Half the nation, all the potential: why we must invest in women

"When a girl goes to school or a mother receives proper healthcare, it is not charity; it is one of the smartest economic investments a society can make."

As the world observed International Women's Day earlier this month, conversations across countries often focussed on women's empowerment, equality, and the progress made toward gender justice. In Pakistan, however, the discussion must confront a more fundamental reality: millions of women and girls still struggle to access basic education and healthcare. Too often, efforts to improve these conditions are framed as welfare initiatives or acts of social compassion. Such a perspective understates their true significance. Investing in women's education and health is not a charitable gesture; it is a strategic investment in the country's human capital. When girls are educated and women are healthy, families become more stable, communities more resilient, and economies more productive.

Pakistan's development trajectory is closely tied to the status of its women. Despite making up nearly half the population, women continue to face serious barriers in accessing education, healthcare and economic opportunities. These barriers not only harm women themselves, they limit the country's collective potential.

The education gap is perhaps the most visible indicator of this challenge. According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, Pakistan's national literacy rate stands at about 60–61 per cent, but the gender divide remains stark. Male literacy is estimated at around 68 per cent, while female literacy lags significantly behind at roughly 52–53 per cent. Such disparities reflect longstanding inequalities in access to education.

The situation becomes even more concerning when looking at school attendance. Pakistan still has over 22 million children out of school, making it one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally. Girls account for a disproportionately large share of these children, particularly in rural and underserved regions. This means millions of girls are denied the opportunity to gain basic education and skills that could enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.

These statistics represent more than just an education gap; they signify a loss of national potential. Every girl who is unable to complete her education is a future teacher, doctor, entrepreneur or innovator whose contribution to the country's development may never materialise.

Education is also closely linked to health outcomes, particularly maternal and child health. Pakistan continues to face significant challenges in this area. Recent estimates place the country's maternal mortality ratio at around 155 deaths per 100,000 live births, highlighting persistent gaps in healthcare access and awareness.

Many of these deaths are preventable. Women with access to education are more likely to seek prenatal care, understand nutrition and hygiene, and ensure safe childbirth practices. Educated mothers are also more likely to prioritise their children's health, vaccinations and schooling. In this way, improving women's education has ripple effects that extend across generations.

Health and education together form the foundation of human capital. When these foundations are weak, societies struggle to achieve sustainable development. Educated mothers are more likely to seek medical care during pregnancy, understand nutrition and hygiene, and ensure their children receive vaccinations and schooling. In other words, when a woman's health and education improve, the benefits extend across generations. In Pakistan, this challenge is compounded by limited investment in human development sectors. Public spending on education, for example, remains among the lowest in the region, amounting to 1.5–2 per cent of GDP in recent fiscal estimates. Such low levels of investment inevitably translate into overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure and limited learning opportunities.

The consequences of these gaps are also visible in Pakistan's labour market. Female participation in the workforce remains among the lowest in the world. In some urban estimates, only around 22 per cent of women participate in the labour force compared to more than 60 per cent of men. A large number of women who do work are engaged in informal or unpaid family labour, particularly in agriculture.

This imbalance represents a major loss for the country's economy. When half of a nation's population is unable to participate fully in productive economic activity, economic growth slows and innovation suffers. Women represent an enormous reservoir of talent, creativity and resilience that remains largely untapped.

Barriers preventing women from accessing education, healthcare and employment are complex and deeply rooted. Social norms, safety concerns, economic constraints and lack of opportunities all play a role. But the consequences of these barriers extend far beyond individual lives; they shape the trajectory of national development.

Countries that invest in women's education and health consistently experience stronger economic growth, improved social indicators, and greater resilience to economic and social shocks. The evidence is clear: when women thrive, societies prosper.

However, Pakistan today stands at a critical juncture in its development journey. Continuing to view women's education and health as welfare initiatives risks perpetuating the very inequalities that hold the country back. Instead, policymakers must recognise these areas as strategic investments in human capital. Educated and healthy women strengthen families, expand the workforce and contribute to economic growth. The question, therefore, is no longer whether Pakistan can afford to invest in women, but whether it can afford the cost of neglecting half of its population.