WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND PATHWAYS TO INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Background: Despite national and global initiatives to promote gender equality, women in Pakistan remain disproportionately underrepresented in political, economic, and decision-making spaces. Structural inequality, patriarchal norms, and limited institutional support continue to obstruct their empowerment. Although constitutional and legislative frameworks exist, the effectiveness of these mechanisms remains insufficient in bridging the gender gap, especially in conservative and rural contexts. There is an urgent need to explore context-specific challenges and identify pathways for sustainable and inclusive empowerment of women in Pakistan.

Objective: To investigate the multidimensional challenges, enabling opportunities, and strategic pathways for women’s empowerment in Pakistan, with a focus on governance, political participation, and economic inclusion.

Methods: A qualitative research design utilizing thematic analysis was adopted. Data sources included peer-reviewed literature, national and international policy documents, civil society reports, and institutional publications from 2010 to 2025. A total of 82 documents were reviewed and systematically coded. Recurring themes were identified through a multi-step process involving initial coding, thematic clustering, and interpretative synthesis using feminist and governance frameworks. The analysis prioritized cultural, institutional, and economic determinants influencing women’s political and social participation.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed that female labor force participation remains at 24.3%, while male participation is 80.3%. Women earn 25–30% less than men in wage employment. Despite the allocation of 60 National Assembly and 128 provincial reserved seats, only 20% of legislators are women, mostly via party nominations. Campaign funding and elite family networks dominate women’s political entry. Conversely, initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Program, financial inclusion policies, and media advocacy offer pathways for transformative change.

Conclusion: The study concludes that cultural and economic barriers continue to constrain meaningful political empowerment for women in Pakistan. Institutional reform, inclusive education, financial autonomy, and civil society mobilization are essential to ensure genuine gender equity and sustainable development.