Women working in Pakistan has been a hot topic for a long time, with a mix of progress and ongoing obstacles making it a complicated issue. In a culture where traditional values and economic needs are deeply intertwined, the role of women in the workplace goes beyond just gender equality—it has wider implications for the economic and social future of the country. Yet, when we chat about this matter, we often fall back on the same old themes—like improving poverty, gender quotas, and upskilling—while not really delving into the specific struggles that women today in Pakistan encounter. To create a economy that’s more inclusive and vibrant, we need to come up with fresh ideas that would disrupt these long-standing views and shed new light on the situation for women in work.At the core of this conversation is the idea of changing what employment means.
The conventional view of work, which often focuses on traditional offices and set hours, doesn’t quite capture the hopes or daily lives of a lot of Pakistani women. With around75% involved in informal or unpaid work, their presence often gets overlooked in economic statistics. This lack of recognition keeps a cycle of undervaluation going, holding back chances for skill growth and financial independence. It’s crucial we officially acknowledge the informal job market, offering legal protections, better access to financing, and training options. Take, for example, women acting as domestic workers or running small businesses in both urban and rural areas—they could greatly benefit from microfinance programs designed just for their specific needs. By validating their positions, we can start to tackle the systemic injustices that block progress.Another avenue that hasn’t been fully tapped into is using technology to help close the gap between opportunity and access. Recently, Pakistan has experienced a huge shift in digital reach, with mobile phones and internet access climbing to levels we couldn’t have imagined before. This is a golden chance to empower women via remote work and e-commerce. Projects like DigiSkills.pk and similar digital literacy initiatives have already begun to arm women with the skills to succeed online. Still, there’s a lot of room to broaden these efforts beyond basic education.
Building local support networks where women can find mentors, collaborative workspaces, and access to technology can create an environment where entrepreneurship and innovation can thrive. These networks can also assist women in overcoming cultural barriers to working outside the home by providing safe places to grow their businesses or continue their education.While education is often pointed to as a key solution, it needs a more layered approach. We have made some progress in getting more girls into schools, but getting them to transition into jobs still poses a big challenge. Many find themselves pushed toward careers deemed “suitable” for females, like teaching or nursing—even as fields like engineering, IT, and finance remain mostly male-dominated. This segregation starts early because of societal pressures and limited exposure to different career options. To tackle this, we should emphasize career counseling starting in secondary school, so young girls can explore a broader range of job opportunities. Partnerships between schools and industries can create pathways for internships and training programs, helping women smoothly shift from education to professional life.The concept of shared responsibilities at home is also an important piece of the puzzle. Cultural expectations often lay the caregiving role squarely on women’s shoulders, which directly affects their chances for pursuing careers. While measures like maternity leave and onsite childcare are a step forward, they don’t fully address the deeper issues of societal perceptions and shared duties. Innovative community childcare models, for example, can provide budget-friendly options for working mothers while also generating jobs for other women. Pushing for paternity leave and nurturing workplace cultures that balance work and home life can challenge traditional roles and help create a fairer environment for everyone.Rural regions present distinct hurdles and prospects in this discourse.
Agriculture remains a key source of employment for women in rural areas, yet their roles are often ignored in policy talks. With land ownership mainly held by men, women have limited power and financial freedom. Addressing this might require reforms recognizing and rewarding women’s contributions to farming. Programs that instruct women in sustainable practices, offer modern tools, and give access to markets could enhance productivity while empowering women. Additionally, opportunities in non-farm livelihoods—like handicrafts, textile making, and tourism—could provide alternative income sources, especially in areas with rich cultural backgrounds.The private sector has an important role to redefine women’s work. Instead of just meeting quotas, businesses should actively promote diversity through creating leadership opportunities for women, setting up mentoring systems, and confronting biases in hiring and promotions. Firms that focus on inclusivity tend to reap benefits in creativity, employee happiness, and productivity. Plus, partnerships between the public and private sectors can amplify successful programs, like training initiatives or business incubators, ensuring broadened impact.Social attitudes rooted in old patriarchal values still stand as a major roadblock to women’s employment. Changing these attitudes calls for varied approaches that go deeper than surface-level awareness campaigns. Storytelling, particularly through media, can be influential inshaping new perceptions of women in the workforce. Soap operas, commercials, and social media can showcase women as skilled professionals across many fields, breaking down stereotypes and promoting change. Additionally, involving men and boys in conversations about gender equality from early ages can nurture a new generation that appreciates and supports women’s career ambitions.
Finally, we can’t overlook the critical role the government must play in creating a favorable climate for women in the workplace. While Pakistan has put several laws in place aimed at securing women’s rights, the actual execution of these laws often falls short. A renewed commitment to accountability, paired with incentives for businesses that promote gender equality, could instigate real transformation. Providing tax benefits for women-led businesses, grants for creative solutions that tackle employment barriers, and enforcing stricter laws against harassment are just a few ways the government can foster a nurturing environment for women at work.
In summary, women’s employment in Pakistan is not only an economic issue but a significant chance to shift the very fabric of society. Moving away from traditional views requires us to courageously rethink what employment really is and to make systemic changes that tackle cultural and economic hurdles. By formalizing informal labor, leveraging technology, reshaping education, and challenging societal norms, Pakistan can unlock the untapped potential of millions of women. This journey won’t be easy, but the benefits—a more inclusive, fair, and thriving society—will definitely be worth the struggle.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE