NATIONAL REPORT ON THE

STATUS OF WOMEN
IN PAKISTAN
This publication has been funded by the U.S. Department of State
through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views
of the U.S. Department of State or UN Women.
 This Report was developed through a partnership between
The National Commission on Status of Women and UN Women Pakistan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from NCSW i
Message from UN Women iii
Acknowledgments v
Methodological Note vi
Women’s Empowerment Framework underlying the Report vii
List of Acronyms viii
I. Executive Summary 1
II. Progress Towards International Commitments 5
III. Overview and Scope of the Report 12

Chapter 1 | Education & Skills 16

1.1. Literacy and Enrolment 17
1.2. Access to Vocational/ Skill Training 21
1.3. Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) 22
1.4. Transition from Education to Work 23
1.5. Annual Education Planning and Budgets 25

Chapter 2 | Employment & Economic Empowerment 30

2.1. Labor Force Participation 30
2.2. Employment Status 38
Case Study: Razia Sultana, Sialkot, Punjab 41
2.3. Unemployment and Underemployment 42
2.4. Women in Vulnerable Employment 44
2.5. Women in the Informal Sector 46
2.6. Terms and Conditions of Work 47
2.7. Financial Inclusion of Women 52

Chapter 3 | Health 56
3.1. Healthcare Facilities & Infrastructure 57
3.2. Access to Healthcare 57
3.3 Spending on Health 58
3.4. Disability 62
Case Study: Mumtaz Bibi, Kot Mengal, Balochistan 64
3.5. Malnutrition 64
3.6. Reproductive Health and Family Planning 66

Chapter 4 | Poverty and Social Protection 74

4.1. State of Poverty in Pakistan 75
4.2. Poverty and Economic Shocks 77
4.3. Social Protection Programs 77
4.4. Policy Challenges 80
Chapter 5 | Violence Against Women & Girls and Access to Justice 82
5.1. Legislative Framework on VAWG in Pakistan 82
5.2. Forms of Violence and their Incidence 83
5.3. Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding VAWG 89
5.4. Consequences of Violence and Help-Seeking Behavior 91
5.5. Access to Justice 92
Case Study: Tabassum Adnan, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 94

Chapter 6 | Decision-Making & Agency 96

6.1. Decision-making on Education 96
6.2. Decision-making on Paid Employment 97
6.3. Decision-making on Marriage 98
6.4. Decision-making on Reproductive Health and Fertility 99
6.5. Decision-making on Major Purchases, Health, and Travel 100
6.6. Property and Inheritance 102

Chapter 7 | Citizenship & Political Participation 106

7.1. Counting Women 107
7.2 Women Voters – the Missing Women 108
7.3. Voter Turnout 109
7.4. Women’s Representation 110
Case Study: Kamla Bheel, Mithi, Sindh 112
7.5. Women Representatives’ Participation and Inclusion 113
7.6. Violence Against Women in the Political Arena 113

Chapter 8 | Information & Communication Technology (ICT) 116

8.1. Computer Usage 120
8.2. Mobile Phone Ownership 121
8.3. Access to the Internet 121

Chapter 9 | Gender and the COVID-19 Pandemic 126

Case Study: Zara, Quetta, Balochistan 127

Conclusion 131
Recommendations 133
References 135

Annexures 139
Annexure A: Recommendations and Actions Taken on Universal Periodic Review 139
Annexure B: Summary of Progress on CEDAW Commitments 140
Annexure C: Statistical Tables 142
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Key International Commitments of Pakistan and date of ratification 6
Table 2: Summary of progress against Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) 8
Table 3: Quintile wise school attendance status of children & youth (%) 20
Table 4: Number of TVET institutes by province/ region 21
Table 5: LFPR of population (aged 18+) by education, province & sex (%) 24
Table 6: Median education expenses in the last year per student (PKR) 27
Table 7: Median education expenses in the last year per student by wealth quintile (PKR) 27
Table 8: LFPR of children (aged 10-14) by province & sex (%) 34
Table 9: Employed workers with graduate or above degree by profession & sex (%) 40
Table 10: Employed females (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & major industry (%) 40
Table 11: Employed workers (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & place of work (%) 41
Table 12: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in informal sector by province & sex (%) 46
Table 13: Employed women (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & job agreement (%) 47
Table 14: Average working hours of employed workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex (%) 48
Table 15: Monthly median wages of workers (aged 15-64) by main occupation, sex & Gender Wage Gap 51
Table 16: Problems accessing healthcare by ever-married women (aged 15-49) by province/ region (%) 58
Table 17: Incidence and intensity of catastrophic health expenditures (%) 61
Table 18: Impact of OOP payments on poverty by rural/ urban 62
Table 19: Population living with a disability by rural/ urban, province & sex (%) 63
Table 20: Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) over time by province & rural/ urban (%) 76
Table 21: Women’s mobility over time (%) 79
Table 22: Ever-married women (age 15-49) who experienced spousal violence by province (%) 84
Table 23: Ever-married young women (aged 15-29) who experienced violence by rural/ urban (%) 85
Table 24: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who experienced controlling
behavior from spouse by province/ region (%) 91
Table 25: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who had injuries due to spousal violence (%) 91
Table 26: Pakistan’s performance on the Rule of Law Index 2022 93
Table 27: Decision-making regarding women’s marriage by province (%) 98
Table 28: Decision-making by married women on having children by province (%) 100
Table 29: Decision-making regarding recreation/ travel by province (%) 102
Table 30: Breakdown of voters by province (number & %) 108
Table 31: Women in the National Assembly over time 111
Table 32: Reasons for not using computer by sex (%) 120
Table 33: Purpose of using computer by sex (%) 120
Table 34: Reasons for not using the internet by sex (%) 122
Table 35: Purpose of using the internet among users by sex (%) 123
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: A Framework of Women’s Economic Empowerment 14
Figure 2: Literacy rate (aged 10+) over time 17
Figure 3: Literacy rate (aged 10+) by province 18
Figure 4: Gender parity in youth (aged 15-29) literacy rate by province 18
Figure 5: School attendance by age range (%) 19
Figure 6: Net Enrolment Rate by education & rural/ urban (%) 20
Figure 7: Youth (aged 15-29) who received or are currently part of training by rural/ urban & sex (%) 22
Figure 8: NEET Rate of youth (aged 15-24) by province & sex (%) 23
Figure 9: Transition rate of youth (aged 18-29) from education to labor force (%) 24
Figure 10: Provincial Budgets 2022-23: ADP share & education share 25
Figure 11: Provincial education expenditure as % of total budget 2022-23 by province 25
Figure 12: National and Provincial Education Expenditures in FY 2020-21 (%) 26
Figure 13: Five-Year average GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2017 international $) 31
Figure 14: LFPR (aged 10+) over time (%) 32
Figure 15: Refined and Augmented LFPR of women by province (%) 32
Figure 16: Refined LFPR of workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex (%) 33
Figure 17: Age-specific LFPR of workers by sex (%) 34
Figure 18: LFPR of Workers (aged 15-64) by Marital Status & Sex (%) 35
Figure 19: Education among economically active women (aged 15-64) (%) 36
Figure 20: LFPR of workers (aged 15-64) by education (%) 36
Figure 21: LFPR of youth (aged 15-29) with graduate or above education 37
Figure 22: Marital status among economically active women (aged 15-64) by education (%) 37
Figure 23: Employed workers (aged 15-64) by employment status & sex (%) 38
Figure 24: Employed female workers by occupation (%) 39
Figure 25: Graduate & above employed workers by occupation & sex (%) 39
Figure 26: Unemployment rate of workers (aged 15-64) by province, rural/ urban & sex (%) 42
Figure 27: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex (%) 44
Figure 28: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & sex (%) 45
Figure 29: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-64) by education level & sex (%) 45
Figure 30: Employed females (aged 15-64) in the informal/ formal sector by education level (%) 46
Figure 31: Employed females (aged 15-64) in non-agriculture by education level (%) 47
Figure 32: Employed females (aged 15-64) by nature of job agreement (%) 47
Figure 33: Average weekly working hours of women (aged 15-64) by education level (%) 48
Figure 34: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex 49
Figure 35: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by main occupation & sex 49
Figure 36: Gender Wage Gap among paid workers (aged 15-64) – National, Punjab & Sindh by rural/ urban (%) 50
Figure 37: Gender Wage Gap among paid workers (aged 15-64) by education (%) 50
Figure 38: Workers (aged 15-64) earning below minimum wage by rural/ urban & sex (%) 51
Figure 39: Workers (aged 15-64) earning below minimum wage by education level & sex (%) 53
Figure 40: Financial Inclusion among women (aged 15-49) by education (%) 54
Figure 41: Outreach to women – Microcredit, Micro-savings, and Micro-insurance 54
Figure 42: Gender-wise share in the number of borrowers (%) 54
Figure 43: Rural population with a health facility at up to 10 km (%) 57
Figure 44: Health expenditures (as % of GDP) 59
Figure 45: Provincial Health Budget Allocations (as % of Total Budgets) 59
Figure 46: Sources of Health Financing in Pakistan (%) 60
Figure 47: OOP Payments in South Asian countries 60
Figure 48: Impact of OOP health expenditures on household consumption 62
Figure 49: Functional disability by province & sex (%) 63
Figure 50: Nutritional status among ever-married women (aged 15-49) (%) 65
Figure 51: Nutritional status among ever-married women by quintile (%) 66
Figure 52: Age at first marriage among young women (aged 15-29) (%) 67
Figure 53: Age at first marriage among young women (aged 15-29) by education (%) 67
Figure 54: Age of mother at first live birth by province (%) 68
Figure 55: Average vs. desired number of children among young women (aged 15-29) by province/ region 69
Figure 56: Ever-married women using any contraception method over time (%) 70
Figure 57: Indicators related to safe delivery for ever-married women by rural/ urban (%) 70
Figure 58: Policy Pillars of Inclusive Growth 74
Figure 59: Poverty rate by province & rural/ urban (%) 75
Figure 60: Poverty bands overtime (%) 76
Figure 61: Control over BISP’s disbursements among beneficiaries over time (%) 79
Figure 62: Distribution of beneficiaries in various bandwidths (%) 80
Figure 63: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who ever experienced spousal violence (%) 84
Figure 64: Ever married women (aged 15-49) who ever experienced spousal violence by education (%) 84
Figure 65: Justifications given by women (aged 15-49) for wife beating by province (%) 90
Figure 66: Justifications by women (aged 15-64) in Punjab for wife-beating (%) 90
Figure 67: Help-seeking among married women (aged 15-49) who experienced violence (%) 92
Figure 68: Decision regarding education of women by province (%) 97
Figure 69: Decision-making on paid employment of women by province (%) 97
Figure 70: Decision-making on paid employment of young women (%) 98
Figure 71: Decision-making on use of birth control by married women (%) 99
Figure 72: Decision-making on purchase of food items (%) 101
Figure 73: Decision-making regarding medical treatment (%) 102
Figure 74: Children (<5) having birth registration by province/ region and sex (%) 107
Figure 75: Women (aged 18+) having a NIC (%) 108
Figure 76: Voter turnout in National & Provincial Elections 2018 by sex (%) 109
Figure 77: Computer usage in previous 3 months by province & sex (%) 120
Figure 78: Mobile ownership by sex (%) 121
Figure 79: Internet usage by province & sex (%) 122
Figure 80: Beneficiaries under Ehsaas Emergency Cash by province/ region (in Million PKR) 126
Figure 81: Respondents working before and after COVID-19 by sex (%) 128
 MESSAGE BY NCSW
It is my great pleasure to introduce this report on the status
of women in Pakistan. The aim of the report is to provide a
comprehensive overview of the current situation of women in
Pakistan and to identify the challenges and opportunities for their
empowerment and advancement.

This report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many

individuals and organizations who have been working tirelessly
to improve the status of women in the country. It provides an in-
depth analysis of the current situation of women in Pakistan and
offers practical recommendations for policymakers, civil society
organizations, and other stakeholders to promote gender equality
and women’s empowerment.
Nilofar Bakhtiar
Pakistan is a country of great diversity, with a rich cultural heritage
Chairperson
and a population of over 200 million people. However, despite its
National Commission on
the Status of Women
many strengths, Pakistan still faces many challenges when it comes
to gender equality and women’s rights. Women and girls continue
to face discrimination and marginalization in many areas of life,
including education, employment, political participation, decision-
making, healthcare, access to the justice system, asset ownership,
etc. At the same time, significant gains have been made in recent
years to empower them from the ground up.

The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW)

continues to play a significant role in advancing the agenda of
women’s empowerment and gender equality in Pakistan, as per
its responsibility in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan,
and positive changes can be seen at the legislative, policy and
programmatic levels.

Actions to implement the recommendations of Pakistan’s

international commitments for gender equality have also been
addressed by the NCSW and domestic violence legislation is now
in place in all provinces. Pakistan has also enacted legal reforms to
remove the lacunae which enabled honor crimes to be pardoned
and for development of strong implementation mechanisms to
respond to cases of sexual assault. Provisions for the representation

i National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

of women at all levels of government and ensuring the property
rights of women are now in place as well. The advocacy work
of NCSW also resulted in the strengthening of the provincial
Commissions on the Status of Women, which continue to work
towards strengthening the position of women in their respective
provinces.

The government is also undertaking efforts to increase women’s

participation in the labor force. In partnership with other
organizations, a Women Business Development Center has been
launched, the Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Program has
been established to provide training and mentorship to women
entrepreneurs. With regard to social protection and fulfilment of
basic needs, the government has launched various initiatives, such
as the Ehsaas Program/ Benazir Income Support programme,
which provides cash transfers to poor households headed by
women. Stipends are given for the education of children, which are
favorably tilted towards the girl child.

Data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting on gender

issues has been a challenge in Pakistan. To address this issue, NCSW
launched the National Gender Database Portal (NGDP) in December
2021 as an online platform providing comprehensive and up-to-date
data on gender-related indicators in the country. The NGDP was
developed in partnership with UN Women with technical support
from several national and provincial departments, including the
Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Planning, Development and
Special Initiatives, federal and provincial Bureaus of Statistics and
the provincial Women Development and Planning & Development
departments.

This report, which is an output of the NGDP, will serve as a valuable

resource for all those who are committed to advancing the rights
and wellbeing of women and girls in Pakistan. In the end, I would
like to thank UN Women for their continuous support to NCSW,
including for the NGDP and this seminal report, and I look forward
to continuing to work together to build a more just and equitable
society for all.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 ii

 MESSAGE BY UN WOMEN
Human Rights are universal. Gender Equality is a concept anchored
firmly in the principle that human rights are non-negotiable.
Sustainable Development Goal 5 reflects this imperative. As we
cross the mid-point of the Sustainable Development Agenda, we
find ourselves in a dilemma - much is yet to be achieved to achieve
the progress we aspired for this goal.

At home in Pakistan, global indices find that the country fares

abysmally low on indicators related to women’s rights and
empowerment – it ranked 142 out of 146 countries in the Global
Gender Gap Report (GGGR) 2023, 161 out of 192 in the Human
Development Index (HDI) 2021-2022 period, and 129 out of 140 on
the Rule of Law (RoL) Index. Notwithstanding this dismal picture,
Sharmeela Rassool Pakistan has made significant progress in the recent past. We are
Country Representative proud of the constitutional guarantee on Equality, which prohibits
UN Women Pakistan discrimination based on sex and affirms that all citizens are equal
before the law. In addition, federal and provincial governments
have taken progressive measures over the years to advance the
gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda, including
through enacting pro-women laws, implementing policy reforms,
and introducing initiatives with a focus on women and girls,
including through affirmative actions.

UN Women’s work in Pakistan supports the state to deliver

on its national commitments to women and girls, aligned with
international commitments including CEDAW, Beijing Platform for
Action and the SDGs. Our multi-faceted approach aims to ensure
the integration of gender equality into all development plans,
policies, laws initiatives and budgets in order to create a more just
and equitable society, where women and girls can thrive as well as
contribute to the nation’s progress.

The National Report on Status of Women arrives at a crucial

juncture as Pakistan has been facing extreme challenges over
the past few years – such as the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020-
21, the humanitarian crisis caused by the 2022 floods, economic
constraints, political volatility, and increased levels of vulnerability

iii National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

and poverty among the population. In times of such crises, the
gender equality agenda often takes a backseat as other needs
seem to be more urgent. However, response to any challenge, be
it a long-term development issue or an emergency caused by a
disaster, must incorporate a gender lens and involve women and
girls in the solution. The first step must be a thorough understanding
of the situation on the ground, including areas that need focused
attention, as well as good practices or success stories that can be
replicated or scaled up.

The National Commission on the Status of Women our stellar

partner, together with my vibrant team, have worked hard on
this valuable report which provides an extensive overview of the
conditions influencing the lives of women and girls in Pakistan on
critical and current areas. It provides a comprehensive snapshot
of women’s status in the country, based on analysis of recent
official data, synthesis of secondary data from reliable sources,
insights from credible studies, as well as qualitative examples. The
findings of the NRSW should encourage innovative thinking on the
part of all partners and bring them together to advocate for and
implement policies and initiatives aimed at accelerating women’s
empowerment and addressing violence and discrimination.

We urge all stakeholders to join hands and provide their commitment

to translate the study’s recommendations into concrete actions.
These include strengthening implementation of pro-women laws,
compiling and reviewing gender-disaggregated budget data,
promoting women’s access to opportunities in financial and non-
traditional sectors, supporting their participation in the digital
economy, and building capacity of state institutions to respond
to survivors of violence. Let us come together to address the
persistent barriers towards gender equality in Pakistan - together,
we can make a difference.

In conclusion, I want to address Pakistani women and girls: you

are an invaluable part of the past, the present and the future of
Pakistan. Your contributions are not insignificant, be it in the home,
the field, the school, workplace, or as Prime Minister of the country.
Even in the face of the numerous challenges you face in your life,
you have emerged resilient and strong, you must keep striving for
your dreams, which you have to transmit to the next generation,
especially your daughters. They should be able to walk in your
footsteps and move further towards the destination of gender
equality, which is our common goal. We are here to support you on
this journey towards a brighter and more equitable future, for you
and for Pakistan!

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 iv

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This National Report on the Status of Women in the first draft which then benefitted from a thorough
Pakistan was designed and commissioned by the peer review by gender experts including Dr. Farzana
National Commission on the Status of Women and UN Bari, Saba Khattak, Shirin Gul and Benazir Jatoi. Minhaj
Women Pakistan. It was developed under the technical ul Haque contributed significantly to compilation and
supervision of Saman Ahsan, Portfolio Manager, Ending analysis of data from the NGDP, which was used for
Violence Against Women, Governance & Human this report. The Pakistan Institute of Development
Rights, UN Women Pakistan, with valuable inputs and Economics (PIDE) was engaged as a partner under the
support from Ayesha Wadood, Ejaz Mustafa, Erum leadership of Dr. Shujaat Farooq to undertake more in-
Fareed, Hassan Ali Abbasi, Hassan Hakeem, Iina Pykko, depth analytics and provide a robust analysis of the
Muhammad Younas Khalid, Nabila Zar Malick, Nadia NGDP data including through extrapolation from the
Tariq Ali, Sidra Humayun, Shadab Memoon Zaman, and existing data sources as well as finding interlinkages
Sumeira Aslam. between different themes.

