“International Women’s Day in Pakistan: A celebration of progress and a call to action for the future”

International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8th each year to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and to raise awareness about gender equality and women’s rights. In Pakistan, women face a range of challenges, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and limited access to education and economic opportunities.

• Progress made for women’s rights in Pakistan

Pakistan has made significant progress in recent years in advancing women’s rights and promoting gender equality. Some of the notable achievements include:

• Women’s representation in politics: In 2018, Pakistan elected its first-ever female speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. Women also hold positions of power in local government and provincial assemblies.
• Legal reforms: Pakistan has implemented a number of legal reforms aimed at improving women’s rights, including the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
• Education: There has been a significant increase in girls’ access to education in recent years, with the government implementing initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Programme to provide financial support to families to keep their girls in school.
• Women’s economic empowerment: Pakistan has implemented initiatives to promote women’s economic empowerment, such as the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Programme and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission.
• Health and well-being: Pakistan has made efforts to improve women’s health and well-being, with initiatives such as the Lady Health Workers Programme, which provides basic health services to women in rural areas.

• Examples of notable achievements

Here are some notable achievements in advancing women’s rights in Pakistan:

1. Women in the military: In 2006, Pakistan appointed its first female general, Shahida Malik, breaking a significant barrier for women in the military.
2. Acid attack legislation: In 2011, the Pakistani government passed the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, which imposes strict penalties for acid attacks and provides support for victims.
3. Women’s entrepreneurship: The Pakistani government has implemented initiatives such as the Women’s Business Development Centre and the Women Entrepreneurship Programme to promote women’s entrepreneurship and support women-owned businesses.
4. Women in sports: In 2018, Pakistan’s first-ever all-female cricket team was established, providing an opportunity for women to participate in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
5. Women in the arts: Pakistani women have made significant contributions to the arts, with female artists, musicians, and writers achieving international recognition for their work.

• Challenges facing women in Pakistan

While Pakistan has made progress in advancing women’s rights, there are still significant challenges facing women in the country. Here are some of the key challenges:

• Gender-based violence: Women in Pakistan face high rates of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and honor killings.
• Limited access to education: While there has been progress in increasing girls’ access to education, many girls in Pakistan still do not attend school, particularly in rural areas. Early marriage and societal attitudes that prioritize boys’ education over girls’ education are some of the barriers to girls’ education.
• Discrimination in the workplace: Women in Pakistan face discrimination in the workplace, with limited opportunities for professional advancement and gender-based pay gaps.
• Limited access to healthcare: Women in Pakistan have limited access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas where healthcare facilities may be inadequate or non-existent. This can lead to high rates of maternal mortality and other health issues.
• Limited participation in decision-making: Women in Pakistan are underrepresented in political and economic decision-making, with few women in positions of power.

• Call to action for the future

Here are some strategies and initiatives that can help promote gender equality and empower women in Pakistan:

• Education: Continued efforts to increase girls’ access to education and to promote women’s education at all levels can help to close the gender gap in education and improve women’s opportunities for employment and professional advancement.
• Women’s economic empowerment: Promoting women’s entrepreneurship, supporting women-owned businesses, and increasing access to credit and financial services for women can help to improve women’s economic opportunities and independence.
• Healthcare: Improving access to healthcare for women, particularly in rural areas, can help to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve women’s overall health and well-being.
• Political participation: Encouraging women’s participation in politics and increasing women’s representation in decision-making bodies can help to ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are represented in government.
• Ending gender-based violence: Taking action to end gender-based violence, including domestic violence and honor killings, and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions is critical to promoting women’s safety and security.
• Challenging societal attitudes: Addressing cultural and societal attitudes that discriminate against women and girls is important in promoting gender equality and empowering women.

These achievements demonstrate the important role that women play in Pakistani society and the need to continue to promote their rights and opportunities.

• Women Right in Islam

In Islam, women have been granted numerous rights and protections, which are enshrined in the Quran and Islamic teachings.

1. The Qur’an explicitly states that men and women are equal in the sight of God and should be treated with justice and compassion. (Qur’an 4:124, 16:97)
2. Islam promotes the protection of women’s rights, including their right to education, work, and equal treatment under the law. (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari, Book 24, Hadith 541)
3. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself championed the rights of women and encouraged his followers to respect and honor them. (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari, Book 73, Hadith 28)
4. The Qur’an also calls on believers to work for social justice and to speak out against oppression and injustice. (Qur’an 4:135)
5. The Aurat March’s demands for an end to gender-based violence, discrimination, and inequality are consistent with the Islamic principles of justice and compassion.

• The Way Forward

International Women’s Day is an important occasion to celebrate the achievements of women and to highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality. In the context of Islam, there are a few ways forward on this day and beyond:

• Recognize and celebrate the contributions of Muslim women: Muslim women have made significant contributions to society, in fields such as science, literature, and politics. International Women’s Day, can celebrate these achievements and honor the contributions of Muslim women in all spheres of life.
• Advocate for women’s rights: As with all women, Muslim women face significant challenges when it comes to gender equality. These challenges include access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, as well as discrimination and violence. Advocating for women’s rights and taking concrete steps to address these challenges can help to improve the lives of Muslim women and advance the cause of gender equality.
• Engage with Islamic teachings on gender: There are many different interpretations of Islamic teachings when it comes to gender roles and women’s rights. Engaging with these teachings and working to promote a more inclusive and progressive understanding of Islam can help to create a more just and equitable society for all.
• Encourage women’s leadership and participation: Women’s leadership and participation are essential to achieving gender equality. Encouraging and supporting women’s leadership in all spheres of life, including in religious and political contexts, can help to create a more inclusive and representative society.
• Educate and raise awareness: Education and awareness-raising are crucial to promoting gender equality and challenging harmful stereotypes and attitudes. This International Women’s Day, we can work to educate ourselves and others about the challenges facing Muslim women and the importance of promoting gender equality in all contexts.

In conclusion, International Women’s Day in Pakistan is a time to celebrate the progress made towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, while also recognizing the work that still needs to be done. By using hashtags such as #IWD2023Pakistan, #WomenEmpowermentPK, and #ChooseToChallengePK, we can amplify the voices of women and advocates for women’s rights in Pakistan and around the world. Let us all continue to work towards creating a more just and equitable society for women, where they can thrive and reach their full potential.