Less than men?

Among the countless barriers to Pakistan's sociopolitical and economic sphere that women of this country face in their daily lives, the gender pay gap in Pakistan's labour market particularly stands out as a glaring indicator of institutional inequality. The recently launched 'Pakistan Gender Pay Gap Report 2024' by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) declares that women in Pakistan, on average, earn 25% less than their male counterparts in hourly wages and 30% less based on monthly wages. This is unfortunately one of the highest income disparities compared to other lower- and middle-income countries.

This irrefutable proof of wage inequality comes armed with rebuttals to common societal scenarios that question women's aptitude and worth. The report highlights that the wage gap persists even when women possess qualifications and experience equivalent to their male counterparts. In fact, women in wage employment are often more likely to hold higher levels of education than men. The stark reality for women — who constitute only 13.5% of Pakistan's workforce - reveals entrenched systemic biases. Not only are women significantly less likely to be selected over male candidates, but those who are hired often receive lower wages than men. On top of this disparity, employed women often have to go home to clock in for what Simone de Beauvoir called a 'second shift' — he household responsibilities that men did not pick up when women started to join the workforce.

Ultimately, not only do they work two 'jobs', but women in Pakistan are significantly underpaid and underappreciated for both. Calls for gender parity will continue to ring hollow without legislative teeth, transparent implementation and a cultural reset. A strategy that involves wage transparency is also largely needed to push for accountability by those responsible. The issue is long overdue.