The original draft outline was prepared by Khawar Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous
Mumtaz, former Chairperson NCSW with support from financial support of the U.S. Embassy Office of
Shabana Arif, Technical Advisor NCSW-UN Women International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL)
and Muhammad Younas Khalid, Gender Advisor UN towards this initiative.
Women. Senior Gender Expert Safiya Aftab prepared

v National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

METHODOLOGICAL NOTE
This National Report on the Status of Women in International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL)
Pakistan was designed and commissioned by the towards this initiative.
National Commission on the Status of Women and UN
The main survey data was obtained from the following
Women Pakistan. It was developed under the technical
sources:
supervision of Saman Ahsan, Portfolio Manager, Ending
Violence Against Women, Governance & Human 1. Pakistan Social & Living Standards Measurement
Rights, UN Women Pakistan, with valuable inputs and Survey (PSLM); various rounds - latest available:
support from Ayesha Wadood, Ejaz Mustafa, Erum 2019-20
Fareed, Hassan Ali Abbasi, Hassan Hakeem, Iina Pykko, 2. Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES);
Muhammad Younas Khalid, Nabila Zar Malick, Nadia various rounds - latest available: 2018-19
Tariq Ali, Sidra Humayun, Shadab Memoon Zaman, and 3. Pakistan Labor Force Survey (LFS); various years -
Sumeira Aslam. latest available: 2020-21
4. Multiple indicator Cluster Survey (MICS); Punjab:
The original draft outline was prepared by Khawar
2017-18, Sindh: 2018-19, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Mumtaz, former Chairperson NCSW with support from
2019-20, and Balochistan: 2019-20
Shabana Arif, Technical Advisor NCSW-UN Women.
5. Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS);
Senior Gender Expert Safiya Aftab prepared the first
latest available: 2017-18
draft which then benefitted from a thorough peer
6. Census 2017-18
review by gender experts including Dr. Farzana Bari,
Saba Khattak, Shirin Gul and Benazir Jatoi. Minhaj ul Besides the above-mentioned datasets, various
Haque contributed significantly to compilation and secondary datasets were retrieved from the concerned
analysis of data from the NGDP, which was used for organizations, i.e., voter data from the Election
this report. The Pakistan Institute of Development Commission of Pakistan, and budget data from federal
Economics (PIDE) was engaged as a partner under the and provincial Finance Departments.
leadership of Dr. Shujaat Farooq to undertake more in- The core qualifier for selecting data from the micro
depth analytics and provide a robust analysis of the datasets and secondary data was to use information
NGDP data including through extrapolation from the that is directly or indirectly linked to the status of
existing data sources as well as finding interlinkages women. In-depth interviews were also held with a few
between different themes. key stakeholders to gauge a more qualitative analysis
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous of Pakistani women’s digital inclusion.
financial support of the U.S. Embassy Office of

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 vi

 WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
FRAMEWORK UNDERLYING
THE REPORT
Women’s empowerment is a multidimensional concept. Two supporting factors are crucial to achieving
The report in hand attempt to analyze the concept women’s socio-economic empowerment: resources,
from various aspects, including economic, social, and conducive norms and institutions. Women need
political and other aspects of life. The analysis carried resources, whether individual or community, to
out in the report is guided by the women’s socio- succeed. These can be related to financial, human,
economic empowerment framework, which combines social, or physical capital. Norms and Institutions
the two inter-related and mutually reinforcing aspects organize social and economic relations, and influence
of ‘economic advancement’ and ‘agency’: how resources are distributed and used. Norms
include gender defined roles, taboos, restrictions and
• To succeed and advance economically women
expectations such as whether or not it is appropriate
need a set of human capital resources to compete
for women to be in public spaces, hold certain types
in markets, as well as fair and equal access to
of jobs, or manage money. Institutions include legal
economic opportunities and financial systems.
and policy structures, economic systems, market
• To have the power and agency to benefit from
structures, marriage, inheritance and education
economic activities, women need to have the
systems.
ability to make and act on decisions and control
resources and profits.

vii National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

LIST OF ACRONYMS

AIM Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance

AJ&K Azad Jammu & Kashmir

BISP Benazir Income Support Programme

BPfA Beijing Platform for Action

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women

CHE Catastrophic Health Expenditures

CMRA Child Marriage Restraint Act

CNIC Computerized National Identity Card

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease

CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child

CRPD Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities

CSW Commission on the Status of Women

DGR Directorate General of Registration

DHS Demographic and Health Survey

ECP Election Commission of Pakistan

FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas

FIA Federal Investigation Agency

GB Gilgit Baltistan

GBV Gender-Based Violence

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GEWE Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

GoP Government of Pakistan

GSMA Groupe Speciale Mobile Association

GSP Generalized System of Preferences

HDI Human Development Index

HIES Household Integrated Economics Survey

HMIS Health Management Information System

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 viii

 ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

ICERD International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

ICT Information, and Communication Technology

INL U.S. Embassy Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement

IPMG Inter-Provincial Ministerial Group

ILO International Labour Organization

IPV Intimate Partner Violence

KP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

LFPR Labor Force Participation rate

LFS Labor Force Survey

LG Local Government

MDGs Millennium Development Goals

MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

MNA Member National Assembly

MPA Member Provincial Assembly

MPI Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index

NADRA National Database & Registration Authority

NAVTTC National Vocational and Technical Training Commission

NCSW National Commission on the Status of Women

NEET Not in Education, Employment or Training

NEP National Education Policy

NER Net Enrolment Rate

NFIS National Financial Inclusion Strategy

NGDP National Gender Data Portal

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NHRI National Human Rights Institution

NIC National Identity Card

NMD Newly Merged District

NPA National Plan of Action

NRSW National Report on the Status of Women

OOP Out-of-pocket

ix National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 PAAS Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety

PAHWA Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act

PBM Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal

PCSW Provincial Commission on the Status of Women

PDHS Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey

PDS Pakistan Demographic Survey

PECA Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act

PESW Punjab Economic and Social Wellbeing

PHC Primary Health Care

PMR Pakistan Microfinance Review

PPAF Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund

PPP Purchasing Power Parity

PSLM Pakistan Social and Living Measurement Survey

PSPA Punjab Social Protection Authority

ROPA Representation of the Peoples Act

SBP State Bank of Pakistan

SDG Sustainable Development Goal

SME Small and Medium Enterprise

SSN Social Safety Net

SSP Sehat Sahulat Programme

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training

TVO Trust for Voluntary Organizations

UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

UN
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Women
UPR Universal Periodic Review

VAW Violence Against Women

VAWG Violence Against Women & Girls

WESW Women’s Economic and Social Wellbeing

WHO World Health Organization

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 x

 I - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In light of the national and international commitments,
“No nation can rise to the height of glory the Government of Pakistan (GoP) has taken significant
unless your women are side by side with you.” measures to improve gender equality as guaranteed by
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan the Constitution. Most notably, the recently developed
National Gender Policy Framework (2022) aims to
enact many pro-women laws and policy reforms to
The founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam enhance women’s empowerment and participation.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a tireless campaigner for Formed in the year 2000, the National Commission
women’s rights who advocated for full participation of on the Status of Women (NCSW) has a dual mandate:
women in public life and nation-building. In keeping overseeing the enforcement of laws, policies, and
with his vision, the Government of the Islamic Republic programs, and aiding the government in fulfilling
of Pakistan has pledged to eliminate all discrimination its international commitments. The NCSW focuses
against women. This resolve follows the country’s on three key areas to promote women’s social and
Constitution, which emphasizes the equality of all economic inclusion: eradicating violence against
citizens and is explicit about the need to guarantee women, boosting women’s involvement and
women’s rights. Article 25(2) of the Constitution of 1973 representation in politics, and securing women’s
states, “There shall be no discrimination based on sex.” economic empowerment.
Article 26 states that there shall be no discrimination
The government recognizes that there is a long
regarding access to public spaces, while Article 27
way to go, and significant efforts are needed before
makes similar provisions about public employment.1
women can claim their rightful status as full and active
The Vision 2025 shows the state’s commitment to
citizens of the country. The National Commission on
gender equality by mainstreaming them in every
the Status of Women (NCSW) expanded its mandate
sphere of life and promoting an enabling environment
as a financially and administratively autonomous
for women to realize their full potential.
statutory body through appropriate legislation in
In addition, Pakistan has agreed to many 2012. It is an outcome of the national and international
international commitments on gender equality, commitments of the government, including the Beijing
further demonstrating its commitment improving the Declaration and the Platform for Action, 1995 and the
situation of women in the country. It played a leading National Plan of Action (NPA) for Women, 1998. The
role and was among the first countries in the United NCSW is the primary oversight body on gender issues
Nations to sign the Universal Declaration of Human at the national level, with the fundamental role of
Rights (UDHR) in 1948, and since then, has become a reviewing and monitoring the implementation of laws,
signatory to seven international human rights treaties policies, and programs and facilitating the government
out of nine.

1. The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. Can be accessed at: http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1549886415_632.pdf

1 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

in implementing its international obligations. The data from across the country remain critical gaps that
NCSW Act 2012 empowers the Commission to seek hinder priority setting and decision-making as well
and receive information, data, or documents from as quality reporting on progress on gender equality
any official source and powers of a civil court to and women’s empowerment (GEWE). To address
enforce the attendance of any person and production the data gap, the NCSW has developed the National
of documents. It also commissions research, data Gender Data Portal (NGDP) in 2021 in collaboration
collection and analysis to enable effective monitoring with UN Women Pakistan. The NGDP is the first effort
of indicators relevant to women’s issues. to consolidate gender data at a national level using
digital tools that triangulate data from various sources.
Many good practices, success stories, small and big,
Its thematic framework and indicators are fully aligned
can be found nationwide. This includes the Benazir
with targets set by the Convention on the Elimination of
Income Support Programme (BISP), launched in 2008,
all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),
which is the largest single social safety net program
Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the Sustainable
in the country, specifically targeting women, with
Development Goals (SDGs), to support reporting
a total of 8.7 million women beneficiaries to date.
on Pakistan’s international commitments on gender
Further, the establishment of Gender-Based Violence
equality. It will also be instrumental in formulating
(GBV) courts and women’s police stations, as well as
evidence-based policies and programs to advance the
progressive judgments on women’s issues such as
gender equality agenda in the country.
sexual assault, domestic violence and child marriage,
demonstrate the commitment of the state institutions This 2023 National Report on the Status of Women
to tackle violence and discrimination, advance gender (NRSW) highlights the environment of the country
equality and empower women and girls. In addition, concerning the status of women and girls, which shapes
the country has witnessed several women’s rights and influences their lives, including the factors that
movements since its independence, advocating for can improve their wellbeing and empowerment, e.g.,
gender-related issues such as legislative reform, education, access to information, communication and
enhancing women’s representation, addressing the technology (ICT), financial inclusion, entrepreneurship,
gender wage gap, preventing child marriage, domestic etc. It provides an analytical and statistical profile of
and sexual violence, etc. women in Pakistan based on the official and most recent
data collected nationwide. It pulls together secondary
However, many structural and socio-cultural barriers
data from different national and sub-national sources,
continue to curtail women and girls’ agency and
as compiled in the NGDP, as well as findings from
mobility, and the highly patriarchal society, regressive
qualitative and quantitative studies, using various
social norms and harmful gender stereotypes
micro datasets to put together a composite profile of
perpetuate discrimination and violence against women
the status of women in Pakistan.
and girls in all spheres of life. Further, Pakistan fares
poorly on global indices and reports, ranking at 142 The analysis is supported by the women’s economic
out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Report empowerment framework that combines the two
2023, despite improvement from the previous years. interrelated and mutually reinforcing aspects of
It dropped seven places in the Human Development ‘economic advancement’ and ‘agency’ – the former
Index (HDI) in the 2021-2022, placed at 161 out of 192 considers that women need skills and resources to
countries, and ranked 129 out of 140 on the Rule of compete in markets, and fair and equal access to
Law Index. economic institutions. The latter states that women
must be able to make and act on decisions and control
In seeking to uphold its international and national
resources and profits.
commitments on gender equality and women’s
human rights, the limited availability and analysis of The findings disclose that women in Pakistan, who
comprehensive and consistent gender-disaggregated make up almost half of the population of the country,

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 2

 have been facing disparities in every sphere of life, e.g., empowerment. Women’s access to the labor market
health, education, employment, political participation, and decent employment opportunities have remained
decision-making, economic opportunities, asset and unchanged. Regardless of the level of education, the
property ownership, etc. Many structural and socio- burden of domestic and care work falls heavily on
cultural barriers continue to curtail their mobility and women and girls who are 10 times more involved in
access to educational and economic opportunities. household chores, and child/elderly care than men
The challenges are deep-rooted and even more in Pakistan.2 This leads to them needing more time
entrenched in rural and remote areas. to gain skills and get jobs. Only 31% of young women
with Grade 12 and above education are part of the
Regressive social norms and poverty push millions of
labor force, and graduate females have the highest
girls into early marriage each year – Pakistan has the
unemployment rate (34%).
6th highest absolute number of child brides in the world
(almost 19 million). Such norms further contribute to low Further, social constraints which limit women from
level of health and wellbeing, lack of knowledge about working outside the home, also define the kind of
their rights, limits their voice and decision-making, and work they can do, confining them to a few sectors and
makes them vulnerable to violence. Women’s literacy professions (67% in agriculture), and most are unpaid
rate is only 49%, and gender disparities persist at each family workers (55%). Only 25% of women are paid
level. The net enrolment rate (NER) among girls is employees. Women’s formal labor force participation
just 56% at the primary level, 29% at the middle level in Pakistan is the lowest in South Asia, with wide
and 19% at the matric level. 55% of young females are provincial variations. There has been a gradual, albeit
currently neither part of employment nor education or slow, increase in women’s LFP, which has occurred
training, which demonstrates severe neglect towards more in the informal sector, while in the formal
the economic needs of young women. Over time, the sector, it has remained almost stagnant, and there is a
education level has improved substantially; however, considerable gender pay gap. According to the Global
educational facilities are not adequately equipped to Wage Report 2018-19 (ILO), women in Pakistan earn
provide a conducive learning environment and quality 34% less than men on average. The same report also
education for all students, especially females. found that women in Pakistan constitute 90% of the
country’s bottom 1% of wage earners.3
Global evidence suggests that bridging the digital
gender divide is imperative for progress – this was the Pakistan’s women largely dependent on male family
theme of the 67th Commission on the Status of Women members such as fathers, brothers, or husbands to
(CSW) at the UN in March 2023. Even in this domain, make important life decisions related to education,
women are significantly behind men in Pakistan. health, economic participation, and marriage. Forty
Internet usage among women is 13% less than men, percent of women who are not working reported the
with 28% of men accessing the internet compared main reason being that male family members do not
to 15% of women. Besides the financial constraints, permit them to take up a job.
parents or other family members often restrict access
Looking at women’s political empowerment, the
to digital technologies for girls.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) data reports
Low employment opportunities, weak industry- that the total number of registered voters is 124.8
academia linkage, limited access to information, million, out of which 68.0 million (55%) are male voters
and mobility constraints are among the foremost and 56.7 million (45%) are female voters, leaving more
challenges in women’s employment and economic than 10 million missing women voters. Significant

2. https://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/enabling-more-pakistani-women-work

3. https://www.ilo.org/islamabad/info/public/pr/WCMS_651658/lang--en/index.htm

3 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

gender gaps in holding Computerized National Identity gender-disaggregated data for identifying priorities,
Cards (CNICs) prevail in both the rural and urban defining and monitoring key indicators, and allocating
areas in all the provinces. Gender-based harassment, dedicated funds for gender-responsive initiatives.
sexual violence, and online violence/ cyberbullying are The findings of the NRSW will help advocate and
becoming increasingly common against women in the implement laws, policies, strategies and budgets that
political sphere, restricting them from participating can promote and speed up women’s socio-economic
actively. and political empowerment, and prevent and respond
to violence against women and girls. Such work,
Overall, the report finds both progress towards
especially in coordinated and complementary actions,
gender equality in certain areas and persistent
may catalyze a more inclusive and sustainable path
challenges restricting women and girls from being
toward development and empowerment.
truly empowered. Evidence-based policymaking
requires the necessary support of reliable and updated

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 4

 II - PROGRESS TOWARDS
INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS

“We must shape a world free from exploitation and maltreatment of women. A world in which
women have opportunities to rise to the highest level in politics, business, diplomacy, and other
spheres of life. Where there are no battered women. Where honor and dignity are protected in war
and conflict. Where we have economic freedom and independence. Where we are equal partners in
peace and development.”

Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, at the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995, Beijing, China

Pakistan has played a pivotal role in developing (GSP) Plus, which gives the country preferential trade
international human rights mechanisms and has been terms.
actively implementing and reporting on them. Since
The country is a signatory to the International
its independence in 1947, Pakistani delegations have
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article
actively advocated for an emphasis on freedom,
3 of which requires parties to “Ensure the equal right
equality, and choice on many platforms, including
of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and
UDHR, and BPfA, and several strong and capable
political rights set forth in the present Covenant.” The
women have represented it. Currently, Pakistan is party
other commitments include the Stockholm Declaration
to seven international human rights treaties of which
and Agenda for Action against Commercial Sexual
four comprehensively cover gender equality, namely
Exploitation of Children (1996), the International
UDHR, CEDAW, CRC, and SDGs (Table 1). In addition,
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
the country has ratified several other conventions as
Discrimination (1966), and particularly the Millennium
part of its move toward retaining its status under the
Development Goals (2000-14) and Sustainable
European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences
Development Goals (2015-30).

