The status of women in Pakistan is not homogenous because of the interconnection of gender with other forms of exclusion in the society. There is considerable diversity in the status of women across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socio-economic development and the impact of tribal, feudal, and capitalist social formations on women’s lives. However, women’s situation vis-à-vis men are of systemic subordination, determined by the forces of patriarchy across classes and regions.
Gender Based Violence is a universal reality of all societies regardless of income, class and culture and affects both the physical and emotional integrity of women and has devastating consequences not only for victims but for society. Pakistan is one of such countries where domestic violence is common because of patriarchal feudal and tribal system. Also, there are cultural institutions, beliefs and practices that undermine women’s autonomy and contribute to gender-based violence. Women have been constantly complaining of having being isolated from mainstream society and feel disillusioned on being maltreated by the male-oriented set up. They strongly claim that if they are given a chance, they can contribute more positively towards the development of all social aspects. However Pakistani society usually adopts a hostile attitude towards the women. Not only are women deprived of the rights of equality in all walks of life, but also are victims of violence in the form of social, political or economic aspects. Moreover, their rights are been denied in both public and private spheres. The radical footstep of the country provides a sense of being oblivious of the different legislation which deals with the security and protection of women rights and to guard the female population.
Lack of access to education for girls is part of a broader landscape of gender inequality in Pakistan. The country has one of Asia’s highest rates of maternal mortality. Violence against women and girls—including rape, so-called “honour” killings and violence, acid attacks, domestic violence, forced marriage and child marriage—is a serious problem, and government responses are inadequate. Pakistani activists estimate that there are about 1,000 honour killings every year. Twenty-one percent of females marry as children. The numbers of out-of-school girl children is very high, and significant gender disparities exist in education, across the country. Some areas are much worse than others. In Balochistan, the province with the lowest percentage of educated women, as of 2014-15, 81 percent of women had not completed primary school, compared to 52 percent of men. Seventy-five percent of women had never attended school at all, compared to 40 percent of men.
The Imran Khan government, elected in July 2018, stated in its manifesto that nearly 22.5 million children are out of school. Girls are particularly affected. Thirty-two percent of primary school age girls are out of school in Pakistan, compared to 21 percent of boys. By grade six, 59 percent of girls are out of school, versus 49 percent of boys. Only 13 percent of girls are still in school by ninth grade. Both boys and girls are missing out on education, but girls are the worst affected. Political instability, disproportionate influence on governance by security forces, repression of civil society and the media, violent insurgency, and escalating ethnic and religious tensions all poison Pakistan’s current social landscape. These forces distract the government’s obligation to deliver essential services like education—and girls lose out the most. The low health status of women is the result of lower social, economic, and cultural standing of Pakistani women.
A significant piece of women-centric legislation in the last half decade was the domestic violence bill that each province was meant to pass. However, amongst four provinces, only the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province failed to pass this crucial bill–at a time when the momentum for women’s rights legislation is already gaining momentum. This raises questions about Pakistan government’s efforts to uplift women’s condition in the country. Thus, the situation of women in Pakistan is lamentable because of non-implementation of pro-women legislations.
Script: Dr. Smita, Strategic Analyst on Af-Pak affairs