PUBLISHED
March 30, 2025
KARACHI:
In a country where women’s presence was once a rare sight, Pakistan has undergone a transformative shift. The urban landscape, once dominated by men, now proudly showcases women in various professions, from corporate offices to construction sites, and from technology parks to television studios. This paradigm shift is a testament to the tireless efforts of institutions, corporate companies, governments, and individuals who have worked relentlessly to promote gender equality.
The streets of Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, once devoid of female presence, now bustle with women of all ages and backgrounds. They can be seen confidently walking to work, driving cars, and riding motorcycles. This newfound independence is not only empowering women but also contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.
However, despite this progress, there’s still a long way to go. As the world celebrated International Women’s Day 2025, with the theme “Accelerate Action” for gender equality it echoes deeply in Pakistan. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 – roughly five generations from now – to achieve full gender parity.
Pakistan’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report (GGGR) Index 2024 by WEF, is a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead. After improving its rank by three points in 2023 and climbing to 142 out of 146, Pakistan dropped to the second-last place in 2024. This decline underscores the need for sustained efforts to bridge the gender gap.
The statistics are telling. Women make up only 30.4% of the labour force, and their representation in senior leadership positions is a mere 6.1%. The estimated earned income gap between men and women is a staggering 75.1%. These numbers highlight the significant disparities that persist in Pakistan’s society.
As we explore the state of gender equality in Pakistan, it’s essential to acknowledge the complexities and nuances of this issue. The journey toward gender parity is long and arduous, but by examining the current landscape, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Let’s take a closer look at the state of gender equality in Pakistan, exploring the key areas where progress has been made and where significant gaps remain.
State of gender equality in Pakistan
Pakistan’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024 is a stark reminder of the country’s persistent struggle with gender equality. Out of 146 countries, Pakistan ranks 145th, with only 57% of the gender gap closed. This ranking is a composite measure of four key areas: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
In terms of Economic Participation and Opportunity, Pakistan ranks 143rd, with a staggering 36% parity achieved in this area. The labour force participation rate of women is a mere 30.4%, ranking 140th globally. This means that nearly 70% of women in Pakistan are not participating in the labour force, resulting in a significant loss of human capital and economic potential. The estimated earned income gap between men and women is a significant 75.1%, indicating that women earn substantially less than their male counterparts.
Educational Attainment is another area where Pakistan lags behind, ranking 139th. Although there has been some progress in increasing girls’ enrolment in primary and secondary education, the literacy rate remains low, at 67.1%. The dropout rate is also a concern, particularly in rural areas, where girls often face significant barriers to education, including poverty, lack of access to schools, and cultural norms that prioritize boys’ education.
In terms of Health and Survival, Pakistan has closed 95.4% of the gender gap, but still faces significant challenges. The sex ratio at birth is skewed, with 0.944 females per 1 male, indicating a preference for sons. Healthy life expectancy is also among the lowest in the world, ranking 141st. Women in Pakistan face significant health risks, including maternal mortality, which remains high despite some progress in recent years.
Lastly, Political Empowerment remains an area of concern, with Pakistan ranking 112th. Women hold only 19.3% of parliamentary seats and 6.3% of ministerial positions. This underrepresentation of women in politics means that their voices and perspectives are often missing from decision-making processes, perpetuating gender inequalities.
These statistics paint a sobering picture of the state of gender equality in Pakistan. While there have been some gains in certain areas, much work remains to be done to bridge the gender gap and achieve true equality. The country’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024 serves as a reminder of the need for sustained efforts to address the deep-seated inequalities that persist in Pakistani society.
As we explore the specifics of each area, it becomes clear that the challenges facing Pakistan are complex and multifaceted. What are the key challenges that underlie Pakistan’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024?
