Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality in Pakistan
SDG 5 in Pakistan aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. It targets eliminating disparities in education, employment, healthcare, political participation, and social rights as part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Key Targets of SDG 5 include:
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Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
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Eliminating violence, trafficking, and sexual exploitation.
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Abolishing harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
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Recognizing unpaid care and domestic work through public services and social protection.
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Ensuring women’s full participation and equal leadership opportunities in political, economic, and public life.
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Providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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Enforcing reforms to guarantee women’s equal access to economic resources, including land, property, financial services, and inheritance.
In Pakistan, SDG 5 is crucial to addressing persistent gender disparities in education, employment, political representation, and access to resources.
“Empowering women is empowering a nation toward progress and equity.”
Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a serious concern in Pakistan, affecting women and girls across the country.
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Domestic Violence: About 28% of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence, and 6% sexual violence. Among ever-married women, 34% report spousal physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, while 5% experience spousal sexual violence (PDHS 2017–18).
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Honor Killings: Nearly 1,000 women are murdered annually in the name of honor, though many cases go unreported. Between 2014 and 2019, over 3,800 women were killed in honor-related incidents. Legal loopholes allow families to “forgive” perpetrators, resulting in many cases being settled outside courts.
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Child Marriage: Around 18.3% of girls are married before 18, and 3.6% before 15. For boys, 4.7% are married before 18. The Child Marriage Restraint Act is inconsistently enforced, particularly in rural areas where local customs and tribal laws dominate.
“Ending violence against women is not just a legal duty—it is a moral imperative for society.”
Women’s Education in Pakistan
Despite progress, significant gender gaps remain in educational enrollment across all levels. UNESCO (2021) data shows:
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Pre-primary GER: Male 79%, Female 74%
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Primary (1–5) GER: Male 105%, Female 97%
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Middle (6–8) GER: Male 60%, Female 55%
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Secondary (9–12) GER: Male 39%, Female 34%
These figures highlight that girls lag behind boys, especially at higher education levels.
A shortage of female teachers, particularly in rural areas, further limits girls’ access to schooling, as families often prefer female educators for cultural reasons.
Government investment in education remains low, at only 1.7% of GDP, well below UNESCO’s recommended 4–6%. This underfunding results in poor infrastructure, insufficient teaching materials, and a lack of trained staff, all of which hinder educational progress for girls.
“Educate a girl, and you illuminate not just her world, but the nation’s future.”
Women’s Economic Participation in Pakistan
Globally, women represent 38.8% of the labor force, yet in Pakistan, their participation remains around 20%—one of the lowest in South Asia. Most women are engaged in the informal sector (65%), working in agriculture, domestic labor, or small-scale retail—areas that typically lack job security, social protection, and fair wages.
Entrepreneurial progress is similarly constrained. Only 5% of bank loans are granted to women, and many face limited access to training, markets, and supportive networks, compounded by restrictive social norms. Moreover, the gender pay gap stands at approximately 34%, with women in agriculture often earning half as much as men for identical work.
Government initiatives like the Kamyab Jawan Program and the Ehsaas Kafaalat Program aim to close these disparities by offering loans, training, and financial support to empower women economically.
“When a woman earns, she not only feeds her family—but nourishes a nation’s future.”
Political Representation
Women’s Political Representation in Pakistan
Women currently hold about 20% of seats in both the National Assembly and the Senate, reflecting progress toward gender inclusion in governance. At the provincial level, reserved seats ensure representation across regions: Punjab (66 of 371), Sindh (29 of 168), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (22 of 145), and Balochistan (11 of 65).
However, representation does not always equal empowerment. Many women legislators face limited decision-making authority within male-dominated political parties and endure harassment, threats, and societal constraints that restrict active participation. These challenges underline the need for systemic reforms to create a safer and more inclusive political environment.
To strengthen women’s leadership, organizations such as the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and UN Women Pakistan conduct leadership and capacity-building programs, empowering women to participate confidently and effectively in politics.
“A woman’s voice in parliament is not just her own—it echoes the silenced hopes of many.”
6. Legal Framework and Policies
Recent Legal Developments for Advancing Gender Equality in Pakistan
The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act
Implemented in Islamabad and several provinces, this law criminalizes domestic violence and provides protection orders, shelters, and legal support for victims. Despite its progressive framework, implementation remains uneven, with enforcement gaps and limited institutional support in some regions.Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance (2020):Designed to expedite rape cases and strengthen victim protection, this ordinance established special courts and emphasized forensic evidence to ensure fair trials. Yet, its impact is hindered by cultural resistance, limited awareness, and resource constraints that slow judicial processes.The Women’s Property Rights Act (2021)
This landmark legislation safeguards women’s inheritance and property rights, ensuring they are not unlawfully deprived of ownership. While it marks a critical step toward economic empowerment, inconsistent enforcement—especially in rural areas— continues to restrict its effectiveness.
“Laws may open the door, but justice walks through only when society has the courage to let her in.”
7. Empowering Women and Advancing Gender Equality in Pakistan (SDG 5)
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) aims to alleviate poverty by providing cash transfers to low-income families, with a particular focus on women. Reaching over 7 million beneficiaries, BISP has significantly enhanced women’s access to healthcare, improved girls’ school attendance, and fostered financial independence among marginalized households.
The government, in collaboration with NGOs, has also established Women’s Protection Centers and Helplines to support survivors of violence. However, many of these facilities remain underfunded and limited to urban areas, leaving rural women with restricted access to such vital services.
Civil society organizations—notably Aurat Foundation, Bedari, and War Against Rape (WAR)—continue to play a transformative role through legal aid, awareness campaigns, and leadership training, helping women claim their rights and participate fully in all spheres of life.
“When women are empowered, societies awaken—their strength becomes the nation’s foundation.”
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Conclusion:
Achieving SDG 5: Gender Equality is vital for Pakistan’s progress. True equality is not only a matter of justice but also a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and sustainable social transformation. By strengthening institutional support, enforcing legal protections, and promoting women’s participation across all sectors, Pakistan can move toward a more equitable and resilient society.
“When women rise, nations prosper—equality is not a favor, but the foundation of progress.”
