Gender inequality in Pakistan: Harbinger of Doom

Gender inequality in Pakistan has now become a back burner issue or one can say it has become harbinger of doom. Indeed, women in this country has been in eminently plight in almost every sector i.e. economic, social and religious owing to different deterrents diktat by our society. In fact, women are economically hinge on men, which compels them to compromise on their respect. Moreover, some of our anarchic custom believers has made women's life perilous by regarding them their servant. Furthermore, owing to some religious bigots' misguidance, men become violent towards women because these pseudo philosophers do not bear to see the rise of women in our circle. Hence, Gender inequality in Pakistan is a reality, which should be, addressed scrupulously by government and men in our community should develop a civic sense too.

In Pakistan, condition of women is marred and it has been proved by the given data from certain international organizations. First, according to Gender Parity Index 2020, given by the World Economic Forum, it ranks Pakistan 151 out of 153 countries. Secondly, according to Gender Inequality Index 2020, provided by the UNDP, Pakistan stands at 154 out of 162 states. Now the million-dollar question is why Women is considered as cumbersome, especially in Pakistan? There are the multitude of reasons.

To start with, some men in our society are having conservative mindset. They consider women inferior to men. Such bugbears do not want to see women to flourish. Reason for this is that people have blind compliance towards our anarchic customs and traditions. In past, people deemed women as a servant and treat her to quench the sexual desires. These kind of adherents are still present in our society, which is deeply unsettling.

Furthermore, economically women are relying on men. Normally, men is consider as a breadwinner of house and women are supposed to act like a homemaker. This particular opinion do not let women free of economic dependence on men. According to the UN Women report, only 26% women in Pakistan are economically independent; only 5% women have access to bank accounts; only 5% have their own property. This pathetic situation is making Pakistan's economy fragile.

Adding more to it, religious misinterpretation by some of the religious dogmatists who consider themselves the sole saviors of Islam is also one of the causes of gender imbalance in Pakistan. They fickle minded people misguide the others about the status of women and turn them vicious towards women, because they do not know what status Islam has given to women. Islam has restored the glory of women in the world. Thus, such bogus people are the worst enemies of women.

As every problem has some solution. Similarly, gender inequality can be eliminated by taking some measures. Firstly, it is government’s onus to address this by making and executing strict laws to punish people who are involved in gender based violence cases. In addition, incumbent government through the help of media and civil societies promote awareness regarding status of women. Also, government should economic relief plans like APNI BETI APNA DHAN(India) and others. Lastly, religious scholars should come forward to curtail the ideologies of some religious bigots by giving counter narratives. These tactful scholars should guide the misguided one by telling them the real view of Islam towards women. In a nutshell, gender gap is Pakistan has been reached to an alarming situation. Women are becoming frailty owing to economic and social sanctions which proposed by men. So, this should be addressed properly otherwise Pakistan will not flourish and our ancestor’s dreams can never be fulfilled.

AUTHOR: UMAR KHAWAJA