Key challenges persist
Pakistan’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024 highlights the significant challenges the country faces in achieving gender equality. There are some key statistics and challenges that underlie Pakistan’s ranking in each of the four areas: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
Economic participation and opportunity:
Pakistan has one of the widest economic gender gaps in the world, with only 36% parity achieved in this area. The labour force participation rate of women is a mere 30.4%, ranking 140th globally. This means that nearly 70% of women in Pakistan are not participating in the labour force, resulting in a significant loss of human capital and economic potential.
The estimated earned income gap between men and women is a staggering 75.1%, indicating that women earn substantially less than their male counterparts. Furthermore, women hold only 6.1% of senior roles in Pakistan, highlighting the significant underrepresentation of women in leadership positions.
The challenges facing women in the workforce are multifaceted. Cultural and social restrictions prevent many women from working outside the home, while limited access to capital and workplace discrimination further exacerbates the issue. Female entrepreneurs struggle to secure loans and investments, and women face lower wages and fewer opportunities for promotion.
The impact of these challenges is significant. Pakistan’s GDP could increase by up to 30% if gender equality in economic participation is improved. This highlights the critical need for policies and initiatives that promote workforce inclusion, equal pay, and opportunities for women.
Educational attainment
Despite some progress, gender disparities remain in literacy and enrolment. Pakistan’s literacy rate is 67.1%, one of the lowest globally. While primary school enrolment for girls has improved, with 87.6% of girls enrolled, secondary school enrolment remains a challenge, with 84.3% of girls enrolled.
Tertiary education enrolment for girls is relatively high compared to other South Asian countries, with 92.6% of girls enrolled. However, the dropout rate remains a concern, particularly in rural areas, where girls often face significant barriers to education, including poverty, lack of access to schools, and cultural norms that prioritize boys’ education.
The challenges facing girls’ education are complex. Low female literacy rates, particularly in rural areas, perpetuate the cycle of poverty and inequality. Limited access to higher education and vocational training further restricts girls’ opportunities for economic empowerment.
The impact of improving girls’ education cannot be overstated. It could add millions of skilled workers to the economy, driving growth and development.
Health and survival
Pakistan has closed 95.4% of the gender gap in health, but still faces significant challenges in life expectancy and maternal health. The sex ratio at birth is skewed, with 0.944 females per 1 male, indicating a preference for sons.
Healthy life expectancy is among the lowest in the world, ranking 141st. Maternal mortality remains significantly high, affecting women’s health outcomes. The challenges facing women’s health are multifaceted, including high maternal mortality rates due to lack of healthcare access, gender bias in healthcare, and malnutrition and reproductive health issues persisting among women in rural areas.
Investing in better maternal healthcare and nutrition could improve overall gender parity in health. This highlights the critical need for healthcare reforms that prioritize women’s health and well-being.
Political empowerment:
While Pakistan has a history of female political leadership, women remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making roles. Women hold only 19.3% of parliamentary seats and 6.3% of ministerial positions.
The challenges facing women in politics are significant. Political violence and discrimination prevent many women from participating in politics, while lack of decision-making power and low voter turnout among women further exacerbates the issue.
Increasing women’s participation in politics could lead to better gender-sensitive policies. This highlights the critical need for initiatives that promote women’s political empowerment and leadership.
As we have seen, the challenges facing Pakistan in achieving gender equality are complex and multifaceted. In the next section, we will explore the success stories of organizations and initiatives that are working to address these challenges and promote gender equality in Pakistan.
As we have seen, the challenges facing Pakistan in achieving gender equality are complex and multifaceted. However, despite these challenges, there are many organizations, initiatives, and individuals working tirelessly to promote gender equality and empower women in Pakistan that are leading the way in accelerating action for gender equality in Pakistan.
Organizations leading the way
As Pakistan strives to accelerate action for gender equality, corporate companies are playing a vital role in driving progress. Many organizations, including banks, technology firms, and multinational corporations, are leveraging their resources, expertise, and influence to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. From implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives to utilizing technology to bridge the gender gap, corporate companies are innovating and collaborating to create a more equitable society.
