Pakistan has ranked 148th out of 148 countries in 2025 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index. The rulers must reflect upon it. No doubt, Pakistan has made significant progress in the legislative work regarding women’s rights and gender equality in key areas both at federal and provincial levels, but much is desired to strengthen and implement existing laws to ensure equality of the sexes, strengthen gender institutionalism and increase public resources for gender equality.
Furthermore, it is much more important to vie for gender equity, rather than equality. For example, high level of rural poverty in all parts of the country is a painful reality, but rural poverty in Sindh is significantly higher than in other areas of Pakistan so equity demands she needs more attention.
Keeping in view dismal ranking in GGGI, the present rulers must address gender inequality across economic participation, education, health and political empowerment; and take practical steps to change the fate of women, honour our international obligations and commitments, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve our ranking like Bangladesh and other countries. Above all, federal and provincial level ministries, divisions, departments and other bodies should collect and compile Gender Data for holistic analysis in this digital age.
Tasleem Naz Abro
Islamabad
