Women in workforce

Pakistan has little female participation in its labour force – hardly 32%. Even out of this small figure, 73% of the women work in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. Only a minuscule proportion of educated women is in the workforce. Dr Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, has emphasised the need for increasing the inclusion of women in the country’s labour force as a means to empower them. Her pronouncement takes on special significance in the backdrop of the existing situation. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government is, however, taking steps towards increasing women’s participation in economic life.

Speaking at the 10th International Women Leaders’ Summit recently in Islamabad, Dr Nishtar said Pakistani women were playing a vital role in different sectors and stressed that “no country can dream of progressing if half of its population stays at home, not engaging in any productive endeavours.” Mentioning the government’s flagship poverty alleviation Ehsaas Kifalat Programme, she said the government was making meaningful efforts to ensure active participation of women in economic activities, and was striving to ensure better health facilities to women. She rightly observed that working women brought benefits for entire families.

In view of the increasing attacks on girls and women by sexual predators, the need of unity among females becomes all the more necessary. If women take unified action against predators, this would considerably deter aggression against them. Now unified action by women and girls has become more important than ever before. It will spur the government to enact laws aimed at curbing violence against them and children. They can pressure all provincial governments to give approval to the Zainab Alert Bill. Now the law can be implemented within the Islamabad Capital Territory only. At the summit, women achievers Commodore Gulnaz Ahmed, Brigadier Nadia Hayat and Squadron Leader Ambreen Gul shared their struggles and challenging experiences with the audience to inspire them to set higher goals in life. Here, we should not forget the sacrifices made by female and male polio workers. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2020.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.