5 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Table 1: Key International Commitments of Pakistan

Human Rights-Related Commitments

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 1948

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) 1966

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1987

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1990

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 1996

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 2004

Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) 2006

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 2008

Sustainable Development Agenda 2015

Labor Related Commitments

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87) 1951

Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) 1952

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) 1960

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) 1961

Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999 (No. 182) 2001

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) 2001

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) 2006

These international instruments place responsibility Drafted by representatives with different legal and
on a country to safeguard women’s rights and offer cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, it
guiding principles for the country’s sustainable set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to
development. This section of the report explores be universally protected. The Declaration was adopted
the country’s progress under various treaties and by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10th December
commitments. 1948 during its 183rd plenary meeting.4 Pakistan was
amongst the first group of countries in the United
Nations (UN) to sign the Universal Declaration of
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is Women delegates from various countries played a
a milestone document in the history of human rights. crucial role in getting women’s rights included in the

4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights https://www.ohchr.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights#:~:text=The%20Universal%20

Declaration%20of%20Human%20Rights%20(UDHR)%20is%20a%20milestone,rights%20to%20be%20universally%20protected

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 6

 Declaration. Hansa Mehta of India is widely credited are taken into account when reviews are finalized for
with changing the phrase “All men are born free and each member state.
equal” to “All human beings are born free and equal”
Pakistan presented its 4th Cycle UPR to the Human
in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights Council on 30th January 2023.6 Before that,
Rights. Begum Shaista Ikramullah, the first female
Pakistan’s last UPR took place in 2017-18. The
representative of the first Constituent Assembly of
High Commissioner for Human Rights appreciated
Pakistan, who also served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to
establishing an institutional structure, mainly the
Morocco and was a vocal delegate at various forums
Ministry of Human Rights, to support the rights agenda.7
of the United Nations of Pakistan participated as a
He also encouraged Pakistan to set up a comprehensive
delegate to the General Assembly’s Third Committee
reporting system and comply with human rights treaty
on social, humanitarian and cultural matters, which
obligations. Member countries had some specific
in 1948 spent 81 meetings discussing the draft of the
suggestions concerning women’s rights.8 Progress on
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She played a
implementation against the recommendations is given
crucial role in advocating for the Declarations emphasis
in Annex A, along with the status of implementation.
on freedom, equality, and choice. She championed
The key areas of improvement are listed below:
the inclusion of Article 16, on equal rights in marriage,
which she saw as a way to combat child marriage and a) The National Gender Database Portal (NGDP) has
forced marriage. She was featured among women
5 been established.
who shaped the UDHR at an exhibition at the UN to b) The government(s), national and provincial, are
mark its 70th anniversary and her contributions were proceeding with staffing of the Commissions on
acknowledged by the Secretary General António the Status of Women.
Guterres in his remarks at the opening ceremony. c) Domestic violence legislation is now in place in all
The UDHR is a common standard of achievement to provinces.
assure the provision of the essential rights and freedoms d) Pakistan is moving towards universal health
mentioned in the Declaration. Article 2 of the UDHR insurance.
asserts that everyone is entitled to fundamental human e) Pakistan has provisions for ensuring the
rights and freedoms without distinction based on sex. representation of women at all levels of
Other provisions of the Declaration that are significant government, as well as legislation on ensuring the
for women include: marriage shall be entered into with inheritance and property rights of women.
free and full consent (Article 16); everyone has a right to
f) Legal reforms have been enacted to remove
hold property (Article 17); motherhood and childhood
the lacunae, which enabled honor crimes to be
are entitled to special care and assistance (Article 25).
pardoned.
From 2006 onwards, all member countries of the UN
Pakistan was encouraged to set up a comprehensive
submit a Universal Periodic Review (or UPR) to the
reporting system and follow-up for human rights treaty
Human Rights Council of the UN, detailing actions
obligations to continue the efforts. About specific
taken to promote human rights in their respective
recommendations related to women, Pakistan was
jurisdictions. Reports submitted by governments,
urged to scale up initiatives and mechanisms to protect
along with those prepared by NGOs, as well as reports
women against violence and implement legislation to
from reputed international human rights organizations,
eliminate all forms of violence against women.

5. Women who shaped the Universal Declaration https://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/assets/pdf/Women%20who%20shaped%20

the%20UDHR.pdf
6. https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/pk-index
7. Letter of the High Commissioner to the Foreign Minister. Accessible at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/PKindex.aspx
8. Matrix of Recommendations. Accessible at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/PKindex.aspx

7 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA): perfectly formed child. As we gather here today, the

The Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) cries of the girl child reach out to us.” She advocated

Convened in Beijing, China, in September 1995. for the protection of women from domestic violence

During the conference, Delegates deliberated on and and war. Additionally, she highlighted the importance

endorsed the Beijing Declaration and Platform for of educating girls and women, connecting it to their

Action. Additionally, they received statements and ability to work, which she saw as essential for achieving

commitments from member States, outlining their economic independence.9

efforts to advance equality, development, and peace The country signed the Beijing Declaration the same
for women worldwide. year, committing achieving the 12 areas delineated

Pakistan lent strong support for the development of in the BPfA. The National Plan of Action of 1998, the

the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action under first comprehensive agenda for GEWE in Pakistan,

the leadership of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, focused on these 12 areas. Pakistan undertook a

who was accorded the status of a special guest and review of progress in 2019, as listed in Table 2. The

emphasized in her speech “To please her husband, government has recently taken several initiatives

a woman wants a son. To keep her husband from and placed mechanisms for safeguarding human

abandoning her, a woman wants a son. Sadly, in many rights, eliminating racial discrimination, and providing

cases, when a woman expects a girl, she abets her social safety nets targeting the most vulnerable and

husband in abandoning or aborting that innocent, marginalized [1].

Table 2: Summary of progress against Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA)

Critical Area Progress

Inclusive • Strengthened/ enforced laws, policies and practices that prohibit discrimination in
development, the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women in public and private sectors,
shared prosperity, • Developed legislative framework for equal pay and the provision of safe and enabling
and decent work workplaces.

• Promoted women’s access to decent work through active labor market policies and
targeted measures.
• Broadened access to land, housing, finance, technology, and/ or agricultural
extension services. Introduced or strengthened social protection programmes for
Poverty eradication,
women and girls.
social protection,
• Promoted women’s access to health services through the expansion of universal
and social services
health coverage.
• Undertook measures to increase girls’ access to, retention in, and completion of
education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and skills
development.

9. https://www.feministsforlife.org/feminists-remember-remarkable-pro-life-woman-former-prime-minister-benazir-bhutto/

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 8

 Table 2: Summary of progress against Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA)

• Introduced or strengthened laws and strategies to prevent violence against women

and girls and respond to cases of violence.
Freedom from
• Introduced or strengthened services for survivors of violence.
violence, stigma,
• Implemented awareness-raising initiatives targeting the general public and young
and stereotypes
women and men in educational settings
• Promoted positive representation of women in the media

Participation, • Collected and analyzed data on women’s political participation, including in

accountability, and appointed and elected positions.
gender-responsive • Staffed and funded the Ministry of Human Rights and Commissions on the Status of
institutions Women.

• Adopted and/ or implemented a National Action Plan on women, peace, and security.
• Supported inclusive and gender-sensitive conflict analysis, early warning, and
Peaceful and
prevention mechanisms.
inclusive societies
• Used communication strategies, including social media, to increase awareness on
the peace and security agenda.

Environmental
conservation, • Promoted access of women in situations of disaster to services such as relief
protection, and payments, disaster insurance, and compensation
rehabilitation

Pakistan undertook a review in 2019 and the following General Assembly, it is an international bill of women’s
areas were noted for improvement: rights. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles,
it defines what constitutes discrimination against
1) Inclusive development, shared prosperity and
women and sets up an agenda for national action to
decent work;
end such discrimination. The Convention provides the
2) Poverty eradication, social protection and
basis for realizing equality between women and men
services;
through ensuring women’s equal access to, and equal
3) Freedom from violence, stigma, and stereotypes; opportunities in, political and public life, including
4) Participation, accountability, and gender- the right to vote and to stand for elections, as well as
responsive institutions; and education, health and employment.
5) Peaceful and inclusive societies. Countries that have ratified or acceded to the
Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into
practice. States parties agree to take all appropriate
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of measures, including legislation and temporary special
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): measures, so women can enjoy all their human rights
CEDAW is the flagship global treaty on women’s and fundamental freedoms. They have to submit
rights and has increasingly come to define national national reports, at least every four years, on measures
women’s development agendas globally, particularly they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.
in developing countries. Adopted in 1979 by the UN Pakistan ratified CEDAW on 12 April 1996, 17 years after

9 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

it was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. involve tackling issues more commonly associated
A compliance report and two subsequent periodic with another.
reports were due within a year but could not be
Pakistan is committed to the 2030 Agenda for
produced. The country submitted its combined initial,
Sustainable Development, as it was one of the first
second and third periodic report in 2005 that reported
countries to endorse it globally in 2015. In February
progress on gender equality, political participation, and
2016, the Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs
opportunities for education, health and employment,
as the national development agenda. It also formed
among others. The latest report submitted by Pakistan
the Parliamentary SDGs Secretariat based at the
was the fifth periodic report in 2018, which gave an
National Assembly, one of the few countries globally
updated position on reforms and actions undertaken
to do so. This process of legislation was the first
in compliance with the treaty. Annex B summarizes
and crucial step in mainstreaming and localizing the
information provided in the periodic report [2].
SDGs.10 However, Pakistan still needs to catchup in the
The CEDAW Committee gave its concluding implementation of the SDG targets, according to the
observations on the report in March 2020, requesting Sustainable Development Report, a global assessment
the government of Pakistan to submit a follow-up of countries’ progress towards achieving the SDGs,
report to the selected concluding observations within which is a complement to the official SDG indicators
two years: and the voluntary national reviews. Pakistan is ranked
at 125 out of 163 countries in this report.11
1) Adopt legislation to criminalize all forms of GBV
against women without exemptions; The government prepared a National SDGs
2) Adopt a national plan of action to combat all forms Framework in 2018 under the aegis of the Ministry of
of GBV against women, with a particular focus on Planning, Development, and Reforms, which specified
domestic violence; the national baselines on priority SDG indicators,
proposed targets for 2030, and indicated the policy
3) Ensure the effective enforcement of the Prevention
support required [3]. All the provinces are on board
of Trafficking in Persons Act and the Prevention of
with mainstreaming, localizing, and implementing of
Smuggling of Migrants Act; and
the 2030 SDGs Agenda. Overall, the SDG units, both
4) Enact legislation and take all necessary measures
at the federal and provincial levels, aim to implement
to increase girl’s enrolment and reduce their
four interlinked, mutually reinforcing outputs:
dropout rate.
(i) plans, policies and resource allocations are
aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

Sustainable Development Goals (ii) monitoring, reporting and evaluation capacities

are strengthened.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or the
Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end (iii) financing flows are increasingly aligned with the
poverty, protect the planet, and ensure all human 2030 Agenda.
beings enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals (iv) piloting innovative approaches to accelerate
build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), progress.
including new areas such as climate change, economic
Sustainable Development Goal 5, which concerns
inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace
gender equality, reiterates many of the points already
and justice, among other priorities. The goals are
raised in CEDAW, including the need to eliminate
interconnected – often, the key to success on one will
gender discrimination, abolish harmful practices such

10. https://www.sdgpakistan.pk/web/sdgs
11. https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/pakistan

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 10

 as child marriage and trafficking of women, guarantee commitments.
women access to services and markets, and ensure
On the legislative and policy front, the past two decades
women’s full participation in economic and political
have witnessed the promulgation of numerous laws to
life. Against this goal, the Sustainable Development
improve the legal framework for protecting the rights
Report found that the major challenges remain the
of the marginalized, including women, children and
same and the score stagnates or increases at less than
minorities and responding to violations. The National
50% of the required rate.
Gender Policy Framework at the federal level, and
For SDG 5, required policy support includes legal and GEWE Policy Frameworks and Implementation Plans
administrative actions to enforce laws for women’s in each province,12 also substantiate the work done in
protection and reduce violence against women, job this direction.
quotas in the government and non-government
At the executive level, the government has established
sectors, and provision of basic services to facilitate
dedicated institutes to implement and monitor the
women’s participation in socio-economic spheres.
treaty laws at federal and sub-national levels. These
Most of the issues and measures were already
include statutory bodies like National Human Rights
highlighted in the CEDAW periodic reports and
Institutions (NHRIs) and executive bodies like SDG
response to the Beijing Platform for Action. Still, the
Units and Treaty Implementation Cells.
country requires continuous and concerted efforts to
implement the legislation, align policy coherence and The rights of other marginalized segments have also
ensure strong coordination among the horizontal and received attention. For example, the Transgender
vertical governmental tiers. Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 was enacted
to provide equal rights to transgender people and to
Summary safeguard their rights through legal recognition and
The country has made substantial strides on the prohibiting discrimination and harassment. This includes
international front, especially in developing a robust enabling transgender people to obtain identification
legislative and policy framework. Pakistan also documentation and change their gender in the National
holds the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus Database & Registration Authority (NADRA).
(GSP+) status, under which the country is assessed
While these initiatives indicate a positive course of
for implementing 32 UN Conventions to continue
Pakistan’s efforts in protecting and promoting human
to avail of the GSP+ facility. Ultimately, empowering
rights, a lot more needs to be done, especially to
women and girls, through realizing their human rights
ensure the effective implementation of the legislative
and unlocking their full potential are essential for
and policy frameworks and smooth functioning of the
meeting both Pakistan’s national and international
institutional structures.

12. https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2021/01/provincial-gender-equality-womens-empowerment-policies-nd-
gender-responsive-budgeting

11 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

III - OVERVIEW AND
SCOPE OF THE REPORT
This National Report on the Status of Women has representation and political participation at all
been developed jointly by NCSW and UN Women. It is levels;
based on the initial data entry in the NGDP, interviews, • Violence against women and access to justice and
and consultations with key government and civil services;
society stakeholders to augment its analysis further.
• Health and nutrition conditions;
The report aims to accelerate progress on women’s
• Social protection initiatives in the country for
issues by providing comprehensive analysis of the
women’s wellbeing and eradication of poverty; and
current situation, help policy and decision-makers to
plan and implement the most needed and impactful • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s
interventions. The introduction briefly describes lives.
the Pakistan’s recent submissions to international
organizations (such as CEDAW) and their reception by
said organizations and reports by civil society sources National Gender Data Portal (NGDP)
such as NGOs and organizations such as the NCSW A central component of the work of the NCSW is
and UN Women. The robust data collected from the to undertake and encourage research and data
country and, the diversity of literature reviewed, and generation and analysis as an evidence base for
stakeholders and experts consulted provide a multi- policies, action and monitoring. As part of this effort,
faceted overview of progress vis-à-vis women’s rights the NCSW, in collaboration with UN Women, has
in Pakistan. developed the NGDP to collect information and data

Specifically, the NRSW highlights the situation of on gender indicators at a national level. The impetus

Pakistani women concerning the following aspects in for this initiative came from a recommendation

particular: proposed and endorsed at the 14th Meeting of the Inter

Provincial Ministerial Group (IPMG) held in October
• The environment that shapes and influences girls’ 2019. The data is collected, analyzed and disseminated
and women’s lives, including factors that can using dynamic digital tools in order to inform and
enhance their well-being and empowerment; align policies and programs for advancing the gender
• The spectrum of women’s economic empowerment, equality and women’s empowerment agenda in the
i.e., education and skills, labor force participation, country. The thematic framework and indicators of
formal and informal employment, paid and unpaid the NGDP, covering 10 themes and more than 400
work, vulnerable employment, and wage gaps; indicators, are fully aligned with targets set by CEDAW,
• Access to information and communication the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), and SDGs
technology (ICT) and financial inclusion; to support monitoring and reporting on Pakistan’s
international commitments.
• Women’s involvement in decision-making,

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 12

 The NGDP aims to fill data gaps at a national level, Social and Living Measurement Survey (PSLM) 2019-
particularly in parts of the country where systematic 20, Household Integrated Economics Survey (HIES)
data collection methods for women and girls are weak. 2017-18, Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS) 2020-
The data is collected, analyzed and disseminated 21, Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS)
using dynamic tools to inform and align policies 2017-18, provincial Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys
and programs to advance the gender equality and (MICS), Census 2017-18 and many others. It maps
women’s empowerment agenda in the country. It will out women’s opportunities and obstacles and draws
also be instrumental for monitoring and reporting on concrete policy recommendations for improving their
gender issues and doing analyses over time to present lives.
an accurate picture of the situation, as well as progress
The analysis carried out in the report is guided by
achieved and challenges that persist to guide targeted
the women’s economic empowerment framework, as
interventions in areas that need them most.
detailed in Figure 1. Economic empowerment combines
the two interrelated and mutually reinforcing aspects
of ‘economic advancement’ and ‘agency.’ The former
Objectives of the Report considers that women need skills and resources to
This report aims to provide an analytical and statistical compete in markets and equal access to economic
profile of the status of women in Pakistan based on opportunities and institutions. The latter states that
official and most updated data collected from across women must have the ability to make and act on
the country. The specific objectives of the NRSW decisions and control resources and profits.
include:
Economic gains stimulate women’s access to and
• to develop a comprehensive profile of women in control over resources, ultimately improving their and
the shifting landscape of Pakistan that provides their family’s well-being. Two supporting factors are
for its national and international commitments and crucial to achieving women’s economic empowerment:
progress made against them; resources (both individual and community), and norms
and institutions.
• to highlight opportunities and obstacles towards
women’s participation, empowerment and • Women need resources, whether individual
development; and or community, to succeed. Resources can be
monetary or financial but can also take other forms
• to provide evidence and recommendations for
such as those needed to enhance human capital
action and advocacy by relevant stakeholders
(e.g., education, skills, training), social capital (e.g.,
(government, civil society, and international
networks, mentors), or physical capital (e.g., land,
partners) that can influence and advance gender
machinery).
equality and women’s empowerment.
• Norms and institutions organize social and
economic relations and influence how resources
Methodology of the Report are distributed and used. Norms include gender-
The NRSW pulls together secondary data from different defined roles, taboos, restrictions, and expectations
national and sub-national sources, as compiled in such as whether or not it is appropriate for women
the NGDP, as well as findings from qualitative and to be in public spaces, hold certain types of jobs,
quantitative studies, to outline a composite profile of or manage money. Institutions include legal and
the status of women in Pakistan. In addition, various policy structures, economic systems, market
micro datasets are used in the analysis including the structures, marriage, inheritance, and education
Pakistan Labor Force Survey (LFS) 2020-21, Pakistan systems.

