Pakistan’s dismal performance in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 is not just a statistic — it is a searing indictment of the country’s persistent failure to empower half its population. Ranked near the very bottom of the global index, Pakistan now trails even behind nations grappling with war, displacement, and systemic repression. Iran, with its stringent social restrictions, and conflict-ravaged Sudan, where millions of women lack basic healthcare and security, have still managed to fare better. That comparison alone should provoke serious introspection.
The most glaring indicator is women’s abysmally low participation in the labour force — just 22.8%. Most of these women work in agriculture or traditionally feminised roles such as domestic help, teaching, and nursing. Even within these sectors, there is rampant underpayment and underrecognition. It is telling that female medical professionals are still often called “lady doctors” — a term that, despite its benign appearance, reflects deeper social discomfort with acknowledging women as equals in the professional sphere.
The workplace is not the only area where women are pushed to the margins. In politics, women’s representation remains largely tokenistic. Without reserved seats, the presence of women in the National Assembly would be negligible. Only 12 women have made it to parliament through direct elections — and nearly all of them hail from dynastic political backgrounds. While many of these women have proven their capabilities, the fact that political entry is often dependent on male relatives underscores how deeply entrenched gender inequality remains in Pakistani society.
Even in education, where the numbers might suggest progress, the reality is far more nuanced. The apparent uptick in girls’ enrolment is largely the result of declining enrolment among boys — a distortion that hides the fact that millions of girls still lack access to quality education, especially in rural and marginalised areas.
This is not merely a women’s issue — it is an economic, social, and national crisis. Economists estimate that simply raising female labour force participation could boost Pakistan’s GDP by up to 60%. Greater political and social inclusion for women would enhance outcomes across healthcare, education, and governance. These are not aspirational goals — they are economic imperatives and moral obligations.
The rhetoric of women’s empowerment means little when the lived reality remains one of exclusion, exploitation, and structural bias. Pakistan cannot move forward by leaving half its population behind. Bridging the gender gap must become a national priority — not just in speeches, but in policies, budgets, and everyday practice.