Standard Chartered (SC) Pakistan, for instance, has made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion. With an industry-best diversity ratio of 29.8%, the bank has demonstrated its commitment to creating a workplace culture that values and celebrates diversity.
Yasir Khwaja, Head of HR at Standard Chartered Pakistan, talking about the policies, said, “Our culture of inclusion remains a source of competitive differentiation for us. Our inclusive practices, such as our approach to flexible working, equalized parental leave policies, and inclusive hiring practices have enabled us to successfully maintain our diversity ratio.”
SC Pakistan has also implemented various development interventions to support the growth and development of its female employees. The bank’s SEED Mentoring Program, Core Leadership Program, and IGNITE coaching program are designed to provide female employees with the skills and support they need to advance in their careers. “Feedback from participants of these programmes shows that such development interventions enable colleagues to identify their own focus areas, and guidance from mentors across the SC global network enable them to work on their growth plans for the medium to long term,” added Khwaja.
The Bank’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is not limited to its internal initiatives. SC Pakistan has also launched various external programmes aimed at promoting financial inclusion and opportunity creation for women in the financial ecosystem. “Within the Pakistani financial industry, progress is supported by strong regulatory focus via policies like Banking on Equality, which have prioritized financial inclusion and opportunity creation for women in the financial ecosystem,” shared Khwaja.
In addition, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WiT) programme champions gender representation in technology entrepreneurship by providing training, mentoring, and grant funding to women-led ventures. Launched in Pakistan in 2019, the programme is dedicated to fostering economic and social development through innovation-driven businesses. To date, 145 women-led businesses have graduated, with 33 receiving seed funding to accelerate their growth.
Unlocking women’s economic potential
Karandaaz Pakistan is another organization that is making significant strides in promoting financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment. Through its Women Financial Inclusion Challenge (FIWC), the organisation is supporting innovative financial solutions that cater specifically to women in agriculture and blue-collar sectors.
The fifth round of the FIWC, launched in 2023, focuses on “Empowering Women’s Economic Participation in Agriculture and Labour.” This initiative aims to drive transformative change by empowering women with the tools they need to thrive. Through grant funding and technical support, Karandaaz is seeking to address the financial barriers that women in these sectors face, providing them with access to digital tools, financial literacy, and economic independence.
One of the key areas of focus for the organisation is women in agriculture. Many women farmers, labourers, and entrepreneurs involved in agricultural value chains lack access to accessible digital payment systems, financial literacy, and technology training. It is working to address this gap by providing innovative financial solutions that can help streamline transactions and improve cash flow management.
Another area of focus is blue-collar women workers. Women in labour-intensive industries like construction, manufacturing, and textiles often face significant financial challenges. Karandaaz is working to provide these women with access to digital salary payment solutions, automated savings tools, and financial services that promote stability and independence.
Through its FIWC initiative, the organisation is demonstrating its commitment to promoting financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment. By providing innovative financial solutions and support to women in agriculture and blue-collar sectors, it is helping to drive transformative change and promote economic independence for women in Pakistan.
PTCL Group, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has been working to empower women entrepreneurs across Pakistan through its Ba-Ikhtiar Project. This initiative, part of PTCL Group’s social impact platform ‘Dil Se’, aims to foster financial independence and sustainable growth for women entrepreneurs by building successful e-commerce stores.
The Ba-Ikthiar project aims at empowering women entrepreneurs in the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by equipping them with essential digital and financial skills and tools. The partnership is focused on women’s economic growth, focusing on transforming lives, amplifying women’s voices, and helping them realize their full potential.
One of the key highlights of the project is its expansion to 20 districts across Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in transforming communities and promoting women’s economic empowerment. The project has provided women with critical skills, including digital literacy, financial management, business development, and e-commerce, enabling them to build thriving businesses and transform their lives.
The company also used the artificial intelligence (AI) to empower women entrepreneurs. At a recent event, the company showcased Pakistan’s first-ever AI-powered fashion show, where women entrepreneurs showcased the exact clothing designs, they created in collaboration with AI models.