13 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Figure 1: A Framework of Women’s Economic Empowerment

Source: International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW)

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 14

15 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-01

EDUCATION & SKILLS

“Education is the key to our nation’s future. We must invest in our schools, colleges, and
universities to give our youth the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan

Education serves as the bedrock for development between developing and developed nations by ensuring
and is critical for addressing the challenges faced the inclusion and empowerment of all segments of
by the world today. The right to education for all society through education. The underlying target of
citizens is underscored in the Constitution of the SDG 4 is to “ensure inclusive and quality education
Islamic Republic of Pakistan, according to Article 37: for all and promote lifelong learning.” Moreover, the
“education is the fundamental right of every citizen.” targets are thorough in design by incorporating free
and Article 25-A asserts “the State shall provide free and accessible education for girls and boys until the
and compulsory education to all children of the age secondary level and focusing on investment in quality
of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be teaching, skill-oriented education, and curriculum
determined by law.” Moreover, Pakistan launched the development to ensure quality outcomes [5].
National Plan of Action (1998) in continuation of the
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2017 aims to
Beijing Declaration based on twelve crucial areas for
enhance educational outcomes and rectify critical
action related to women, notably on education, health,
issues identified by Vision 2025, such as low public
economy, poverty, violence, and the environment,
expenditure on education, poor female enrollment
among others.
and literacy levels, and high student-to-teacher ratio
Pakistan has ratified several international commitments [6]. For instance, NEP 2017 enshrines education up to
that bind the state to ensure an inclusive and the secondary level (Grade 10) for all, ensuring gender
accessible education system at various levels and parity, increasing enrollment and literacy levels,
offer quality learning without discrimination for both and reducing rural/ urban disparities in educational
sexes. Article 10 of CEDAW [4] on “equal rights to facilities and infrastructure. The policy also includes
all aspects of education” explicitly emphasizes girls’ programs to enhance the literacy of girls and women
and women’s right to comprehensive and complete in rural areas and to train women in non-traditional
education, including measures to increase girls’ access trades.
to education and reduce dropouts.
Despite above commitments, the country has
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also been facing challenges achieving universal primary
emphasize bridging the gap in the living standards education [7]. On top of the pre-existing barriers to

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 16

 ensuring access to quality education for all. After the previous year) [12].
the 18 th
Constitutional Amendment, Pakistan also
Education is decisive in forming human capital, which
finds itself struggling to synergize the federal and
is necessary for progress and development. With an
provincial education policies to harness the potential
overwhelmingly young population, approximately
of its youth [8]. As a result, an estimated 22.8 million
two-thirds of the population is under 30 years of age,
children (aged 5-16 years) in Pakistan are out-of-
and 45% under 18,13 Pakistan is clearly at a critical
school children (OOSC) [9], and the dropout rates are
crossroads, where a lot can be achieved if this area
alarming, especially for girls.
receives concerted attention and adequate financial
Several supply-side challenges hinder the participation allocations.
and retention of children in school, particularly for
girls [9]. Chief among these challenges is insufficient
resource allocation by the federal and provincial 1.1. Literacy and Enrolment
governments, resulting in a lack of basic educational Literacy Rate and Gender Gap
infrastructure and facilities. Accessibility is another
Pakistan adopts a loose definition of literacy, bypassing
issue, particularly in the rural and remote areas.
two critical components – numeracy and life skills. The
On the demand side, socio-cultural barriers significantly National Census 1998 counted anyone 10 years or older
influence girls’ lower participation and high dropout as literate if they can “read a newspaper and write a
rates. The literature highlights various contributing simple letter in any language.” The literacy rate (aged
constraints, including poverty, safety and mobility [10], 10 and above) has shown a promising upward trend
early marriages, and negative gender stereotypes, over the last two decades; however, gender disparities
including son preference [11]. persist (Figure 2). With an overall increase in the
literacy rate from 45% in 2001-02 to 60% in 2019-20,
This situation is reflected in Pakistan’s ranking in the
female literacy has significantly improved from 32% to
Global Gender Gap Index 2023, which gave it a score
49%, yet it has not been able to catch up with the male
of 0.825 in educational attainment, placing it 138 out
literacy rate of 70%.
of 146 countries in this indicator (dropping from 135 in

Figure 2: Literacy rate (aged 10+) over time

Source: Various rounds of PSLM

13. PDHS 2017-18

17 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Strong commitment, significant planning, and adequate trends in education are improving for the girl children of
resource allocation are required to improve access to today compared to two decades ago.15
education, particularly in remote and rural areas, to
Overall, the gender parity score in literacy improved
overcome gender gaps in literacy rates. The situation
[14]. Differences still prevail across rural and urban
varies considerably over provinces; Punjab has a 57%
areas, but the gap is narrowed down. During 2001 to
female literacy rate, almost double Balochistan at 29%
2020 period, the female literacy rate in rural areas
(Figure 3).14

Figure 3: Literacy rate (aged 10+) by province

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Young women’s literacy rate showed relatively incredible improved from 21 to 39%, whereas it increased from
progress, as it rose from 46 to 61% compared to 72 to 56 to 67% in urban areas. Urban centers, especially in
77% for young men [13]. The age-specific literacy rate Punjab and Sindh provinces, have comparatively less
shows that for younger-aged female groups, the literacy gender disparity (Figure 4). The analysis suggests
rate is higher compared to older-aged females, and a strong policy focus in Balochistan and Khyber
the gender gap is also lower for age groups between Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces, where gender parity is
10 to 24 years; however, the gap rises as we move to below even 0.5.
respondents from older age cohorts. It reveals that the

Figure 4: Gender parity in youth (aged 15-29) literacy rate by province

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

14. See detailed results on literacy rate across provinces, region and sex in Annex Tables 1.1 & 1.2
15. See detailed results in Annex Table 1.3 for age cohorts and youth literacy rates across provinces in Annex Table 1.4

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 18

 Educational Attainment and youth, and it plays a decisive role in overcoming
Stark gender variations exist among adults, youth, gender differences, as noted in this study. Affordability
and children regarding the status of having ever is one of the major factors that can enable or prevent
attended school at the national level, as seen in Figure children from obtaining an education - both for boys
5. A staggering 53% of females (aged 15-64 years) and girls. Parents often prefer to educate their sons
reported never attending school, compared to 33% rather than daughters in case of poor financial capacity.
of males in the same age cohort. While the numbers Further, girls face more restrictions, including parental
are not particularly good, there is a positive trend, permission, safety and security, and other facilities in
especially among the young cohort (aged 15-29 years) the school premises, transport, and school distance
and children (aged 5-15 years).16 As compared to 53% are additional factors hindering young females’
of females aged 15-64 having never attended school, education.17 Not surprisingly, the gap diminishes for
for girls 5-15 years old, this figure is 31%. children belonging to the wealthiest households,
where the majority (96%) of children (both girls and
The household’s economic status is a key factor
boys) are currently enrolled (Table 3).
regarding access to formal education for children

Figure 5: School attendance by age range (%)

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

16. See detailed results in Annex Tables 1.5 & 1.6 across provinces for child and youth.
17. See detailed results in Annex Table 1.7 across gender

19 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Table 3: Quintile wise school attendance status of children & youth (%)

Female Male
Wealth Quintile Never Currently Never Currently
Drop-out Drop-out
Attended Attending Attended Attending

Children (aged 5-15)

Poorest 70 3 27 50 3 47

Poor 36 6 58 24 5 71

Middle 13 7 80 11 5 84

Rich 3 5 92 3 4 93

Richest 2 3 95 1 3 96
Youth (aged 15-29)

Poorest 91 8 1 61 29 10

Poor 73 22 5 43 42 15

Middle 43 44 13 20 58 22

Rich 10 63 27 6 64 30

Richest 2 63 35 2 60 38
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Net Enrolment Rate (NER) as the level of education increases. While urban areas
The NER of girls and boys at primary, middle, and perform better, the rural girl child faces challenges at
secondary levels across regions, depicted in Figure all the levels. The NER for girls in Balochistan is the
6, shows that girls are consistently lower than boys at lowest in all the educational levels, especially in rural
all educational levels. The gender gap in the NER falls areas.18

Figure 6: Net Enrolment Rate by education & rural/ urban (%)

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

18. See detailed results in Annex Table 1.8 across provinces

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 20

 The reasons for not achieving universal primary 1.2. Access to Vocational/ Skill Training
education are multiple, including financial constraints, Technical or vocational skill development is considered a
cultural norms and practices, inadequate school critical element for the development of human capital and
infrastructure and safe transport facilities, and security the progress of a nation. It also plays a pivotal role in the career
concerns, to name a few. Among all the problems, progression of individuals, enabling them to contribute to
poverty is paramount, especially in the last couple of their financial empowerment as well as sustainable growth
years when COVID-19, 2022 floods in interior Sindh and development. Pakistan is a fairly young society, with
and ongoing hyperinflation have been causing unusual almost two-thirds of its population under age 30 years, and
economic stresses on families. As per the United Nations providing quality training and capacity building for such a
Development Programme (UNDP), an additional nine large segment of society is a challenging task, especially
million people are at risk of being pushed into the given the state’s scarce resources and capacity constraints.
state of poverty on top of the 33 million affected by The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
the 2022 devastating floods in Pakistan, with 8 million sector is mostly neglected and subject to low fund allocations
still homeless as of January 2023.19 Access to school by successive governments. Although the provinces have
and the quality of school infrastructure is another the authority after the 18th Constitutional Amendment and
big challenge despite of various policy initiatives, are working to improve the TVET sector in their respective
i.e., school nutritional packages, stipends for girls, jurisdictions, the sector is currently needs to fully cater to
conditional cash transfers, advocacy by NGOs, and the huge prospects, especially among the youth who would
capacity building by development partners. Around benefit significantly from such programs.
72% of females have schools at distances within 2
Secondly, capacity constraints such as a low number
kilometers (per round trip). Nevertheless, there are
of institutes and teachers, especially in rural areas [15],
variations for young women compared to girls (aged
further inhibit the chances of accruing desired benefits
5-15 years), where 79% of girls’ schools are within
from ongoing interventions (Table 4).
2km (round trip). Still only 44% of the young women
reported that their school/ educational institution was
within 2km.20 Table 4: Number of TVET institutes by province/
region

Province/
Learning Poverty Female Male Co-Ed Total
Region
The 2021 ASER Report shows that children
National 1,123 2,035 582 3,740
have been facing a crisis of learning—a serious
threat for improving cognitive, social, emotional ICT 38 67 13 118
and physical development. Only 15% of grade 3 Balochistan 41 95 15 151
children could read a story in some language.
KP 223 509 41 773
Only 20% of grade 3 children were able to solve
grade 2 level division. The gender comparison Punjab 517 880 275 1,672

reveals that boys outperform girls (age 5-16 Sindh 164 359 194 717
overall) in literacy and numeracy skills. AJ&K 47 71 17 135

GB 93 54 27 174
Source: National Skills Information System (NSIS) survey of 2016-17

18. See detailed results in Annex Table 1.8 across provinces

19. Pakistan floods: 9 million more risk being pushed into poverty, https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132207
20. Detailed results in Annex Tables 1.9 & 1.10 across gender and region

21 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

The TVET sector faces challenges related to unclear The low participation of women, in particular, can be
roles and responsibilities of the federal and provincial attributed to both supply-side challenges (i.e., lack of
governments, leading to inefficient use of resources adequate and accessible facilities and opportunities
and duplication of interventions. Further, there needs to acquire formal education for women, including
to be more ownership as a tilt can be seen towards limited TVET institutions as mentioned earlier) as well
higher education compared to vocational training [16]. as demand-side (socio-cultural constructs, attitudes
In response to this situation, the National Vocational and practices) [17]. The other reasons include their
and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) limited labor force participation, lack of decent job
devised the National “Skill for All” Strategy 2019 [16], opportunities, and limited entrepreneurial activities.
introducing eight target interventions to improve the
TVET sector and enhance contributions for gaining
Prime Minister’s Youth Skill
maximum benefits for the youth and the economy.
Development Programme
As per NAVTTC, 0.5 million students were enrolled in
The Prime Minter’s Youth Skill Development
TVET institutes in 2021 with a gender distribution of
Programme (PMYSDP) is the vehicle of change
33% female and 67% male students.
to empower youth, particularly girls. Under
PMYSDP, trainings are being conducted in high-
Figure 7: Youth (aged 15-29) who received or are
tech, high-end and digital technologies, enabling
currently part of training by rural/ urban & sex (%)
youth to excel in this industrial revolution era.
The training covers both conventional and
non-conventional skills including advanced
electronics, Artificial Intelligence, office
automation, internet, robotics, and innovation in
traditional trades.

1.3. Not in Education, Employment or

Training (NEET)
The NEET rate is a relatively more comprehensive
measure to ascertain the proportion of youth not
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21
engaging in any educational, learning, or economic
activity. Literature suggests that young people (aged
The demand side is another challenge, as there is more
15-24 years) who were neither part of employment,
demand for formal education at higher secondary and
education or training were more likely to end up
university levels than vocational skills. For example,
unemployed or employed with a meager wage/
compared to 0.5 million enrolments in TVET institutes,
income [18].
2.5 million youth enrolled in intermediate colleges, 0.8
million in degree collages, and more than 2 million The NEET rate reflects the fraction of youth (aged
in universities in 2021.21 A lower percentage of youth 15-24 years) currently not in education, employment,
receives vocational trainings in rural and urban areas or training (Figure 8). Data shows that 75% of young
(Figure 7).22 women (aged 15-24 years) are currently not part of

21. For details, please see Pakistan Economic Survey 2021-22

22. For adults and provincial results, see details in Annex Tables 1.11 & 1.12

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 22

 Figure 8: NEET Rate of youth (aged 15-24) by province & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

any formal education or learning activity, and there is rate provides a measure of educated individuals who
a sizeable gap between females and males in Pakistan have successfully overcome the hurdles and secured
[19] – as many as 81% of young females as compared employment in the labor market. It is important to
to 42% of young males are not currently employed. understand academic and industrial linkages as well as
On training, 91% of young women never attended any the ease with which an individual can find a job, which
technical or vocational training or short course.23 in turn can provide them with economic empowerment
and autonomy.
The high NEET rate of youth (ages 15-24 years) in
Pakistan reflects multiple challenges they face in Only 16% of adults (aged 18 and above) have higher
education and employment, including the transition secondary (Grade 12) and above education in Pakistan.
from education to work – demonstrating neglect Among these, 60% were part of the labor force in 2021.
towards the needs of youth, resulting in their exclusion A review of the gender composition reveals that 14%
from productive activities. of adult females (aged 18 and above) have a higher
secondary or above level of education as opposed
to 18% of males. However, a tremendous gender gap
1.4. Transition from Education to Work exists in the transition to the labor market: 30% among
the 14% of adult females who had completed Grade 12
The transition from education to work is vital for career
or above, compared to 83% of adult males who were
progression at the individual level and the nation’s
part of the labor force. The gap in the transition rate at
economic growth collectively. A higher transition
the provincial level is highest in Sindh (Table 5).24

23. For provincial results, see details in Annex Table 1.13

24. For provincial results, see details in Annex Table 1.14.

23 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Table 5: LFPR of population (aged 18+) by education, province & sex (%)

Having Grade 12 & Above Education who

Having Grade 12 & Above Education
Region are part of the Labor Force

Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 14 18 16 30 83 60

Balochistan 5 15 10 36 81 71

KP 10 20 15 49 80 70

Punjab 17 16 17 31 81 55

Sindh 11 23 17 17 86 64
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

The analysis of youth’s educational attainment shows Province Sindh has the highest gender gap in transition
that higher education is already extremely low for both to the labor market, where young men’s transition
females and males, with only 21% having an intermediate rate (79%) was more than four times that of young
or above education. Further, the transition rate of this women’s (17%). There are various reasons for these
demographic uncovers staggering disparities across stark disparities in the transition rate of females in
gender and region. For instance, 31% of young women Pakistan compared to their male counterparts – limited
were part of the labor force compared to 74% of young employment opportunities, weak industry-academia
men with Grade 12 and above education (Figure 9). 25
linkage, low access to information, and mobility
constraints are among the foremost challenges.
Figure 9: Transition rate of youth (aged 18-29) from
The results across urban-rural locations paint an
education to labor force (%)
interesting picture: a higher percentage (43%) of
young women with an intermediate and above level
of education in rural areas compared to urban areas
(22%) transitioned to the labor market. Although not
listed in any table/ figure, there are multiple reasons
for the high transition of females from education to
work in the rural areas, including ‘definitional issues’
of measuring the labor force/employment rate as
the labor force considers economic activity without
weighting the optimal working hours, paid work and
quality of job. One can see in Chapters 3 and 4 that
most of these females shown as employed in rural
areas are engaged in unpaid family work activities and
are facing challenges of underemployment and decent
work.

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21 25. For provincial results, see details in Annex Table 1.15.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 24

 1.5. Annual Education Planning and Budgets The budget allocations for the overall education sector
range between 114% and 18% of the total provincial
The overall dismal performance of the education sector
budgets for the fiscal year 2022-23. The highest
in Pakistan is due to numerous supply and demand side
education expenditures as a percentage of the budget
issues that pose severe challenges in harnessing the
were in KP, and Punjab had the lowest proportion
full potential of the children and youth of the country.
(Figure 11).
The foremost supply-side issue is the need for more
funding for this area from successive governments. Figure 11: Provincial education expenditure as
After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the education % of total budget 2022-23 by province
sector was devolved, which in turn allowed sub-
national governments to devise policies and plans and
allocate funds for this new provincial domain; however,
the allocations are not sufficient to address the gaps,
including lack of infrastructure, qualified teaching staff,
and an outdated academic curriculum.

One of the main reasons for this is the low prioritization

of the education sector, as a result of which provinces
allocate more annual development plan (ADP)
allocations to other areas other than education.
Except for Balochistan (at 40%), all the provinces
have earmarked the development budget for 2022-
23 at 21-27%. The share of education in development
expenditure stands at 8 to 10% across the provinces.
As a result, the sector is bound to face severe issues of
insufficient financing and, thus, sub-optimal facilities,
services, and outcomes (Figure 10). Source: Provincial Budgets 2022-23

Figure 10: Provincial Budgets 2022-23: ADP It is pertinent to mention that these expenditures
share & education share are recurrent and include allocations for current
spending (e.g., remunerations/ salaries, day-to-day
expenses, utilities, contingencies, etc.) and operations
and maintenance (O&M) consume a considerable
share of the budgetary allocations. except for federal
administrated areas, all the provinces utilize around
90% of their education allocations to meet the current
expenditures (Figure 12).

Due to this immense structural constraint, most

educational institutes’ buildings and infrastructure
need regular repair and maintenance to avoid and
deterioration in the medium to long term. The Annual
Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019 documented
the availability (or lack thereof) of basic facilities in
rural and urban schools across Pakistan, highlighting
that gaps still exist concerning safe drinking water,
toilets, boundary walls, electricity, and playgrounds.
Source: Provincial Budgets 2022-23

25 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 12: National and Provincial Education Expenditures in FY 2020-21 (%)

Source: Provincial Budgets 2022-23

Moreover, compared to urban areas, primary schools many areas of the country, predominantly rural and
in the rural periphery of Pakistan are less likely to be remote. It puts a financial burden on their parents
equipped with basic functional facilities.26 and families. The annual educational expenditure
increases correspondingly with the level of education.
School functioning is another big challenge. Across
Across regions, households tend to spend more on
Pakistan, about 30,000 ‘ghost’ public schools continue
the schooling of boys than girls in urban areas, and
to exist only on paper.27 Numbering as high as 11,000
a similar trend is observed in the case of young men
in Sindh, these schools have teachers but no students.
and young women. The median annual expenditure
The ‘ghost’ teachers are getting salaries for which they
against the currently enrolled children shows slight
have no work to show.28
differences across genders, but no sizable variations
In Pakistan, most students study in private schools due have been observed at each level and across provinces
to the lack of accessible and quality public schools in (Table 6).29

26. See infrastructure details in Annex Tables 1.16 & 1.17

27. https://www.dawn.com/news/1681081
28. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2346077/ghost-schools-in-sindh
29. See detailed results across region in Annex Tables 1.18 & 1.19

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 26

 Table 6: Median education expenses in the last year per student (PKR)

Up to Primary Middle
Province
Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 6,000 6,000 6,000 9,300 9,000 9,000

Balochistan 3,500 3,300 3,410 7,000 6,500 6,550

KP 5,600 6,000 5,800 8,000 8,500 8,200

Punjab 6,200 6,500 6,440 9,940 9,240 9,540

Sindh 5,600 5,000 5,100 10,900 9,200 10,000

Matric Intermediate and above

National 14,440 13,240 14,000 32,800 33,000 33,000

Balochistan 11,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 20,000 20,000

KP 12,000 12,000 12,000 25,000 27,500 26,000

Punjab 15,000 14,800 15,000 36,000 40,500 38,500

Sindh 14,200 13,500 14,000 23,000 21,000 22,000

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

The wealth quintile-wise analysis suggests that 7). It is not surprising to observe that expenditures
education spending tends to correspondingly increase, on education for both males and females increase
moving from the poorest to the richest households correspondingly from the poorest to the richest
for both girls and boys. However, the gap between quintiles. Yet the gender gap persists across all wealth
the genders widens in the case of enrolled children quintiles; however, it is almost negligible for poor
(aged 5-15 years) from the richest households (Table households.

