Pakistan has the highest gender wage gap in the world. A recent World Bank initiative has produced a report which looks at what the country will look like when it turns 100. According to the report, Pakistan stands last in women’s participation in the private and public sectors. This lack of participation is at the root of many demographic and economic constraints that Pakistan faces. The report has drawn attention towards some aspects by which women’s participation can be increased. These include increased access to education and reproductive healthcare. Only 10 percent women have post-secondary education. And then there is the issue of early-age marriage. In this regard, the government must legislate strongly as well as investing in transforming social behaviours and values.
The report also talks about men’s participation in unpaid care work. Pakistani women are 10 times more involved in household chores, child and elderly care then men in the world. Women also need to feel safe outside their homes, which is why the government needs to ensure effective implementation of laws against sexual harassment. Women-owned businesses are generally found to hire more women. The study says Pakistan has one percent female entrepreneurs only, mostly due to limited access to finance and the market. The state should adopt laws and reforms to improve women’s access to finance. In a nutshell, Pakistan needs its women to enter the workplace without any fear so that our economy can thrive by the time we turn 100.
Aleem Quraishi
Karachi
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