Talking about this, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, emphasized the program’s broader significance, stating, “The Ba-Ikhtiar Project is more than just a program; it is a movement that empowers women to unlock their potential by providing them with the necessary resources and skills to succeed.”
PTCL Group’s collaboration with PPAF, U Microfinance Bank (U Bank), and Daraz has been instrumental in providing women entrepreneurs with access to financial services, digital platforms, and e-commerce opportunities. The partnership has enabled women to open bank accounts with U Bank, sell their products online through Daraz, and access digital resources and training to grow their businesses. Through this they have enabled the women to take their business from offline to online to give their businesses a boost.
The success stories of women entrepreneurs who have benefited from the project are a proof to the program’s impact. Two participants, who represented Pakistan at Gitex Global 2024 in Dubai, one of the world’s largest tech events, shared their experiences and the transformative impact of the program on their lives.
Mariam Hussain, one of the participants, shared how the Ba-Ikhtiar Project enabled her to showcase her entrepreneurial ventures on a global platform, demonstrating the transformative impact of empowerment and opportunity.
In addition to this, PTCL Group has also collaborated with Pink Collar to host an exclusive career fair for women in Lahore. The event aimed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunities for Pakistani women, providing them with a platform to explore job opportunities, gain insights into career growth, and connect with leading private sector companies.
The career fair featured PTCL Group’s flagship women empowerment initiative, ‘Dil Se Ba-Ikhtiar’, which upskills and equips women entrepreneurs with digital resources to help set up and grow their online businesses. Women entrepreneurs trained under Ba-Ikhtiar showcased their products at the fair, inspiring more women to follow their example and reach their full potential.
Group Chief Commercial Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Syed Atif Raza, emphasized the importance of women’s participation in the workforce, stating, “Empowering women is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for the growth of our economy and society.”
Zara Sika Ali, CEO of Pink Collar, also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate in the workforce. Pink Collar also unveiled Pakistan’s first exclusive online job portal for women, providing access to a wide range of career opportunities.
The portal aims to break down barriers and create a more inclusive job market where women can thrive. Zara said, “Pink Collar is the first-of-its-kind platform in Pakistan that specializes in recruitment, training, and career development for women, including women of determination. We are dedicated to inspiring, equipping, and uplifting women to lead with confidence.”
Lessons learned
The initiatives undertaken by the companies have demonstrated a profound impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality in Pakistan. These organizations have shown that with commitment, innovation, and collaboration, significant progress can be made in promoting gender equality and empowering women.
These initiatives have also highlighted the importance of collective action and collaboration in driving transformative change. The success of these initiatives demonstrates that when organizations, governments, and civil society work together, they can create a more inclusive and equitable society. Furthermore, the use of innovation and technology has been instrumental in addressing systemic barriers and creating new opportunities for women’s empowerment.
The experiences of these organizations also underscore the need for contextual solutions that address specific challenges faced by women in Pakistan. By tailoring their initiatives to the local context, these organizations have been able to create meaningful and sustainable impact. Regular monitoring and evaluation have also been crucial in assessing the effectiveness of these initiatives and identifying areas for improvement.
While the initiatives undertaken by these companies are a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done to achieve the goal of gender parity set by the World Economic Forum (WEF). According to the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report, it will take approximately 136 years to close the gender gap at the current rate of progress. However, with the private sector taking proactive steps to promote gender equality, there is a possibility that this timeline can be accelerated.
Pakistan, in particular, needs to focus on addressing the systemic barriers that prevent women from participating in the workforce. This includes improving access to education, healthcare, and financial services, as well as addressing the social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality. The government, civil society, and the private sector must work together to create a comprehensive strategy that addresses these challenges and promotes gender equality.
Although the initiatives undertaken by the private sector are commendable, there is still much work to be done to achieve the goal of gender parity. With collective action, collaboration, and a comprehensive strategy, Pakistan can accelerate progress on gender equality and empower women to reach their full potential.