Table 7: Median education expenses in the last year per student by wealth quintile (PKR)

Children (5-15 years) Youth (15-29 years)

Province
Female Male Total Female Male Total

Poorest 4,000 4,000 4,000 8,000 10,000 9,800

Poor 4,740 5,000 5,000 10,000 11,500 11,000

Middle 6,000 6,500 6,320 13,000 14,000 14,000

Rich 9,500 10,000 10,000 18,000 19,000 18,700

Richest 16,000 17,500 16,600 30,000 32,000 30,000

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

27 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

A learning crisis prevails in lower and middle-income In sum, quality education is one of the greatest
countries where school-going children cannot read equalizers and significantly enhances human capital
or understand a simple sentence with proficiency. formation in any country. In Pakistan, the limited
In these countries, 53% of children cannot read or access to education for girls compared to boys, and
understand a sentence by age 10. The World Bank inadequate funding and facilities for educational
termed this phenomenon as ‘learning poverty.’ In institutions have led to a severe absence of girls
Pakistan’s context, an astounding 75% of children are from education. Further, gender norms and social
facing the issues of learning poverty [20]. constructs also confound the situation for females in
Pakistan, which has an alarming number of out-of-
school children, most girls, and many schools are not
Single National Curriculum (SNC)
properly equipped to provide a conducive learning
Pakistan has a variety of educational systems environment and quality education. Further, even
(i.e., public, private, NGOs, and Madaris), which with education, a sizable share of female students in
further class differences and are a big hurdle in particular and students in general do not transition to
bringing unity and harmony among the nation. the labor market owing to weak academia-industry
linkages and other structural barriers.
The government introduced a Single National
Curriculum (SNC) to ensure minimum learning The situation is slowly improving, and more parents
standards for students of all grades in all realize the need for education to cover the growing
educational institutes. However, the SNC would costs of living. Over time, the adult and youth female
face a big challenge as it would require having literacy rate and net enrolment rates of girls at various
qualified teachers, better teaching capabilities, levels of education have improved substantially; this is
and promoting an enabling school environment, also linked to the demographics and fertility patterns
especially in the public sector. There is an of the country. In previous decades, with high levels
apprehension that to achieve uniformity, the of infant mortality, parents would choose to have
better-quality private schools would have to more children to ensure the survival of a few at least.
lower their standards to come to par with the Currently, with the improving health situation and
public schools. Another challenge would be declining in fertility rates, parents are opting to have
mainstreaming the Madaris as they have their fewer children and invest in their education. Programs
own vision and agenda for education imparted such as BISP, which provide social security to women
to their students. and incentivize girls’ education will also make changes
in the long term. It is yet to be seen how the recent
humanitarian crises of COVID-19, floods of 2022 and
ongoing inflation will impact this upward trend.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 28

29 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-02

EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMIC

EMPOWERMENT
“Women need opportunity and encouragement. If a girl can climb mountains, she can do anything
positive within her field of work.”
Samina Baig, Mountaineer

2.1. Labor Force Participation The Pakistan Labor Force Survey (LFS) classifies “labor
force” as all individuals aged 10 years and above who
Economic empowerment is among the most
were (a) employed for at least one hour in the week
important indicators when assessing the status of
preceding the interview and (b) unemployed, and
women in a society. This variable ensures access to
available for work, or actively searching for a job during
education, health, and civic amenities, influencing
the reference week. The labor force to total population
the living standards of individuals, households, and
ratio is termed as crude labor force participation rate
entire communities. Women’s economic participation
(LFPR), and refined LFPR is classified as labor force
enhances their income [21] and is associated with
to total population (aged 10 years and above). For the
many positive outcomes related to better health and
analysis, this section uses refined LFPR.
lower domestic abuse [22].
In Pakistan, there has been a gradual albeit slow
Pakistan’s Vision 2025 lays down a foundation to set
increase in women’s labor force participation. The
Pakistan on a fast development track with the ultimate
increase has occurred more in the informal sector, while
goal of transforming it into one of the world’s top ten
LFPR in the formal sector has remained more or less
economies by 2047.30 The country can only achieve this
stagnant over the past decade. Weak gender-related
goal if half of its population is allowed opportunities for
indicators continue to cause for concern in this area, as
economic participation. The SDGs also stress the need
the potential of almost half of the country’s population
for decent employment and an enabling environment
remains unrealized, making the country’s performance
without discrimination by the member states to
lag behind others in the region. The lack of women’s
boost inclusive economic growth. Particularly, SDG
participation in Pakistan’s economy is a gender equity
8, i.e., “decent work and economic growth” is entirely
and developmental concern. The economic case for
dedicated to the employment and work opportunities
focusing on women’s economic empowerment is clear:
for citizens of the member countries.
if their participation were at par with men, Pakistan’s
GDP could increase by 60% by 2025.32

30. Pakistan Vision 2025, https://www.pc.gov.pk/uploads/vision2025/Pakistan-Vision-2025.pdf

32. Womenomics: Women powering the economy of Pakistan, UNDP 2021, https://www.undp.org/pakistan/publications/womenomics-women-
powering-economy-pakistan

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 30

 A stable economic growth of the country stimulates discrimination and promote worker’s rights.
accessibility of jobs and decent employment Subsequently, multiple laws and policies aim to fulfill
opportunities. The economic performance of Pakistan these commitments. The positive outcomes of these
in the last two decades is a manifestation of the boom- policies are still awaited as the female LFPR remains
and-bust cycle with overall sluggish and inconsistent the lowest in the region [25]. The Gender Gap Index
GDP growth. The country was performing well in the 2023 reveals that Pakistan ranked 143 out of 146 in
early millennium but went behind due to unstable economic participation and opportunity, with a score
economic growth and inconsistent policies (Figure 13). of 0.362 [26]. The ranking has improved from the

Figure 13: Five-Year average GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2017 international $)

Source: World Development Indicators

With a population of 225 million [23] and against a previous year when it was 143 with a score of 0.331;
backdrop of poor economic performance, Pakistan’s however, much more needs to be done both at the
citizens struggle for decent employment prospects. policy and implementation level. The LFPR of women
Given the high level of gender discrimination and in Pakistan stands significantly below the global rate
inequality coupled with prevalent socio-cultural (by almost half): 20% of women in Pakistan are in the
restrictions and stereotypical gender norms, women labor force compared to 39% globally [25]. It is also low
have even more limited employment prospects that when compared with other middle-income countries.
hinder their active economic participation. Estimates
Historically, there is a considerable gender gap in LFPR
suggest that the world’s advanced economies incurred
between male and female workers. Since 1990, there
a loss of 10% of the GDP due to limited opportunities
has been a 10 percentage point increase in female
and the disenfranchisement of women from the labor
LFPR; currently it is at 21% (Figure 14), slightly below
market. In contrast, in South Asia, the Middle East, and
the average labor force participation in South Asia
North Africa (MENA) region, the estimated losses were
(22%). The latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) 2020-21 has
around 30% of the GDP [24].
dropped the module of marginal activities performed
Pakistan has ratified various labor rights-related mainly by Pakistani women, named as augmented
international commitments to prevent gender labor force.32 It is noteworthy that women in rural areas
mostly performed the marginal activities.

32. These included various agriculture activities, i.e., harvesting, ploughing, transplanting rice, picking cotton, sowing, collection of vegetables & fruit,
weeding, food processing, livestock and poultry raising, construction work, collection of fire-woods or cotton sticks for fire, and bringing water, etc.

31 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 14: LFPR (aged 10+) over time (%)

Source: Various Rounds of LFS

The exclusion of augmented labor force underreports significantly underestimates the participation of
women’s LFPR in the country as the 2018-19 LFS shows women as the major chunk of their time is spent on
that the refined LFPR of females was 22% and the marginal activities. The issue of what constitutes
augmented LFPR was 36% (Figure 15).33 This implies women’s work and the importance of marginal activities
that the traditional approach (work for pay, profit, has been crucial for women’s overall participation and
or gain) to measure women’s economic activities representation in the labor market [27].

Figure 15: Refined and Augmented LFPR of women by province (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2018-19

33. See details in Annex Table 2.1 across provinces

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 32

 Provincial Variations in LFPR Age-specific LFPR

A provincial analysis shows substantial gender Many factors inhibit women’s lower participation,
variations in the labor market. The highest economic including socially constructed gender roles that
participation of women was recorded in Punjab (31%) expect women to serve as caregivers and carry out
and the lowest in Balochistan (14%). Interestingly, a household chores. Young women also face similar sort
higher proportion of women in rural areas (34%) as of challenges.35
compared to urban areas (12%) were economically
The age-specific participation rate sketches trajectories
active (Figure 16).34 One of the possible reasons for
across gender and regions. At younger ages, the male
high female LFPR in rural areas is that women primarily
participation rate increases more rapidly than the
work in agriculture sector, a dominant sector in the
female participation rate (Figure 17). The increase for
rural setting. Other reasons include lack of paid job
females (aged 25-29 years) and onwards is very low
opportunities in rural area, non-availability of decent
(29% for females and 96% for males). The role of cultural
public transport to ease women’s mobility to the urban
constructs related to marriage, fertility, childcare, and
centers, and limited entrepreneurship trends among
domestic chores are at play, where females mostly
women to establish their own business.
concentrate on care and reproductive work and, hence,
have a limited time to participate in economic activities.

Figure 16: Refined LFPR of workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

35. See details in Annex Table 2.3 on youth labor force participation across provinces

33 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 17: Age-specific LFPR of workers by sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Notably, there is a massive gender gap in the participation boys are pushed into the labor market.
rate of females and males across various age cohorts
Sadly, the participation rate of children (aged 10-14)
from ages 20-24 to older age groups, i.e., 55-59 years.36
highlights that a certain percentage of girls and boys
These results highlight that due to negative gender
are working before the age of 15 years, which the
norms in society, girls are held back from participation
Constitution of Pakistan proscribes (Article 11).
in productive economic activities at an early age, while

Table 8: LFPR of children (aged 10-14) by province & sex (%)

National Rural Urban

Province
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 4 5 5 6 7 7 0 3 2

Balochistan 4 8 6 6 10 8 0 3 2

KP 3 7 5 3 7 5 1 4 2

Punjab 6 4 5 9 6 8 0 1 1

Sindh 2 6 4 3 8 6 1 4 3

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

36. See details in Annex Table 2.4 on age specific activity rate across region

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 34

 As observed, 4% of girls and 5% of boys in this age the labor force than never-married workers (Figure
cohort were either employed or actively searching for 18).38 The higher labor force participation among
a job (Table 8). Despite of legislation on child labor, divorced women could be due to their need to earn
they mostly work in the informal sector, making it for themselves and their children, and greater mobility
extremely difficult to curtail it. allowed to them due to their status [28].

LFPR and Marital Status LFPR and Education

The economic participation of workers by marital status Educational attainment is an influential push factor for
illustrates that a higher percentage of male workers, women to participate in productive economic activity.
regardless of marital status, are more economically More than half of the women in the labor force had
active than females.37 The result for never-married no schooling, i.e., 59%, compared to 29% of men. Data
workers shows the highest difference, where only 22% shows that 33% of women in the labor force from
of never-married women were part of the labor force, urban areas had a university degree as compared to
while this percentage was three times higher (66%) only 15% of men. There are visible differences in the
for never-married men. A higher rate of currently distribution of women and men across regions and
married workers (both female and male) were part of genders (Figure 19).

Figure 18: LFPR of Workers (aged 15-64) by Marital Status & Sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

37. See details in Annex Table 2.5 across provinces

38. See details in Annex Table 2.6 across education

35 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 19: Education among economically active women (aged 15-64) (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

The participation rate of workers by education level workers started to pick up at middle level.39 Substantial
chalks out a U-shaped pattern where the LFPR of gender differences with various education levels are
workers with no education was high, and the rate common at national (Figure 20) and provincial levels.40
declined with an increase in the education level from Uneducated and highly educated women have better
primary, middle, and matriculation. Further, women’s labor force participation rates than those with middle
decline in LFPR was noted until the secondary level, or secondary-level education.
and in increase after the secondary level. Whereas male

Figure 20: LFPR of workers (aged 15-64) by education (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

39. See details in Annex Table 2.7 across education for adult women
40. See details in in Annex Table 2.8 across education for young women

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 36

 Interestingly, educated rural young women have a young women with a graduate and above level of
higher LFPR than in urban areas (Figure 21). Although education were part of the labor force compared to
rural areas have limited job opportunities for educated 84% of young men. It is pertinent to mention that of
women, most of them are engaged as teachers or the 48% of young women in the labor force, 54% were
unpaid family workers. employed, and the rest are unemployed, while 84%
of young men’s employment rate stands at 80%. The
Figure 21: LFPR of youth (aged 15-29) with graduate or poor macroeconomic performance of the economy in
above education general, the academia-industry gap, and the digital gap
are at play in this. Thus, women need help finding a job
despite a university degree or requisite qualifications.
Furthermore, restrictions by male household members
also limit women’s labor participation, particularly in
paid jobs outside the home [29].

Analyzing the economically active female workers by

marital status and education level reveals interesting
results. The distribution of never-married women who
were part of the labor force by education level shows
that 39% had never been to school, and 20% were
university graduates (a bachelor’s degree or above
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21
level of education).42 Alternatively, of the women
who were part of the labor force and had a university
The LFPR of youth with different education levels degree, 35% were single, and 62% were currently
depicts significant gender disparities. The LFPR of married. While looking at the distribution of LFPR
young women with no education was almost one- of females with no schooling, only 14% were single
third compared to that of young men: 31% for young (Figure 22). Hence it infers that education significantly
females vs. 91% for young males.41 Overall, 48% of delays the age of marriage among females.

Figure 22: Marital status among economically active women (aged 15-64) by education (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

41. See details in Annex Table 2.9 on youth’s labor force participation by education
42. See details in Annex Table 2.6

37 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

2.2. Employment Status The distribution of employed workers by employment
status reveals that more than half (55%) of employed
Economically, employment provides income to poor
women are unpaid family helpers.44 Although unpaid
families, revives domestic demand for goods and
family workers are not reimbursed, their economic
services, and stimulates overall growth. It provides
efforts increase the household income; therefore,
individuals with the means to support themselves and
they are considered employed. Paid job is the second
their families, while also driving consumer spending
largest category, where employed females have a
and boosting local economies. According to the World
25% concentration (Figure 23). A higher percentage
Bank, every 1% increase in employment leads to a 0.6%
of female workers in rural areas were in unpaid jobs
increase in GDP growth. One of the most critical roles
(62%), whereas urban employed females have a
of employment is providing people with an income.
greater concentration in paid jobs (63%).45 The results
This income gives people the confidence to buy goods
for youth show a similar picture across gender and
and services, which helps businesses grow and create
regions.46
more jobs.43

Figure 23: Employed workers (aged 15-64) by employment status & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

43. See details at https://www.skillstg.co.uk/blog/why-employment-matters-for-economic-growth/

44. Unpaid family workers work without pay in cash or kind on an enterprise operated by a household member or other related persons.
45. See details in Annex Table 2.10
46. See details in Annex Tables 2.11 & 2.12 across region and provinces

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 38

 Employment status can be further dissected by Of all the females working as professionals, 88% were
occupation and industry. education professionals (e.g., schoolteachers), 7% were
health professionals, and only 2.5% worked in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Of
Definitions
all women working as skilled agricultural workers, 95%
‘Occupation’ means the type of work done worked as market-oriented skilled agricultural workers.
during the reference period, whereas the In craft and related trades, 91% of women were employed
‘industry’ means the activity of the firm, office, as food processing, woodworking, and garment-
establishment or department in which a person related trades workers.48 80% of female workers, with a
is employed or the kind of business which he/ university degree were working as professionals, and 7%
she operates. The distribution of employed as managers. Another 6% of university graduate females
workers by occupation and industry illustrates worked as technicians and associate professionals.
the status of individuals regarding employment Conversely, 33% of male workers with a university
in the high-return sectors/ occupations. It also degree were working as professionals and 20% working
helps identify the fraction of individuals in as managers (Figure 25).
white- and blue-collar jobs.
Figure 25: Graduate & above employed workers by
occupation & sex (%)
Employment by Occupation
Most female workers are employed as skilled agricultural
workers (62%) followed by workers in craft and related
trades (12%). 11% were in elementary occupations that
require rudimentary skills, and only 9% were in white-
collar jobs as professionals (Figure 24)47. The share of
women in managerial jobs is extremely low.

Figure 24: Employed female workers by occupation (%)

Note: Others include clerical support workers; service and sales workers;
skilled agricultural workers; craft and related trades workers, elementary
occupations; and plant/ machine operators.

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Note: Others include Further analysis of workers with a graduate degree or

managers; technicians
above level of education revealed that the majority of
and associate
professionals; clerical these females (88%) served as education professionals,
support workers; service
7% as health professionals, and just 3% worked as
and sales workers; and
plant/ machine operators. STEM professionals (Table 9).

47. See details in Annex Table 2.13 for rural-urban and across youth & adults.
48. See details in Annex Table 2.14

39 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Table 9: Employed workers with graduate or above degree by profession & sex (%)

Professionals Female Male Total

STEM Professionals 3 16 10
Health Professionals 7 10 9
Education Professionals 88 50 66
Business Administration, Legal, Social, & Cultural Professionals 2 24 15
Total 100 100 100
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Employment by Industry workers were involved in the agriculture and 15% in the
Traditionally, agriculture remains the primary sector for manufacturing sector. Within the agriculture, forestry,
women’s employment. The distribution of employed and fishing sectors, most females work in animal
female workers implies that 67% are working in the production (44%) and mixed farming (38%).49 There
agriculture sector, 16% in the community, social, and has been almost no notable change in where new
personal services sector, and 14% in the manufacturing sectors could be accessible for Pakistani over the last
sector (Table 10). In comparison, only 27% of male two decades.

