The role of women in Pakistan’s economy has long been underrepresented, undervalued, and overshadowed by deep-rooted social, cultural, and institutional barriers. Despite constituting nearly half of the population, women's participation in the formal economy remains critically low. This article explores the multifaceted aspects of women's economic participation in Pakistan, including existing challenges, contributions across sectors, government initiatives, and the roadmap to greater inclusion.



The Current Landscape

According to the World Bank, as of 2023, Pakistan’s female labor force participation rate stood at approximately 21%, one of the lowest in South Asia. By contrast, the male labor participation rate hovers above 80%. While the informal economy sees significant female involvement — especially in agriculture and home-based work — the formal sector remains largely inaccessible.

Several factors contribute to this low participation rate:

  • Patriarchal norms that limit women's mobility and autonomy.
  • Lack of access to education and vocational training.
  • Safety concerns and harassment in public and professional spaces.
  • Inadequate childcare and maternity support in workplaces.
  • Limited access to finance and property ownership.
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Socio-Cultural Barriers

Cultural expectations and traditional gender roles are perhaps the most persistent barriers. In many rural and even urban areas, the notion that a woman’s primary role is domestic still prevails. Female employment is often seen as supplementary rather than essential, and in many cases, stigmatized altogether.

These cultural constraints are further reinforced by:

  • Religious misinterpretations that discourage women's work outside the home.
  • Family pressures to prioritize marriage over career.
  • Purdah (seclusion) practices that restrict women's public presence.

Educational Disparities

Education is the cornerstone of empowerment, yet Pakistani women face significant educational disparities. According to UNESCO, the female literacy rate in Pakistan is around 46%, compared to 71% for males. In rural areas, these figures are even more stark.

Despite progress in girls' enrollment in primary schools, drop-out rates remain high due to early marriages, household responsibilities, and inadequate sanitation facilities in schools. This lack of education directly impacts women’s ability to access skilled jobs or start businesses.

Contributions to the Economy

Despite obstacles, women are making substantial contributions to the economy in various sectors:

1. Agriculture

Women form the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural sector, especially in rural areas. They are engaged in sowing, harvesting, and livestock management. Yet, most are unpaid family workers, lacking legal protections or economic recognition.

2. Cottage Industries and Home-Based Work

From embroidery to carpet weaving, women are at the forefront of Pakistan’s cottage industries. Many work from home, balancing economic activity with domestic responsibilities. However, this labor often goes undocumented and underpaid.

3. Textile and Garment Industry

In urban centers, especially in garment factories, women form a significant portion of the labor force. Though the work is physically demanding and low-paying, it provides economic opportunities and independence.

4. Education and Health Sectors

Women dominate professions like teaching and nursing. Female teachers have played a critical role in increasing literacy rates among girls. Similarly, lady health workers (LHWs) have been vital in rural health outreach programs.

5. Entrepreneurship

Pakistani women entrepreneurs are emerging across various sectors. From running beauty salons to launching tech startups, female entrepreneurs are slowly transforming the business landscape. Organizations like KASHF Foundation and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce are providing training and microfinance to support these ventures.

Government Initiatives and Legal Framework

The Pakistani government has launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s economic empowerment:

1. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)

Launched in 2008, BISP provides financial assistance to low-income women, enabling them to make household decisions and invest in their children's education and health.

2. Ehsaas Programme

Under the broader umbrella of social protection, Ehsaas initiatives include scholarships, vocational training, and interest-free loans targeted at women.

3. Women’s Economic Empowerment Packages

Several provincial and federal programs have been launched to increase female workforce participation. These include women-only business incubators, skills training centers, and credit schemes.

4. Legal Protections

Laws like the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2010) and the Punjab Women Protection Authority aim to create safer working environments. However, implementation remains a challenge.

The Urban-Rural Divide

Urban women have more access to education, technology, and employment opportunities, yet they face their own set of challenges, such as workplace discrimination and gender pay gaps. In contrast, rural women are more economically active but remain confined to low-paying, labor-intensive roles with minimal rights or recognition.

Bridging this urban-rural divide is essential. Strategies must be inclusive, addressing both high-skilled urban employment and the needs of rural laborers.

Technology as an Enabler

Digital platforms offer new opportunities for women to participate in the economy from the safety of their homes. E-commerce, freelancing, and online education are reshaping traditional economic models.

Several platforms like DigiSkills.pk, SheMeansBusiness by Facebook, and WomenX are providing digital literacy and entrepreneurial training to women across Pakistan. Mobile wallets and branchless banking services like JazzCash and Easypaisa are enabling financial inclusion for women without access to traditional banking.

Women in Leadership

Representation in leadership roles is crucial for long-term change. While there are notable examples — such as Dr. Sania Nishtar, Jehan Ara, and Malala Yousafzai — the overall representation of women in boardrooms, government, and policy-making remains dismally low.

Quotas for women in local governments and corporate boards exist but need to be accompanied by real empowerment and capacity-building efforts.

Challenges in the Formal Sector

Women who do enter the formal sector often face:

  • Gender wage gaps.
  • Limited opportunities for advancement.
  • Lack of maternity leave and childcare facilities.
  • Discriminatory hiring practices.

Workplaces must become more inclusive through gender-sensitive policies, flexible work arrangements, and safe environments.

Role of Civil Society and NGOs

Numerous civil society organizations are working to empower women economically. Entities like Aurat Foundation, LEAD Pakistan, and CARE International are providing skills training, legal aid, and advocacy. Partnerships between government and NGOs have been instrumental in implementing community-based programs.

Policy Recommendations

To enhance women’s economic participation, a multi-pronged approach is essential:

  1. Invest in Girls’ Education: Education must be prioritized with targeted scholarships, transport facilities, and gender-sensitive curricula.

  2. Enforce Legal Protections: Strengthen the enforcement of laws against workplace harassment, discrimination, and domestic violence.

  3. Promote Financial Inclusion: Expand access to microcredit, mobile banking, and financial literacy programs.

  4. Encourage Entrepreneurship: Support women-led startups through grants, mentorship, and market access.

  5. Develop Infrastructure: Create women-friendly public transport, secure workplace facilities, and childcare centers.

  6. Expand Digital Access: Provide internet access and digital skills training, particularly in underserved areas.

  7. Public Awareness Campaigns: Challenge stereotypes and promote the narrative that women's work is valuable and essential.

  8. Support Informal Workers: Legalize and register home-based work, ensuring access to labor rights and social protections.

  9. Implement Gender Quotas Meaningfully: Ensure that quotas lead to actual influence and decision-making power.

  10. Corporate Sector Engagement: Encourage companies to adopt diversity and inclusion policies and measure gender impact.

Conclusion

Women’s economic empowerment is not just a matter of social justice — it is an economic imperative. If Pakistan is to achieve sustainable growth, reduce poverty, and become competitive globally, the full potential of its female population must be unlocked.

Unlocking this potential will require concerted efforts from government, civil society, private sector, and communities. It means not only providing women with opportunities but also dismantling the barriers that prevent them from seizing those opportunities.

As Pakistan stands at the crossroads of economic development and social transformation, empowering women is no longer optional — it is essential.