A Quick Overview of Gender Bias in Pakistan
Focusing on two major sectors, education and workplace, this article summarizes the widespread gender bias that is predominant in these sectors.
Gender bias in Pakistan is prevalent in almost all areas of society. As per the UN report on the Sustainable Development Agenda, 4.9 million women in Pakistan are devoid of SDG-related aspects. Moreover, it has been affirmed in a report by the World Economic Forum that ‘Pakistan is ranked at the 141 positions in the Global Gender Gap Report (GGGR), 2014, the second-lowest spot on a list of 142 countries.’ This article will further explore gender bias in two inter-related sectors.
Bias in the Educational Sector
While gender bias in Pakistan has been recorded in all SDG-related dimensions, it has been mostly detected in the educational sector. In light of a report issued by the Ministry of Women Development, 60% of adult females are illiterate. The inaccessibility to quality education in rural areas explains why most women in the workplace belong to the middle or upper class. These women in tribal areas live in horrible social conditions where the entirety of their day is consumed by domestic labour hence there is barely any importance given to getting an education. Furthermore, the idea of ‘false consciousness’ results in them being unable to perceive the reality of their social and economic position. In light of the aforementioned UN report, 99.5% of poorest rural women in the KPK have less than 6 years of education. All these factors corroborate to the nation’s economic disadvantage.
Read our detailed article relating to this problem here
Bias at the Workplace
Despite comprising 48.8% of the nation’s population, the status of Pakistani women is below par. Only 25% of the women are involved in the workforce which is way below the world average (48.7). The sort of bias that women are faced by at the workplace is inclusive of, but not limited to, discriminatory harassment (based on race, religion, sexual orientation and age), personal harassment (humiliation, constant criticizing and blackballing), sexual harassment (inappropriate sexual gestures & comments, sharing sexual photographs/ videos and invading one’s personal space). Regardless of the increasing female representation in the employment sector, bias continues to prevail. Females aren’t included in important decision making; when considering promotions and raising salaries. Though women in rural areas often perform unpaid and informal labour, women in urban areas are at a disadvantage too where their success and equal representation is hampered by gender bias norms, unfair wages and minimal employment opportunities. Furthermore, workplace harassment deters women from seeking profitable business and negatively impacts their financial and social strengthening. The lack of a safe environment where women can work with dignity and respect is what hinders their economic productivity.
Read our detailed article realting to this problem here
Herein, it is expedient to conclude that this menace has emerged as one of the fundamental issues obstructing Pakistan’s socio-economic progress. However, steps are being taken to overcome this problem. Some of these initiatives to counter gender bias in Pakistan and aggrandize women include movements like the “Aurat March” and the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace, 2010. To ameliorate the social standing of women there is a dire need for more passing of bills so that the deep-rooted patriarchal mindsets can be reproached against.
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