Table 10: Employed females (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & major industry (%)

Major Industry Division National Rural Urban

Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing 67 78 15

- Growing of Non-perennial Crops 11 11 14
- Animal Production 44 43 48
- Mix Farming 38 38 26
- Support Activities to Agriculture & Post Harvest Crop Activities 7 8 12
Manufacturing 14 11 29
- Manufacture of Textiles 27 26 28
- Manufacture of Wearing Apparel 55 55 55
- Manufacture of other Non-metallic Mineral Products 7 9 3
- Others Manufacturing* 11 10 14
Community, Social, and Personal Services 16 10 48
- Public Administration & Defense, compulsory Social Security 5 5 5
- Education 52 51 53
- Human Health, Social Work, & Art / Entertainment 11 12 11
- Other Service Activities 32 32 31
Others** 3 1 8
Total 100 100 100

* Other Manufacturing includes manufacturing of food, leather, printing products, basic metal, electrical & related products,
furniture, etc.
** Others include Mining & Quarrying; Electricity & Gas; Construction; Wholesale & retail; Transport, Storage & IT services;
and Financing, and the real estate sector.
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

49. See details in Annex Table 2.14 for results by gender and region.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 40

 Employment by Place of Work work within home or near their homes. Only 14% of
Mobility constraints are among the major hindrances women reported working at a shop, business, office,
that limit women’s participation in activities outside or industry, compared to 49% of working men. In rural
the home. Accordingly, the distance of the place of areas, only 9% of females, compared to 45% in urban
work from home is a decisive factor for females when areas, reported working at shops, businesses, offices,
looking for employment. A large number of females or industry (Table 11).

Table 11: Employed workers (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & place of work (%)

National Rural Urban

Place of Work
Female Male Female Male Female Male

At own, family or friend’s dwelling 30 1 30 2 32 1

At employer’s house 4 11 3 13 13 9

On Street/road or countryside 52 38 58 50 10 16

In a shop, business, office, or industry 14 49 9 34 44 73

Abroad 0 1 0 1 1 1

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Case Study: Razia Sultana, Sialkot, Punjab

Razia Sultana aged 47, is a self-made business owner subsequently we got our first
who has helped many other women workers in Pakistan. order. The first customer gave
She had only a high school education, but due to us an order to just make a
financial needs she started her company, Spiza Sports sample of a uniform. It was
Co. in Sialkot, Punjab in 2016. In 2017, she attended a approved, then we received an
training organized by UN Women Pakistan with Proctor & order for 35 uniforms and for
Gamble support, titled “Stimulating Equal Opportunities each order we saved around
for Women Entrepreneurs”. Through this training she PKR 15,000-20,000. As time
learned about online marketing and the use of social passed and we improved and
media for taking orders, which helped her business expanded our set-up, more
grow exponentially, enabling her to employ and support orders started to come in, by the grace of the Almighty.
hundreds of women of her community. This is her story. “We have come a long way, from struggling to manage
“Only when a seed is buried in dust does it blossom into our own expenses to registering our very own company
a new plant. Initially, my first job was stitching footballs. and employing women workers. It gives me immense
After getting married, when I came to live with my in- pleasure to know that many households are now
laws, the girls in the community stitched footballs, so I prospering because of our work. When someone in need
used to sit with them and learn. In the beginning, I earned comes to me and I am able to help them, that’s what
merely PKR 100-150 (USD 1 at that time) a week, but then fulfilment and real joy is. So far, I have transformed the
as my children started going to school, the earnings were lives of 200-250 women of my community. Even the
not enough to meet our family expenses. people who used to criticize me now come and ask for
“I learned about a training by local organization Baidarie my help to improve their income.”
in partnership with UN Women on taking orders and

41 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

2.3. Unemployment and Underemployment national level (38% compared to 15% at the national
level). The same applies to urban Sindh and Punjab
The unemployment rate is estimated as a proportion of
(both at 24%).
individuals from the total labor force who are without
employment but willing to work and actively searching As noted earlier, with educational attainment, more
for a job in the week preceding the survey. For females tend to participate in the labor force. However,
Pakistan, this rate was at 6.3% nationally during 2020- data suggests that many women in Pakistan cannot
21: 9.1% for females and 5.5% for males. The female get a job and, therefore, remain unemployed. The
unemployment rate across provinces was highest in unemployment rate of females with a university degree
KP (16%), and across locations, it was higher in urban was 34% vs. only 9% for males with the same education.
areas than the rural and national average (Figure 26).50 Interestingly, in rural areas, the unemployment rate of
university-graduate female workers was 43%, i.e., more
Unemployment rates are higher among youth than
than four times the unemployment rate of their male
adults of both sexes,51 and massive gender deviations
counterparts.52 At the national level of all unemployed
can be noted across regions and provinces. Specifically,
females, 44% were university graduates, and in urban
the unemployment rate of young women from urban
areas, about half of the unemployed female workers
areas, especially in Balochistan, is more than the
were university graduates.53,54

Figure 26: Unemployment rate of workers (aged 15-64) by province, rural/ urban & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

50. See details in Annex Table 2.15 across provinces

51. See details in Annex Table 2.16 across provinces
52. See details in Annex Table 2.17 across education
53. See details in Annex Table 2.18 with distribution across provinces
54. See details in Annex Table 2.19 for youth unemployment rate across regions and gender

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 42

 On one side, females have lower labor force may create a risk of violence and harassment in public
participation and a high unemployment rate; on the transport [31].57 Solid laws have been enacted, and
other, they also face underemployment challenges. mechanisms have been established to protect women,
A worker is classified as ‘under-employed’ if working including the Protection Against Harassment of Women
less than 35 hours a week and is available for or at the Workplace Act (PAHWA) and the establishment
seeking additional work. At the national level, 1.8% of of Ombudspersons Offices as a redressal mechanism
all employed female workers and 1.5% of all employed at the federal and provincial levels. Section 509 of
male workers were under-employed in 2020-21. The the Pakistan Penal Code defines sexual harassment
highest under-employment rate of employed women and extends its domain to the workplace and private
was noted in KP. 55
spaces such as homes, and public spaces, such as
streets, buses, markets and parks. However, incidents
Overall, women’s economic participation in Pakistan is
continue, and there needs to be more awareness of the
substantially lower than that of men. Education could
laws and the mechanisms to get support.
be a push factor for improving economic activity and
the quality of jobs; however, only a slight difference A Women Safety Audit conducted by UN Women in
prevails between educated and uneducated women 5 districts across 3 provinces in 2020 found that the
regarding economic activity. Women’s employment is overall proportion of women who faced harassment
mainly concentrated in a few occupations and sectors, in public places was 85%.58 An astounding 93.2% of
primarily in the home or the farm. Their participation women felt unsafe at transportation stops/ stands
in work outside these areas, particularly in formal in the five selected districts, and 81% in markets and
employment and paid jobs, could be much higher. parks. Yet, a vast majority of women were not aware
Some types of work by Pakistani women may be of laws - 91% of women did not know that sexual
undercounted in surveys, as many survey respondents harassment is a crime punishable by law.
may be working in agriculture or doing informal work
According to a national survey conducted by media
at home, which is not counted as work [30].
outlets,59 more than 50% of working women do not
Gender norms have a decisive role in limiting female know that sexual harassment in the workplace is a
labor force participation, by restricting them at home crime and unaware of the laws on it. 35% of women who
or confining them in a few perceived acceptable faced harassment at the workplace responded that
occupations and sectors. Women who work outside they were asked by colleagues and supervisors not to
the home are not considered “respectable” in many file a complaint, and only 17% of women reported these
social contexts. In contrast, men are supposed to incidents to their organization’s inquiry committees.
be the primary breadwinners, and employers prefer Of the respondents, more than half said they would
hiring a man over a woman. The family members are leave their job if harassed. This demonstrates the huge
primarily the decision-makers rather than the women effect this form of violence can have on women’s
themselves. 56
employment and economic empowerment. If one were
to examine productivity losses from absenteeism due
Security concerns significantly affect women’s labor
to workplace harassment, and the deterrence effect of
force participation. Even if the work environment is
such incidents in public spaces, including transport,
considered safe and acceptable, traveling to work
the cost to the national economy would be substantial.

55. See details in Annex Table 2.20 across provinces

56. World Bank. 2006. Women’s Work and Movement into the Public Sphere.
57. Asian Development Bank (ADB). 2014. Rapid Assessment of Sexual Harassment in Public Transport and Connected Spaces in Karachi. Manila.
58. Women’s Safety Audit in Public Places, UN Women 2020, https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2021/03/womens-
safety-audit-in-public-places

43 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Awareness-raising initiatives on sensitizing society are In general, Employment in Pakistan, mainly women’s
needed to promote a more positive image of women’s employment, is characterized by unequal wages,
work [32] and raise awareness of laws and the rights unpaid work, lack of decent working conditions, and
and protections guaranteed to them. On the demand negligible or lack of social security. Three-fourths
side, policies can be targeted to increase labor demand of Pakistan’s employed women are in vulnerable
in particular types of jobs in which women are more jobs compared to 44% of men. Across provinces,
likely to work [30]. the highest vulnerable employment proportion of
female workers is in KP and Balochistan (Figure 27).
Several interconnected factors are responsible for this,
2.4. Women in Vulnerable Employment including restriction on females to work outside the
home, social, cultural, and religious norms restricting
them to a few occupations and sectors, safety and
Definition of Vulnerable Employment
security challenges during mobility, and lack of public
Vulnerable employment is often characterized transport services.
by inadequate earnings, low productivity, and
Figure 27: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-
difficult conditions of work that undermine
64) by province & sex (%)
workers’ fundamental rights. They are less
likely to have formal work arrangements and,
therefore, more likely to lack decent working
conditions [33].

In Pakistan, a substantial concentration of employment

can be found in the informal sector, coupled with a
poor working environment, low productivity, meager
remuneration, and a lack of social benefits. Vulnerable
employment, however, is the broader concept that
constitutes own-account workers and contributing
family workers in an economy. Literature suggests
that vulnerable employment and informal sector
employment point to the economy’s underlying
structure and overall development stage of a specific
country. This implies the presence of a substantial
undocumented sector or a shadow economy. Data
on the composition of global employment shows
that 42% of workers are employed in vulnerable Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

employment, and for the Asia-Pacific region this figure Vulnerable employment is higher in rural areas as
is 48% [34]. The gender composition reveals that 43% compared to urban areas.60 Women’s vulnerable
of all employed females in the world and 48% in Asia employment is at 81% in rural areas; this trend witnesses
and the Pacific fall under this category. The gender a sharp decline to 37% in urban areas. Further, the
dimension in most of the developing world shows that gender gap in vulnerable employment is narrower for
a higher percentage of females are engaged in it, as urban workers than for workers in rural areas (Figure
compared to males [35]. 28).

60. See details in Annex Table 2.21 across provinces

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 44

 Figure 28: Vulnerable employment of workers The composition of employed female workers by their
(aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & sex (%)
education level reflects that 73% of them in vulnerable
jobs never went to school, while 30% of male workers
without schooling were in such jobs. The percentage
of workers with various levels of education illustrates a
robust case for the education of individuals in general
and females in particular [36]. The analysis highlights
that vulnerable female employment declines with an
increase in educational attainment at the national
level and across regions. The vulnerable employment
share of male workers also declines, but the reduction
rate was less than that of females.61 For exposition
purposes, the percentage of women with no schooling
in vulnerable employment stood at 84%, while this
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21
figure was at 45% for men. Vulnerable employment
starts to decline as the education level of female
worker goes up (Figure 29).

Figure 29: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-64) by education level & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Females with primary education had 80% vulnerable employment; with matriculation (Grade 10), this figure
became 59%, and female workers with a graduate and above level of education had only a 9% share in it. This
implies that 91% of female workers with a university degree are in decent employment. A similar trend has been
noted across provinces.62

61. See details in Annex Table 2.22 on vulnerable employment by education in rural and urban areas
62. See details in Annex Table 2.23 across education levels

45 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

2.5. Women in the Informal Sector Notably, the share of females in the informal sector in
province Sindh was more than informal male workers.63
In rural areas, as opposed to urban areas, a higher
Definition of Informal Sector
percentage of both female and male workers were
Informal Sector is formulated in terms of employed in the informal sector. The results of young
household enterprise and size of employment. It workers are consistent with the overall results although
covers 3 aspects. First, all household enterprises one expects more formalization of jobs among youth
owned and operated by own-account workers due to a rising education level; however, the youth is
are part of informal, irrespective of the size of facing more challenges of informal employment than
the enterprise. Second, enterprises owned and the adults.64
operated by employers with less than 10 persons
Education helps individuals in finding a formal job.
engaged are informal. Third, are all enterprises
Still 28% of the university holders are working in
engaged in agricultural activities or wholly
the informal sector (Figure 30).65 The analysis of
engaged in non-market production[37].
the non-agriculture industry highlights that the
female-dominated sectors, namely manufacturing,
Informal employment in Pakistan estimates all the community, social and personal services sectors, had
informal activities in the non-agriculture sector. It a higher concentration of the informal share.66 Similar
includes household enterprises with less than 10 results were noted for female-dominated occupational
workers engaged and operated by own-account groups, where informal concentration is much higher
workers. The agriculture sector, where two-thirds of in manufacturing sector (87%) and wholesale & retail
the females work, is assumed to be informal, and is trade and restaurant & hotels (98%).67
not part of analysis. Almost three-fourths (72%) of
employed workers (aged 15-64 years) in the non- Figure 30: Employed females (aged 15-64) in the informal/
formal sector by education level (%)
agriculture sector were in the informal sector: 65%
females and 73% males (Table 12).

Table 12: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in informal

sector by province & sex (%)

National
Province
Female Male Total

National 65 73 72

Balochistan 55 74 73
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21
KP 61 77 75
Of all employed women in Pakistan, one-third (33%)
Punjab 64 74 72
were engaged in non-agriculture employment
Sindh 73 69 70 compared to 73% of male workers. This percentage
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21 was lowest for women in Balochistan (25%) and
highest (36%) in KP. With an increase in education, a

63. See details in Annex Table 2.24 across provinces

64. See details in Annex Table 2.25 for youth across education levels
65. See details in Annex Table 2.26 across education levels
66. See details in Annex Table 2.27 across industry
67. See details in Annex Table 2.28 across occupations

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 46

 higher percentage of workers tend to go towards the The distribution of employed women across regions by
non-agriculture industry compared to those with no the nature of their job agreement is shown in Table 13.
schooling or lower education, and these findings were Twenty-six percent of paid employed women in urban
consistent across regions and sex (Figure 31). 68
areas were working as permanent employees, and 65%
were working in urban areas without any employment
Figure 31: Employed females (aged 15-64) in non-
agriculture by education level (%) agreement/ contract. In rural areas, 76% women were
working without any contract.
100 98
85 93
80
80 72 Table 13: Employed women (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban
82
59 & job agreement (%)
60 66
Type of Agreement National Rural Urban
35
40 Female Male
Permanent 22 19 26
18
20
Less than 1 year 2 1 3
0
No schooling Primary Matric Intermediate B.S or above Up to 5 years & more 4 3 6

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21 Without Contract 72 75 65

2.6. Terms and Conditions of Work Total 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Nature of Job Agreement or Employment Contract
The nature of the job agreement of a worker with an Education is a strong driver for ensuring job security.
employer or enterprise is crucial for workers in the Of paid female workers with no schooling, 98% work
informal sector, as it impacts on their vulnerability. without employment contract. In contrast, employed
Overall, 78% of workers in Pakistan were found to women with a university degree: 33% work without
be working without an employment contract: 72% a contract, 14% as contractual workers, and 53% are
of female workers vs. 78% of males. The percentage working as permanent employees. No significant
of female workers working without an employment variation in percentages for male workers with a
contract was the highest (83%) in Sindh (Figure 32). university degree was observed.70 More than 95% of
The proportion of women in regular jobs was highest women workers in the agriculture and manufacturing
in province Balochistan (47%) and lowest in province industry were working without a contract, while in
Sindh (15%).69 the community and social services industry, 53%
were without a contract, and 39% were working as
Figure 32: Employed females (aged 15-64) by nature of job
agreement (%) permanent workers [36].

Working Hours
The weekly working hours of a worker in the labor
market highlight their work conditions, which also
has consequences on their socio-economic and
psychological well-being. As per labor laws, 35-48
hours per week are the standard number of working
hours, and going beyond 55 hours per week is
considered excessive working hours. Workers routinely
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

68. See details in Annex Table 2.29 by education level

69. See details in Annex Table 2.30 across provinces

47 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

working excessive hours are likely to be exposed to Figure 33: Average weekly working hours of women (aged
risks and become vulnerable to health issues owing to 15-64) by education level (%)

a lack of rest and sleep.

The LFS only collects data on working hours for

“pay profit or family gain” and does not collect
data on the time spent on care work, which women
primarily perform. This narrow approach results in
the underestimation of female participation in broad
economic activities (e.g., household production) and
documentation of sub-par working hours of female
workers.
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21
Even excluding the hours spent on uncounted care
work, it was found that 43% of women work up to Looking at the working hours of workers (aged 15-
34 hours per week, 51% work 35-50 hours per week, 64 years) by the main occupation, gender disparities
and another 6% work more than 50 hours per week. were observed in workers working less than 35
In contrast, only 6% of male workers worked below 35 hours.73 Similarly, the results by major industry depict
hours per week (Table 14). an analogous pattern where a higher percentage of

Table 14: Average working hours of employed workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex (%)

Female Male
Province
<34 Hours 35-50 Hours >50 Hours <34 Hours 35-50 Hours >50 Hours

National 43 51 6 6 49 45

Balochistan 12 72 16 4 48 48

KP 69 30 2 12 54 34

Punjab 45 50 5 6 49 45

Sindh 23 67 10 3 46 50

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

In the case of non-agricultural employment, 56% of female workers were working less than 35 hours per
employed females worked 35-50 hours per week, week compared to male workers across all major
compared to 48% of male workers (Figure 33).71 industry groups.74

Results by education reveal that as the education level The average weekly working hours of workers were 47
rises, more women fall in optimal weekly working hours hours per week. Disaggregated by gender, this division
(35-50 hours). 72
Decent working hours of females stood at 34 weekly working hours for females and 51
increased from 47% for women with no schooling to for males. Overall, the lowest average female working
74% for women a university education. hours per week (27), were recorded in KP, with male

70. See details in Annex Table 2.31 by education

71. See details in Annex Table 2.32 across provinces
72. See details in Annex Table 2.33 by education
73. See details in Annex Table 2.34 by occupation
74. See details in Annex Table 2.35 by industry

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 48

 working hours in the province being 48. In the rest of trajectory where the male’s average weekly working
the provinces, the female working hours per week were hours were consistently higher across rural and urban
within the range of decent working hours, and male areas.76 It is pertinent to mention that more than
working hours were around 50 per week (Figure 34). 80% of female and male workers were concentrated
in professionals, associate professionals, service
Interestingly, in urban areas, the average working hours
and sales, skilled agriculture, craft, and elementary
of females were high compared to rural areas: 38 hours
occupations [36]. Average weekly working hours
vs. 33 hours.75 The average weekly working hours of
across occupations are given in Figure 35, with similar
workers by main occupations also highlight a similar
results observed across provinces.77

Figure 34: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by province & sex

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Figure 35: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by main occupation & sex

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

75. The results across provinces and regions are in Annex Table 2.36
76. See details in Annex Table 2.37
77. See details in Annex 2.38

49 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Remuneration and Wages workers. Hence, we excluded the provincial analysis. At
Historical records around the globe show that women the national level, the gender gap in monthly wages
have always been paid below their male counterparts, a was 25%, implies that for every PKR 100 earned by male
situation which persists in most countries to this date. For workers, female workers earned PKR 75. The gender
this reason, women’s movements continue to push for gap was higher in Sindh than in Punjab: 37% vs. 23%,
equal pay for equal work. In Pakistan, the data on wages and wider in rural areas than urban areas (Figure 36).
is subject to a limitation posed by the data collection The gender wage gap in monthly wages of workers
technique adopted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics narrows with an increase in their level of education
(PBS), which only records wage/ income details of paid (Figure 37).79 The wage gap between female and male
workers. This leads to the omission of more than half workers with no education was 44% (i.e., for every
(58%) of female workers, as their contributions are not PKR 100 earned by a male worker with no schooling,
documented due to the unpaid nature of work [37]. This a female worker was earning PKR 56). In contrast,
omission has huge implications for the working women this wage gap was reduced to 22% for workers with a
in Pakistan as it under-documents their economic university degree.
activity and contribution. The LFS 2020-21 shows that
only 25% of females are working as paid employees;
Figure 37: Gender Wage Gap among paid workers (aged 15-
thus, the contribution of 75% of female workers went 64) by education (%)
undocumented.

