Seventy percent of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty are women. In urban areas, 40 percent of the poorest households are headed by women. Women are feeding the world as they contribute efficiently in various agricultural activities by taking the burden of major responsibilities, directly or indirectly. Women lead in the world’s food production (50-80 percent), but they own less than 10 percent of the land. Gender disparity and inequity are the main hurdles they face.

Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, is the theme and focus for International Women’s Day, 2022, to address the situation women worldwide find themselves in. It is an effort to recognise the contributions of women and girls worldwide, who are leading the charge on change and working towards sustainable development for all. To visualise a gender-equal world, free of bias and discrimination, all development negotiations at international and local levels need to focus on this agenda. The International Women’s Day marks the celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

The theme for the day is linked to the priority theme for the upcoming 66th Commission on the Status of Women being held from March 14-25 in a hybrid format. All side proceedings and parallel events will be virtualised. The commission will focus on achieving gender equality and economic empowerment of all women and girls in the context of disaster risk reduction policies and programmes.

Today, despite women’s significant contribution to economic and social development, they are disproportionately obstructed by poverty due to cultural norms and barriers that limit their participation in leadership and key decision-making processes.

The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified the poor socio-economic status of women and threatened the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal #5, “achieving gender equality and women empowerment”. Although efforts to promote gender equality are apparent in Pakistan’s Vision 2025, there is still much to be done.

Women’s status in Pakistan varies between classes and regions. It largely depends on the uneven distribution of socio-economic development outcomes. Male-controlled cultural and social norms have greatly impacted women’s status and empowerment. A struggle to get equal rights and equalise socio-economic differences is ongoing. Yet today, the overall literacy rate of women in Pakistan is 45 percent, which is the lowest in the region.

Today, despite women’s significant contributions to economic and social development, they are disproportionately obstructed by poverty due to cultural norms and barriers that limit their participation in leadership and key decision-making processes.

The employment ratio of women stands at 48 percent. Gender equality is central to development. The country ranks second-last in the world for gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Index.

A country’s sustainable economic development is directly related to the human capital that can only be enhanced through education and employment. With millions of children out of school in the country, developing effective human capital remains a far-fetched dream. Pakistan remains the lowest-performing South Asian country by education standard and the second-worst country in the world for gender equality.

In 2017, as per UN reports, 56 percent of male students compared to 44 percent of their female counterparts were attending school. The situation is poorer in rural areas as many schools for girls lack basic facilities, i.e. protective boundary walls, clean water and toilets etc. Families are reluctant to send children to schools located far from their homes and lacking essential facilities.

Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Only 20 percent of women in rural areas of Balochistan can read and write. Only 4 percent of female students reach the degree level.

According to the World Economic Gender Gap Report (2014), Pakistan is 141 out of 142 countries among the worst places for women earnings. This is due to a systematic denial of access to important social amenities that determine the gender gap ranking. Providing equal opportunities, promoting education, training and skills development for women, freedom of movement, equal treatment at the workplace and protection against domestic violence are effective solutions to these issues.

Pakistan has adopted a number of key international commitments and various laws have been passed by the parliament on gender equality and women empowerment. Yet, tangible and visible development in society has not been attained. The society is male-dominant and men continue to hold power in all important institutions of society, local communities and the family setup. Women are most often deprived of access to such autonomy.

It is important to focus on men’s interventions to ensure women enjoy the benefits of these laws. It is high time to understand and accept that we need to involve men in achieving women’s authorisation and empowerment, access to resources, encouraging their status and including them in the family decision making. The men, particularly at the rural level, have control and authority over women’s life and livelihood, rights and privileges. Thus, we need to address men to empower women in these distinctive social and cultural norms prevailing in the country.

The writer is a playwright and freelance journalist. He can be reached at pashajaved1@gmail.com and the blogging site: soulandland.com