in Pakistan experience a variety of forms of abuse, including rape, domestic violence, and honour killings. Because to the enormous obstacles women encounter in reporting such crimes and the court system's frequent reluctance to investigate cases of violence against women, these crimes are frequently committed with impunity.
The Prohibition of Anti-Women Activities Act, which makes forced marriages, acid attacks, and other types of violence against women illegal, is just one of the measures the Pakistani government has taken to combat gender discrimination and violence against women. However, due to cultural views and society's patriarchal nature, it is challenging to modify deeply ingrained beliefs, making it difficult for these laws to be put into effect.
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In conclusion, gender inequality still poses a serious problem in Pakistan, where women encounter several obstacles to safety, work, and education. There is still a long way to go until there is gender equality, even though improvements have been achieved in several areas, such as female education. Gender inequality must be addressed holistically, taking into account cultural attitudes and practises that contribute to it as well as legal and legislative frameworks. It is crucial to keep up the efforts to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for everyone in Pakistan, regardless of gender.
In conclusion, gender inequality still poses a serious problem in Pakistan, where women encounter several obstacles to safety, work, and education. There is still a long way to go until there is gender equality, even though improvements have been achieved in several areas, such as female education. Gender inequality must be addressed holistically, taking into account cultural attitudes and practises that contribute to it as well as legal and legislative frameworks. It is crucial to keep up the efforts to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for everyone in Pakistan, regardless of gender.