The calculation of the median monthly wage shows

that female workers receive less wages than their male
counterparts.78 Women working as paid employees were
found to earn a monthly median wage of PKR 12,000,
compared to male paid employees’ median monthly
wage of PKR 18,900. Women across all provinces were
earning less than their male counterparts. It is difficult
to calculate the wage gender gap for workers from
KP and Balochistan provinces as the data was highly
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21
uneven, with a very shallow observation of female paid

Figure 36: Gender Wage Gap among paid workers (aged The gender wage gap is higher in the informal sector
15-64) – National, Punjab & Sindh by rural/ urban (%) (43%) and in rural areas (50%).80 Females working in
craft and related trades face the highest wage gap,
followed by workers in elementary occupations (Table
15). It is pertinent to highlight that the analysis of wages
by occupation group was restricted only to groups
where a reasonable number of paid women workers
were reported.

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

78. See details in Annex 2.39 across provinces

79. See details in Annex 2.40 across provinces by education
80. See details in Annex 2.41 across provinces

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 50

 Table 15: Monthly median wages of workers (aged 15-64) by main occupation, sex & Gender Wage Gap

Median Wages (in PKR)

Main Occupations Gender Wage Gap (%)
Female Male Overall

Professionals 30,000 40,000 35,000 25

Technicians & Associate professionals 24,000 30,000 30,000 20

Service and sales workers 16,000 18,000 18,000 11

Craft & related trades workers 9,660 20,580 20,000 53

Elementary (unskilled) occupations 9,240 16,000 15,120 42

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

At the national level, 64% of paid female workers and were university graduates, 26% were earning below
42% of male workers earn below the minimum wage minimum wage as opposed to 8% of male university
(PKR 17,500 for 2020-21). The gap was much higher graduates (Figure 39).
in rural areas, where 71% of female workers opposed
to 49% of male workers, were earning below minimum Figure 39: Workers (aged 15-64) earning below minimum
wage by education level & sex (%)
wage (Figure 38).81

Figure 38: Workers (aged 15-64) earning below minimum

wage by rural/ urban & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Provincial results indicate that the highest percentage

Women in Pakistan have been facing extreme disparities
of female workers earning below minimum wage were
in the labor market, i.e., most of them are in vulnerable
in Sindh at 72% and Punjab at 65%.82
jobs and are subject to poor working conditions. Very
The results by education show that with an increase few have proper job contracts, and the gender wage
in the education level of female and male workers, gap is high. A significant percentage of women work
the percentage of workers earning less than the from their homes; though they contribute significantly
minimum wage decreases.83 For instance, of all the to the economy, their work is largely uncounted and
female workers with no schooling, 90% were earning undervalued, and they lack any legal protection or
below minimum wage compared to 60% of males with benefits.
no schooling. However, of the female workers who

81. See details in Annex 2.42 across wage groups

82. See details in Annex 2.43 across provinces and wage groups
83. See details in Annex 2.44 across education and wage groups

51 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Due to the heavy concentration of women in for poverty alleviation, which can be achieved through
vulnerable jobs, on the one hand, they not only face by providing economic opportunities and linking them
thigh risk of remaining in poverty; on the other hand, with the modern digitized economy.
they are less likely to have work benefits like the
The National Financial Inclusion Policy acknowledges
formal employees, which they are in greater need of.
the exclusion of women. It emphasizes the need for
Across gender, marriage, fertility, and parenthood are
creating an enabling environment to improve access to
important determinants of vulnerable employment
financial services, new technologies, and a regulatory
[38]. On average, for women, being currently married
framework to support the financial inclusion of all. Its
is associated with a 5-6 percentage point increase in
target is to improve access to financial services for 50%
the probability of working in such employment [39].
of the adult population and at least 25% of women.86
Often, vulnerable employment results from limited The 2015 National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS)
activities available to women and other constraints aims to expand financial services to youth, women, and
that they often face, including social norms, limited adults. The strategy significantly raised borrowing for
mobility, issues related to security, risk of violence, lack women as a condition for microfinance banks to target
of education and digital literacy, etc. In particular, the women, especially in rural areas. The critical constraints
social norms on women’s ‘appropriate’ role in society for women, as identified by the strategy, are:
matter significantly in a society like Pakistan, which
• Low literacy and lack of education
has entrenched patriarchal values and strong gender
• Limited access to the labor market and control
stereotypes which shape male’s preferences towards
over financial means
career-oriented goals and female preferences towards
home production and family care, and make these • Lack of financial decision-making mainly due to
paths easier for them. societal gender norms
• Poor mobility, particularly limited economic
migration
2.7. Financial Inclusion of Women • Low usage of digital technologies
Financial inclusion is referred to as affordable access
Inclusion in the Financial System
to financial services for all citizens of the country.
These services include savings, insurance, loans, A low percentage of women in Pakistan are part of
money transfer, etc.84 Financial inclusion is stressed in the formal financial system compared to the regional
at least 7 of the 17 SDGs, as it plays a major role in average of 37% for South Asia. Having an account
consumption, self-employment, career opportunities, at a formal financial institution empowers women to
risk mitigation, entrepreneurship, etc. It implies timely manage their money, save, and make financial decisions.
and meaningful access to financial services and A look at the country’s financial landscape shows
products such as transaction accounts, credit, savings, women’s inadequate access to financial services. For
and insurance services, which can facilitate individual’s example, only 6% of the women have a bank account,
and 7% use mobile phones for financial transactions
business activities.85 The key indicators for financial
(Figure 40). On the other hand, men have a higher rate
inclusion are access to financial services, usage of
of financial inclusion: 31% of them have a bank account,
financial services, and quality of services [5].
and more than one-fifth of them use mobile phones
In low-income countries such as Pakistan, fewer for financial transactions.87 Provincial and regional
women hold bank accounts, own businesses, or are variations prevail where women in Balochistan and KP
entrepreneurs. Women’s financial inclusion is essential have the lowest bank account holding.

84. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialinclusion/overview

85. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialinclusion
86. For details see https://www.sbp.org.pk/finc/NF.asp

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 52

 One challenge women face in accessing financial financial behavior that has emerged over the past few
services is the lack of awareness and use of digital years seems to come from the women’s and men’s
technologies, such as mobile accounts, digital payments, uptake of “mobile money” services in Pakistan [40].
and banking apps. However, the adoption of technology
alone will not be sufficient without supportive policies
Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance (AIM)
and regulations that promote the use of technology
for financial inclusion. As Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, former Akhuwat has supported hundreds of thousands
Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan noted, “The of low-income families to access microfinance
government needs to create a supportive policy and loans since its inception in 2001. It was set up as
regulatory environment that encourages the adoption a company under “Section 42 of the Companies
of technology for financial inclusion.”88 It requires an Ordinance 1984” to provide interest-free loans
enabling environment to promote mobile banking to the impoverished and underprivileged
and digital payment solutions, as well as regulations members of society to enhance their living
that ensure the security and protection of user data. standards. The federal government and all
The linkages of mobile banking and digital payment provincial and regional governments support
solutions with certain home-based economic activities Akhuwat Microfinance.
can help women to be financially empowered while As Akhuwat’s core program, Akhuwat Islamic
sitting in their homes. In this regard, specific measures Microfinance (AIM) provides interest-free
would be helpful improving financial literacy, easy loans to the underprivileged to enable self-
access to digital technologies, address cultural barriers, reliance while creating sustainable pathways
encourage women entrepreneurship, etc. out of poverty. AIM is one of the world’s most
extensive interest-free microfinance program,
Figure 40: Financial Inclusion among women (aged 15-49)
by education (%) with 800+ branches in over 400 cities. AIM
strives to alleviate poverty by creating a system
based on mutual support in society. AIM has
disbursed over 5.4 million interest-free loans
amounting to PKR 180 billion in the last two
decades, and 43% of borrowers are women. It
has a loan return rate of 99.9%.

Over the last two decades, several microfinance banks

and institutions have emerged, having their outreach
Source: Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 in the rural areas with a women focus approach, i.e.,
Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance, Kashf Foundation, National
Access to credit/ micro-finance
Rural Support Programme, Rural Support Programme
Around 18% of women borrow each year in Pakistan; Networks (RSPNs), and many others. Yet their lasting
however, only 2% borrow from formal sources. The impacts on women’s wellbeing are largely awaited as
key reasons for borrowing are still non-economic, women mostly utilize loans for consumption [41].
i.e., to buy food and cover life cycle events such as
births, illness, or weddings. The key constraints for not Women in Pakistan often require permission from
borrowing are low financial literacy, restricted mobility, their families to access financial services. In such a
lack of knowledge of resources, lack of decision- situation, microfinance institutions in Pakistan have
making powers, etc. The most significant change in made a special effort to reach out to women in their

87. See details in Annex Table 2.45

88. S. Akhtar, “Financial Inclusion in Pakistan,” Asian Development Bank, 2016.

53 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

communities, especially through program run by NGOs for running a business. There is a slight variation in
and development partners. Although most borrowers of access to credit in rural and urban areas. Even within
the Pakistan microfinance network are women, the value urban areas, there was a difference in access to credit
of their loan portfolio is half that of male borrowers, between major cities (1.4%) and other cities (5.1%).
which reflects that the reasons for their loans are mostly
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) statistics show
small costs rather than large initiatives [42].
limited access of women to various credit services
The 2021-22 annual report of Pakistan Microfinance (Figure 42).89
Review (PMR) shows that microfinance increasingly
targets underprivileged women with the expectation Figure 42: Gender-wise share in the number of borrowers (%)
that, besides poverty reduction, having access to
financial services leads to greater empowerment. Over
the years, it has become visible that the industry is
gradually moving towards a gender balance. Regarding
microcredit, a gender balance already exists, as
50% of the clients are women. There are 2.7 million
women borrowers out of the total 5.5 million active
borrowers. In terms of micro-insurance, the trend of
women policyholders is 49%. On the micro-savings
front, women remain marginalized, as they only make
up 25% of the total depositors (Figure 41).

Figure 41: Outreach to women – Microcredit, Micro-savings,

Source: State Bank of Pakistan
and Micro-insurance

Even though women’s access to financial services is

currently low in Pakistan, the momentum is building
gradually to increase their share. There have been
efforts to improve women’s financial inclusion and
access to microfinance. Efforts are ongoing to provide
women with digital literacy programs and access to
financial services through mobile banking and other
digital solutions. Additionally, there have been efforts
to promote women’s entrepreneurship and provide
access to capital, financial services and capacity
building for women-owned businesses. Access to
Source: Pakistan Microfinance Review 2021-22 digital financial services would be extremely helpful to
empower women economically.
Many women still need more information about
financial services, limiting their capacity to access In sum, despite progress in various areas, significant
credit. The 2017-18 Women’s Economic and Social efforts are needed at both the supply and demand
Wellbeing (WESW) survey in Punjab shows that the side to improve the situation of women’s economic
overall financial inclusion of women in Punjab is low – empowerment and financial inclusion to ensure that
only 4% of women aged 18-64 years reported having they play an active and productive role in their own as
access to credit, whereas 1.7% had access to credit well as the nation’s development.

89. https://www.sbp.org.pk/acd/access-finance-indicators-mix.pdf

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 54

55 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-03

HEALTH
“You have to care for all beings created by God… My mission is to help any person in need.”
Abdus Sattar Edhi, Founder of the world’s largest volunteer ambulance network in Pakistan

Health is not just the absence of disease but an

indicator of well-being. Sustainable Development Goal Recognition of Health as a Key Factor for
3 is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being Sustainable Development in the Country
for all at all ages.” Various indicators within SDG 3 are
particularly related to women. For example, target 3.1 is The Government of Pakistan recognizes the
to reduce the global maternal mortality rate; target 3.2 fundamental right to health and well-being for
is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children; all, as articulated in key development policies,
target 3.7 is to ensure universal access to sexual and including Vision 2025 and the National Health
reproductive healthcare services, and target 3.8 is to Vision (NHV) 2016-2025.
achieve universal health coverage. Pakistan’s Vision 2025 recognizes that “Health
In recent years, global efforts have expanded their vision is pivotal to economic and social development.
to incorporate health challenges that affect women It, along with education defines the human
beyond their reproductive years and those common capital of a nation... For realizing high and
to both men and women but disproportionately affect inclusive economic growth, the people must be
them due to biological or other reasons. Specifically, healthy.” It further promises to develop a shared
these include the challenges of malnutrition and understanding of the health value chain in
mental health. In Pakistan, a lack of attention toward partnership with provinces and with the general
women-specific health issues like access to quality public to work on healthcare access and ensure
antenatal and postnatal care, as well as breast cancer a minimum level of service delivery throughout
and fistula, poses serious threats to the well-being of the country. Pakistan plans to enhance its
women. The key factors are lack of awareness among spending in the health sector to 3% of the GDP.
women, dedicated public health facilities with easy The National Health Vision 2016-2025 aims “to
access to women, women’s decision-making power to improve the health of all Pakistanis, particularly
decide about their healthcare, etc. women and children, through universal access
to affordable quality essential health services,
Women in Pakistan are often subject to physical,
and delivered through resilient and responsive
financial, and psychological abuse that leads to a low
health system, ready to attain Sustainable
standard of life, poor health, and in some cases serious
Development Goals and fulfill its other global
injuries or even death. They face various forms of
health responsibilities.”
discrimination and exclusion that begin before birth in

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 56

 the form of sex-selected abortions, at birth in the form As a result, many people suffering from health issues
of abandonment of female infants, and throughout go to tertiary hospitals, which cannot manage the
their lives due to son preference and girls not being large intake of patients. In contrast, some (i.e., tehsil
provided adequate food, nutrition, health care, etc. level hospitals) also lack quality health services [43].
This section presents the status of women on selected There is an unequal distribution of health facilities
indicators, which include, but are not limited to, health between urban/ rural areas and across provinces. Data
spending, access to health care, fertility and family shows that hospital access is fair in Punjab and Sindh,
planning, health-seeking behavior (antenatal and but challenges remain in KP and Balochistan (Figure
postnatal care), malnutrition, disability, etc. 43).91

3.1. Healthcare Facilities & Infrastructure 3.2. Access to Healthcare

The provision of quality health services depends Pakistan’s health system is plagued with multiple
on accessibility, availability, and conditions of the challenges, where accessibility to health infrastructure
basic health infrastructure of a country. Data shows is one of the biggest challenges besides affordability.
that while health facilities have increased over time Women face a host of constraints while accessing
in Pakistan, this increase is countered by the rapid healthcare facilities, ranging from the low priority
population growth rate. Hence, the availability of women’s health issues, including by the women
continues to fall significantly short of the needs. 90
themselves, lack of permission from the family to
Due to limited capacity and poor financial resources, seek care, financial constraints, distance to the health
Basic Health Units (the primary tier of health services), facilities, the burden of domestic and care work, etc.
especially in remote areas, are not fully functional, and (Table 16).
their outreach needs to be higher.

Figure 43: Rural population with a health facility at up to 10 km (%)

Source: Mouza Statistics 2020-21

90. For details, see Annex Table 3.1, Annex Table 3.2 & Annex Table 3.3
91. For details, see Annex Table 3.4

57 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Lady Health Worker Programme – Healthcare at the Doorsteps

The Lady Health Worker Programme, initiated in 1994 through Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Programme
for Family Planning and Primary Care, contributed significantly to taking trained healthcare to the doorsteps
of the population. Its purpose is to ensure the provision of primary, preventative, promotive, and curative
care services, mainly in marginalized remote rural and urban slum communities, particularly for women and
children. Through almost 90,000 Lady Health Workers (LHWs), a population of approximately 115 million
women, men, and children who would otherwise lack access to health services are provided with Primary
Health Care (PHC). Looking at children born in the five years preceding the PDHS 1990-91, it was found that
antenatal care was received during pregnancy for only 30% of births – as low as 17% in rural areas. In contrast,
antenatal care from skilled health workers increased to 77% in 2020, a significant improvement.

The issues become more pronounced for women in remote and backward areas, such as Balochistan, KP’s Newly
Merged districts (NMDs), Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Even in urban Balochistan,
there needs to be more health facilities. As a result, 66% of the women consider the distance to a health facility a
big issue they face in getting healthcare services.92

Table 16: Problems accessing healthcare by ever-married women (aged 15-49) by province/ region (%)

Getting Distance to Not willing to At least one

Measures Getting money
permission facility go alone problem

Overall 21 30 42 58 67

Balochistan 63 67 74 79 90

KP 27 47 50 66 77

NMDs 33 52 88 96 98

Punjab 20 28 42 58 66

Sindh 10 17 26 46 54

AJ&K 25 37 59 68 75
GB 34 53 72 78 74
Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18

3.3 Spending on Health

Public Expenditure
A country’s health system’s primary function is to provide preventive and curative services and protect the
population from the negative impacts of illness, accidents, and chronic diseases by providing accessible, equitable,
and quality health facilities [44]. Despite healthcare being a fundamental human right, Pakistan is, unfortunately,
unable to provide such facilities to all citizens, mainly due to a lack of resources and poor allocation of budgets
(Figure 44).93

92. For details, see Annex Table 3.5

93. For details, see Annex Table 3.1

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 58

 Figure 44: Health expenditures (as % of GDP)

Source: Finance Division, Islamabad

As a result of inaccessible and inadequate health After the 18th Constitutional Amendment of 2010,
facilities and lack of universal health coverage, a health became a provincial subject. Though all the
majority of the population finances their health-related provinces have raised their annual budgets for health
expenditures from their own pockets [45]. Although services, most of the allocations go towards current
public health expenditures have increased over time, expenditures, leaving limited funds to improve and
they are still below the WHO-recommended level of expand healthcare facilities (Figure 45).94
5% of GDP. According to the latest National Health
Account report, the country spent PKR 1,206 billion on In spite of the recognition of the importance of health
health in 2017-18. The annual per capita current health in various policy documents, realizing this vision for
expenditures were PKR 5,283 (USD 48.1) in 2017-18, better health outcomes for the people of the country
whereas the ratio of current health expenditures to is missing. Various commitments made under NHV
GDP and government consumption was 3.2% and 2016-2025 have also yet to materialize. These include
12.2%, respectively. increasing health expenditures up to 3% of the GDP,
fiscal discipline to the district level, granting financial
Figure 45: Provincial Health Budget Allocations (as % of autonomy to health institutions, etc.
Total Budgets)

Other spending
Although health expenditures (as a percentage of
GDP) are low, still federal and provincial governments
spend around PKR 1200 billion annually to run and
develop the public health infrastructure. The share of
government spending in total country’s health budget
is 41% and the rests 59% of health expenditures are
made through the private sector. With the private
sector, 88% are out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures by
households. Rests private health expenditures include
funding from donors, health insurance, NGOs, trusts,
etc. [6].
Source: Provincial Finance Departments

94. For details, see Annex Table 3.2

59 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Although OOP health expenses have shown a declining trend: 60% in 2013 to 52% in 2017. Despite this, health
financing through private health insurance is quite negligible. Out-of-pocket spending is still the country’s largest
source of health financing as it contributes more than 50% towards it (Figure 46).

