Gender Justice

Gender justice in Pakistan is a pressing issue, with significant gaps between legal frameworks and their practical implementation. While the country has made some strides in advancing gender equality through constitutional provisions, legislative reforms, and international commitments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), deeply rooted cultural norms, patriarchal practices, and socio-economic inequalities continue to impede true gender justice. Women and girls in Pakistan face a range of challenges, including violence, discrimination, limited access to education and healthcare, and underrepresentation in political and leadership roles.

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains widespread, with incidents of domestic violence, honor killings, acid attacks, and sexual assault affecting women across all regions, particularly in rural areas. Despite the enactment of laws like the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act and the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, enforcement remains weak, and victims often lack access to legal support due to fear, societal pressure, and insufficient resources. Honor killings, forced marriages, and the use of harmful practices such as “watta satta” (exchange marriages) continue to thrive in some communities, often under the guise of tradition.

Access to education for girls is also hindered by cultural practices, poverty, and security concerns, particularly in rural areas and conflict zones like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and FATA. Gender disparities in education are still stark, with many girls unable to attend school beyond primary level due to early marriage, financial constraints, or the lack of safe educational facilities. While the government has taken steps to improve girls’ education, the impact has been limited by entrenched societal attitudes that prioritize male education over female education.

Economic empowerment of women remains a critical issue, with women having limited access to formal employment, land ownership, and financial resources. The gender wage gap persists, and women’s participation in the workforce is still low, particularly in rural areas. The lack of legal protection, discrimination in the workplace, and societal expectations that women should prioritize domestic roles contribute to this disparity. Women’s access to economic opportunities is further constrained by mobility restrictions, particularly in conservative regions.

Politically, women’s representation has improved due to the introduction of reserved seats in parliament and local councils. However, female legislators often face resistance, and their influence is often limited by political party structures and patriarchal political systems. The political voice of women is further constrained by threats, violence, and harassment, particularly during elections.

Transgender persons in Pakistan, while legally recognized through the 2018 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, still face severe social stigma, violence, and exclusion from mainstream society. Though the law provides them with the right to self-identify, implementation is patchy, and transgender individuals often face discrimination in healthcare, education, employment, and politics.

Legal and institutional support for gender justice remains insufficient. While institutions like the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and the Ministry of Human Rights have worked to address gender discrimination and violence, their capacity to drive systemic change is limited by insufficient resources, political interference, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Moreover, many women continue to rely on informal justice systems, such as jirgas and panchayats, which often fail to uphold women’s rights and can perpetuate gender-based violence.

In conclusion, while Pakistan has made some progress toward gender justice, much work remains to be done to address the persistent barriers to equality. To achieve true gender justice, there is a need for comprehensive legal reforms, stronger enforcement of existing laws, shifts in societal attitudes, and better support for women’s economic, educational, and political empowerment. Only through systemic change that prioritizes gender equality and women’s rights can Pakistan create a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.