Achieving gender equality

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SOCIAL inclusion is fundamental to attaining economic prosperity and sustainable

development. Progress is unlikely to be achieved unless each individual contributes to
society’s development. This is why gender-inclusive societies are safer and healthier
and ensure increased productivity and economic growth.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals have been designed to achieve prosperity for
all and protect the planet. These goals are interrelated and intersect. The slow progress
of one goal is likely to affect the other aims: for example, poverty (the focus of Goal 1)
induces hunger and malnutrition (the focus of Goal 2). This leads to health issues and
school dropouts (the focus of Goals 3 and 4). Similarly, all SDGs depend upon the
achievement of Goal 5 that promotes gender equality, which is indispensable to social
well-being and national prosperity.

One of the major challenges in achieving gender equality by 2030 in Pakistan is the lack
of focus and investment in gender equality measures that can accelerate progress. Male
dominance in society has led to a perception that women are not capable of making their
own choices and leading their lives independently. Four key areas can act as a catalyst
to reduce inequalities if targeted and if effective initiatives are introduced.

First, Pakistani women’s control over productive assets and financial resources is greatly
limited. They are excluded from the financial system considered central to poverty
alleviation and economic growth. A significant number of women lack formal education,
financial literacy, awareness, and skills to add value to their work or de­­velop tangible and
intangible assets. Commercial banks and non-banking financial institutions can play a
key role in reducing poverty if they are gender-inclusive. Unfortunately, Pakistani
women’s access to financial services is constrained by socioeconomic and financial
structures.

Male dominance in society has led to a perception that women are not capable of
making choices and leading their lives independently.

It is pertinent to note that women constitute more than half the unbanked population in
Pakistan, which deepens gender inequality and limits economic opportunities for them.
Economic participation and control over productive resources enable women to unlock
their skills, improve their family’s well-being, ensure development, and reduce poverty.
Unfortunately, women’s economic participation in Pakistan is one of the lowest in South
Asia. Constraints in accessing resources and services to develop their assets, such as
credit, banking, land, and business, are key obstacles to women’s economic inclusion.

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Second, the prevalent social structure still tends to favour education for boys. Even
though girls’ education can build families, communities, and economies, greater gender
disparities exist in education. Pakistan has the world’s second largest number of out-of-
school children, with distressing facts and figures regarding girls’ enrolment: about two
million more girls are out of school than boys and more girls (about 26 per cent) have
never been to a school than boys (about 17pc). With a significant rural-urban divide,
female literacy rates in less-privileged areas are also reflective of the socioeconomic and
geographical challenges that confront girls’ education.

Educated women can achieve incredible heig­hts, as investment in girls’ education has a
transformative effect on communities. With even a few years of education, women have
improved prospects of economic opportunities, healthier children and a better chance of
ensuring that their own children go to school. A higher level of schooling ensures
informed choices and participation in decision-making.

Third, improved reproductive health and access to family planning is another area of
inclusion. Women face multiple overlapping risk factors that result in poor health
outcomes, for instance, poverty, lack of education, and violence. South Asia has one of
the highest rates of child marriage — 42pc — with the highest rate of adolescent
pregnancy.

South Asian women also have the shortest interval between marriage and the first baby.
Although Pakistan has made some progress in controlling child marriage, the practice is
still common in the rural areas and is a barrier to the goal of improving maternal and
child health (MNCH). Early marriage and maternity pose major health challenges to
young girls who lack education and awareness about reproductive and maternal health.

Early motherhood restricts young women from availing economic opportunities and
curtails their chances of accessing education thus pushing them further towards
marginalisation. No surprise then that MNCH indicators in Pakistan are poor with high
infant and child mortality rates. Higher investments in MNCH and increased access to
family planning will lessen women’s risk of unintended pregnancies and high-risk
abortions. It can also produce significant social and economic benefits to women in
terms of productivity and better social development.

Fourth, ordinary women in Pakistan still face barriers to inclusion in politics and civic
engagements. Women in Pakistan make up almost 50pc of the population, yet they have
very few senior, executive, and legislative roles, with limited civic and political
engagements. The Constitution makes no distinction between genders, and Pakistani
wo­­me­ n, in the last two decades, have achieved notable representation in both the
provincial and national assemblies. Women politicians like Fatima Jinnah and Benazir
Bhutto established the foundation for women’s participation in politics, but pursuing poli­-
tics as a career is still not the norm for Pakistani women.

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Cultural norms and a patriarchal system resist women’s access to public spheres thus
discouraging their political empowerment. Studies show that increased representation of
women in politics guarantees greater investments in health and education. Women in
positions of authority are incli­ned to resolve social issues and crises without violence
and are more likely to address women’s interests.

Social inclusion is vital to sustainable development. It leads to gender equality and

addresses the most critical of social and economic issues. Poor social indicators
pertaining to gender undermine development and call for an urgent review of policies for
women’s empowerment. For achieving the SDGs, it is essential to put them at the
forefront. Their enhanced participation in the socioeconomic and political mainstream is
central to advancing their issues on national forums and making their voices heard. This
eventually benefits all.

The writer is director of the Institute of Gender Studies, Shah Abdul Latif University,
Khairpur.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2024

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