Women’s Rights in Pakistan: Progress, Issues, and the Future

Much more needs to be done to mitigate gender-basedWomen’s rights in Pakistan have strived time and again to capture the attention of all present debates. In some areas, strides have been made, and in others, many challenges remain. Pakistani women have been intensely involved in the struggle for their rights and have gained milestones along the legal and social fronts; yet, the struggle for gender equality continues.

Women’s Rights Situation in Pakistan: Important Points

Legal:

Most of the laws enacted in Pakistan in the context of women’s rights and issues include the Introduction Of The Prevention Of Anti-Woman Practice Act (2011) to prohibit practices such as forced marriage and acid throwing. For example, domestic violence has also seen tighter laws, inheritance laws that deem women as inheritors, and prohibitive laws on anti-women practices.

Educational Development:

The attendance of girls has risen in schools, thus inflating the literacy rates; however, the rural areas face considerable challenges concerning cultural beliefs on very early marriages, capacity matters, and lack of resources at such levels.

Political Inclusion:

The elections of Benazir Bhutto in 1988 as Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister made a mark regarding women in politics.

This has been lent an impetuous thrust with some gender quotas claiming equal representation of women in national and provincial assemblies. However, equal decision-making powers are mainly elusive.

Social Contribution:

Prospering in many fields like arts, sports, business, and activism are the contributions of women.

Against this background, women often find themselves pressured to play the stereotypical role of a mother and housewife, and, more often than not, their own aspirations are sacrificed for it

Laws Protecting the Rights and Safety of Women

The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill (2009)

The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act (2010)

The Protection Against Harassment of Women in the Workplace Act (2010)

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act (2010)

The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act (2011)

The Women in Distress and Detention Fund (2011)

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act (targeted at preventing acid-related crimes) (2011)

The Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Bill (2012)

The National Commission on the Status of Women Act (2012)

The National Commission for Human Rights Act (2012)

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018

The Dowry and Bridal Gifts Act

The Women, Violence, and Jirgas Act

Marriage in the Quran

Women Agriculture Bill 2019

Sindh Women Agriculture Workers Act (SWAWA) of 2019 passed in 2021

Family Laws

The Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act (1939, amended in 1961)

The Muslim Family Laws Ordinance (1961)

Hindu marriage laws in Pakistan

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Violence against women:

Many changes have been made despite the law for protection against violence against women; they still suffer from physical, psychological as well as sexual abuse.

Socio Communal issues are still very strong barriers to justice for women, along with weak law implementation that prevents many women from reporting.

Challenges To Be Overcome:

A long way remains to break these social barriers and create equal conditions for women in education, healthcare, and jobs.

 violence, plus improving survivor support and strengthening accountability systems.

Education, job opportunities, and equality of rights provide progress to women’s rights.

Women’s rights movements continue to be important in advocating for a fairer and more inclusive society. For gender equality and a more progressive future for women in Pakistan, both women and men will have to work for that shared goal.