Figure 46: Sources of Health Financing in Pakistan (%)

Source: GoP, National Health Accounts, 2017-18

Catastrophic Health Expenses (CHE)

Like many other South Asian countries, Pakistani citizens face high rates of health expenditures, which the heightened
inflation has further worsened in recent years. Citizens requiring healthcare are severely affected by the rising costs
of services and medicines. As detailed in the 2017-18 National Health Account report, 83% of the population used
private health facilities due to poor access and quality challenges of government hospitals (Figure 47).

Figure 47: OOP Payments in South Asian countries

Source: World Bank database

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 60

 Catastrophic Health Expenditures (CHE) are the high
Table 17: Incidence and intensity of catastrophic health
share of health payments as a proportion of total
expenditures (%)
consumption/ income. High OOP payments cause
households to reduce their spending on other basic Mean
needs, compel them to take loans and go into debt Threshold Incidence Intensity positive
gap
[46], compromise and forgo treatment [47], or result in
pushing the households into chronic poverty [48, 49]. OOP health expenses as a share of total
Controlling the CHE can significantly reduce poverty consumption (in %)
[50].
5% 28 3 9
Various thresholds are used to define CHE and to
10% 13 2 13
measure both the intensity and mean positive gap.
Mostly it has been defined as health expenditures 10% 15% 7 1 16
or above of a household’s total consumption and 40% OOP health expenses as a share of non-food
or above for non-food consumption. consumption (in %)
Table 17 shows that the incidence and intensity decline
30% 6 2 29
as the threshold increases, whereas the mean positive
35% 5 2 32
gap increases. Taking the threshold of 10%, 13% of the
households in Pakistan are facing CHE issues. However, 40% 4 1 35
while taking the means positive gap, these households Source: Estimated from the 2017 OOP survey and HIES
spent 22.8% on health care (10% +12.8%) on average.

The official poverty line (PKR 3,776) was used to draw

Pen’s Parade Graph for the purpose of this report. The
Key concepts of CHE analysis is carried out before and after health payments,
as excluding health payments from total consumption
Incidence is the fraction of households whose
yields a picture of the actual standard of living when a
health expenses exceed the adopted total/ non-
family is faced with a health problem.
food consumption threshold.
The pre- and post-health payments, total consumption,
Intensity measures the average amount by
and poverty line are plotted against the cumulative
which the fraction of OOP payments of total/
distribution of households by per capita consumption
non-food consumption exceeds the threshold.
(ranked in ascending order). The vertical red bars
Mean positive gap is the fraction of intensity to below the blue line for per capita income show that
headcount. some households are pushed into a state of poverty
due to health expenditures (Figure 48).

61 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 48: Impact of OOP health expenditures on household consumption

Source: Estimated from the 2017 OOP survey and HIES

Table 18 shows the impact of catastrophic health 3.4. Disability

expenditures on headcount poverty. The analysis Disability, as explained by WHO, is part of being
is carried out before (i.e., health payments are part human.95 Almost every human being will temporarily
of consumption) and excluding health payments. or permanently experience some form of disability
The findings reveal that counting the OOP health at some point in their life. Approximately 1.3 billion
expenditures as part of total consumption yields people globally (16% population) experience
headcount poverty of 21.5%, and after excluding the significant disability. This number is increasing partly
OOP health payments, headcount poverty goes up due to the aging population and the prevalence
to 29.4%. It indicates that about 8% of the population of non-communicable diseases. Countless factors
would be well-spent if resources were made available can intersect with disability to alter how someone
to them in a way that they did not have to spend experiences that disability, such as race, ethnicity,
OOP expenses on healthcare themselves. The adverse culture, gender identity, religion, age, geographical
impacts are greater for the ‘in-patient’ category and in location, and many more.
rural areas.
Disability is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that
Table 18: Impact of OOP payments on poverty by rural/ presents considerable challenges for data collection.
urban
The definition of disability has changed over time
and is currently conceptualized as the outcome of
Pre- Post- Poverty
Measures payment payment Impact the interaction between a person with a functional
headcount headcount (net-gross) limitation (difficulties doing basic functional activities)
Overall 22 29 8 and an unaccommodating environment resulting in the
inability to participate fully in society. Thus, to provide
Rural 28 37 10
complete information on disability would require
Urban 11 17 7 extensive and detailed data collection on almost all
Source: Estimated from the 2017 OOP survey and HIES aspects of life, including body structure and function.

95. https://www.who.int/health-topics/disability#tab=tab_1

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 62

 Considering these facts, the PSLM 2019-20 disability module comprises 6 questions based on the Washington
Group Disability Module, including visual, hearing, walking, remembering, self-care, and communication. Overall,
3% of females and 3% of males are reported to face disability in Pakistan; this is higher in rural areas than in urban
areas (Table 19).

Table 19: Population living with a disability by rural/ urban, province & sex (%)

Women Men
Province
Rural Urban Overall Rural Urban Overall

Balochistan 2 3 3 2 3 3

KP 3 2 3 4 4 4

Punjab 4 3 4 4 4 4

Sindh 2 3 3 3 3 3

Overall 3 3 3 4 3 4
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

The prevalence of functional disability is highest in province Punjab, and generally higher among men as compared
to women (Figure 49). It is worth mentioning that statistics on disability in Pakistan are largely under-reported
due to various factors, including the fact that household members usually conceal disability during the survey and
definitional issues that usually do not cover different kinds of disability, especially mental disability.

Figure 49: Functional disability by province & sex (%)

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

63 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Lady Health Worker Programme – Healthcare at the Doorsteps

Despite being hidden from the world’s gaze, Mumtaz had a prominent
presence in her own family. She hails from Kot Mengal, Balochistan, a region
that was severely affected by the floods of 2022. Until the age of 30, her
existence was concealed from society for fear of shame or stigma due to her
physical and mental disability, and in the legal sense, she did not exist.

The flood brought devastation for everyone, but to Mumtaz it gave life. The
crisis revealed her existence, a human life that was living and breathing for 30
years, yet hidden from society. With its interventions to register women for
computerized national identity cards (CNICs), particularly for women from
marginalized communities, UN Women, under a project funded by Japan,
spread awareness which reached Mumtaz’s family. A social mobilizer took
notice of Mumtaz and urged her family to get her CNIC registration, informing
them about its benefits, including legal recognition, health care, voting, and
inheritance.

Mumtaz’s family worked closely with the social mobiliser and processed the
issuance of the CNIC, promising to ensure Mumtaz’s name to be registered
in all official documents. Though Mumtaz was not able to express the joy of
being identified in words, she indicated that it was like her rebirth.

3.5. Malnutrition The alarming figure can substantiate this: 45% of

Malnutrition as defined by WHO refers to deficiencies deaths among children under 5 years of age are
or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential linked to undernutrition, mostly occurring in low- and
nutrients, or impaired nutrient utilization. 96
The double middle-income countries. Poverty amplifies the risk
burden of malnutrition consists of both extremes of of, and risks from, malnutrition. Poor people are more
undernutrition and obesity and diet-related non- likely to be affected by different forms of malnutrition.
communicable diseases. Undernutrition manifests in Also, malnutrition increases healthcare costs, reduces
four broad forms: wasting, stunting, underweight, and productivity, and slows economic growth, which
micronutrient deficiencies. can perpetuate a vicious cycle of poverty and ill-
health.97 Pakistan is also grappling with the scourge
Every country in the world is affected by one or more
of malnutrition, exacerbated by poverty, illiteracy, a
forms of malnutrition. Combating malnutrition in all its
lack of awareness about maternal and child health,
forms is one of the greatest global health challenges.
poor access to healthcare, and other factors. The poor
The developmental, economic, social, and medical
nutritional status of children may reflect the lack of
impacts of the global burden of malnutrition are
adequate caloric intake available to the household,
serious and lasting for individuals and their families,
which may also affect the health status of adults [51].
communities, and countries. Women, infants, children,
This can cause wasting, stunting, or being underweight.
and adolescents are at particular risk of malnutrition.

96. https://www.who.int/health-topics/malnutrition#tab=tab_1
97. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 64

 Pakistan has been facing a high malnutrition rate among above (stunting: 48% vs. 16%; wasting: 9% vs. 5%;
children, including wasting and stunting. Overall, 38% and being underweight: 32% vs. 8%). Stunting is high
of children under age 5 are stunted, with 17% severely among children from the lowest wealth quintile (57%),
stunted; 7% are wasted, with 2% severely wasted; and compared to the highest wealth quintile (22%).
23% are underweight, with 8% severely underweight.
The statistics on women’s nutrition are quite alarming,
Being overweight is an issue among 2% of Pakistani
as more than half of the women researched in Pakistan
children. The prevalence of underweight is highest
are malnourished, with a body mass index (BMI) above
among children whose mothers are underweight
or below the normal levels (Figure 50).
(35%) compared with normal (28%) and overweight or
obese (15%), showing that children’s health is largely Figure 50: Nutritional status among ever-married women
inclined to the mother’s health. (aged 15-49) (%)

Definitions

Wasting is defined as low weight-for-height and

usually occurs when a person has not had food
of adequate quality and quantity and/ or has
had frequent or prolonged illnesses. Wasting in
children is associated with a higher risk of death
if not treated properly.

Stunting is measured through height-for-age. It

results from chronic or recurrent undernutrition,
usually associated with poverty, poor maternal
health and nutrition, frequent illness, and
inappropriate feeding and care in early life. Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey 2017-18

Stunting prevents children from reaching their

physical and cognitive potential. Only 39% of women in Pakistan fall within the normal
Underweight is defined as low weight-for-age. weight range, whereas 9% are underweight, 30%
An underweight child may be stunted, wasted, are overweight, and 22% are obese. The prevalence
or both. of overweight and obesity is high in Punjab and
KP provinces.98 It is mainly correlated with wealth
quintiles, as women in the bottom quintile are 10 times
The mother’s education and socio-economic status
more likely to be malnourished than the upper quintile
of the family heavily influence a child’s health.
(Figure 51).
Children born to mothers with no education are more
undernourished, compared to children whose mothers
have a higher level of education, i.e., graduation and

98. For details see Annex Table 3.6

65 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 51: Nutritional status among ever-married women by quintile (%)

Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18

3.6. Reproductive Health and Family Planning on families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
Globally, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth While this phenomenon occurs worldwide, it is more
every two minutes, counting as many as 287,000 prevalent in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and
deaths in 2020. 99
Almost 95% of all maternal deaths Pakistan has the 6th highest number of child brides in
occurred in low and lower middle-income countries. the world at almost 19 million per year.
SDG 3 includes an ambitious target: “reducing the In Pakistan, child marriage remains a widespread
global MMR to less than 70 per 100 000 births, with no practice nationwide, and legislation has not been
country having a maternal mortality rate of more than successfully enacted or implemented to curb this
twice the global average”. The global MMR in 2020 harmful practice. The British Raj introduced the Child
was 223 per 100,000 live births; achieving a global Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA) 1929 in United India,
MMR below 70 by 2030 will require an annual reduction setting the minimum age of marriage at 14 years for
rate of 11.6%, a rate rarely achieved at the national level. females and 18 for males. The Act was amended in 1961,
However, scientific and medical knowledge is available whereby the legal age for females was increased to 16
to prevent most maternal deaths.100 years. More than 60 years later, the situation is almost
the same. Post-devolution in 2010, legislating on this
The Impact of Child Marriage
came under the ambit of provincial governments.
Child marriage is defined as the marriage or union
Sindh is the only province that repealed CMRA
of a child under the age of 18 years (UNICEF), which
and successfully passed comprehensive legislation
affects more girls than boys. It is a grave human rights
(Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013) raising the
violation, which directly and severely impacts girls’
age of marriage to 18 for both males and females,
education, physical and mental health and well-being,
and increasing punishments for violators. Offences
vulnerability to violence, lack of agency, as well as the
were made non-bailable, non-compoundable, and
health of their offspring. It also has negative impacts

99. UNICEF https://www.unicef.org/health/maternal-and-newborn-health

100. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2003. Improving Birth Outcomes: Meeting the Challenge in the Developing World.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10841

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 66

 cognizable, allowing anyone to report an incident of child marriage to the authorities on which the police may
arrest a person without a warrant and start an investigation.

Province Punjab made amendments to the CMRA in 2015 and passed the Punjab Marriage Restraint Amendment
Act, which only enhanced terms of imprisonment and fines, not the age of marriage. Islamabad Capital Territory,
Balochistan and KP are still operating under CMRA as amended in 1961, despite several attempts by lawmakers
over the years. Even the implementation of the current laws could be stronger, as many girls get married under
the age of 16 (Figure 52).

Figure 52: Age at first marriage among young women (aged 15-29) (%)

Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2020-21

Child marriage is much more common in rural than in urban areas,101 mainly due to rigid patriarchal norms and
cultural practices. These norms do not merely dictate that girls are married early but also pressure young brides to
have their first child soon after that. A preventative factor that can reduce child marriage is girls’ education, which
could be among the strongest influencers in delaying early marriages (Figure 53).

Figure 53: Age at first marriage among young women (aged 15-29) by education (%)

Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2020-21

101. For details see Annex Table 3.7

67 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

According to the World Health Organization, complications in pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause
of death in girls aged 15-19 globally, and girls who give birth before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely to die
in childbirth than girls in their 20’s. The infant mortality rate is 60% higher when the mother is under the age of
18 years. Teenage pregnancies and adolescent fertility cause high risks for both the mother and child, including
malnutrition, mental health issues [13], pregnancy and childbirth-related issues, such as obstetric fistula, which can
have devastating long-term consequences on the health of the women – 65% of all obstetric fistula cases occur in
girls under 18.

Statistics for Pakistan show that 39% percent of young women gave live birth when they were under the age of 20
years and 24% of them gave live birth even before 18 years of age (Figure 54).

Figure 54: Age of mother at first live birth by province (%)

Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2020-21

Cost of Child Marriage significantly to population growth and putting financial

A recent study by UN Women and NCSW estimated pressure on families, communities, and society.
the economic costs of child marriage in Pakistan,
Fertility & Population Growth
including loss of earnings due to low educational
attainment among child brides, low labor force Population growth is one of the biggest challenges
participation, poor health, and continued poverty [52]. faced by Pakistan and exacerbates all other problems,
The study found that the Pakistani economy lost $0.8 such as lack of resources, food insecurity, poor health,
billion or 0.42% of its total GDP in 2019-20 because of overburdened healthcare and other services, low
the incidence of child marriage. In addition to the issue literacy rate, etc. According to figures collected by the
of economic growth, larger family size also impacts World Bank, the fertility rate in Pakistan has declined
population growth, family poverty, and food insecurity. over the decades, from 6.8 in 1960 to 3.5 in 2021.102
The study found that there are 3.6 million additional However, the demographic transition is considerably
births in Pakistan due to child marriage, contributing delayed, and the fertility rate is 31% higher than the

102. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=PK

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 68

 desired rate.103 The demographic transition process in women in Pakistan currently have 2 children on
Pakistan has been slower than in other countries of average (ever-born); however, their (median) desire
the region. Bangladesh had witnessed a higher fertility for children stands at 4 children. This is lower in AJ&K
rate than Pakistan before 1980, but it is around 2 at and Islamabad and higher in Balochistan and the NMDs
present.104 (Figure 55). These statistics reveal that, if the desire is
acted upon, the country may not be able to reduce
Until the late 1980s, women’s fertility in Pakistan
fertility rates on a sustainable basis in the near future.
remained very high, between 6.0 and 7.0 children
per woman, which is characteristic of countries yet
Family Planning
to experience the demographic transition. A decline
in fertility gained momentum in the 1990s, but since Besides early marriage, another main reason for the
then, the movement towards moderate fertility has high fertility rate is the low uptake of conventional
proceeded very slowly, from 4.1 in 2006-07 to 3.6 in and non-conventional family planning methods.
2017-18. Death rates have also been falling steadily The conventional method includes family planning
since the 1950s, leading to a substantial increase in

Figure 55: Average vs. desired number of children among young women (aged 15-29) by province/ region

Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18

life expectancy at birth, from around 37 years in 1950- instruments, whereas the non-conventional include
55 to more than 66 years for 2015-20. Thus, Pakistan various interventions and incentives through
is slowly entering the latest demographic transition education, the labor market, social protection, and
stage, when fertility and mortality rates rebalance at breaking cultural taboos. Despite universal knowledge
low levels. 105
of family planning among women, only 34% of women
aged 15-49 years reported using any family planning
Looking at the situation and aspirations of young
methods; 9% used traditional and 25% used modern
women provides some valuable insights. Young
methods (Figure 56).106

103. https://pakistan.unfpa.org/en/topics/family-planning-9
104. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=BD
105. https://www.cairn-int.info/article-E_POPSOC_576_0001--pakistan-a-population-giant-falling.htm
106. For details see Annex Table 3.8

69 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 56: Ever-married women using any contraception method over time (%)

Lack of agency and decision-making by women, societal 57 shows a high prevalence of antenatal care among
pressures, desire for more children, son preferences, and women (86%), the highest being in Punjab. Balochistan
fear of side effects of family planning could be among performs poorest among all the indicators related to
the discouraging factors for not using family planning. safe delivery, i.e., prenatal consultation, birth delivered
Further, no change was witnessed in these figures in hospitals, and postnatal consultation. Due to limited
during the period 2012-2017. The 2017-18 PDHS also health facilities in public hospitals, more deliveries are
gathered information on intent among non-users to use managed in private rather than government hospitals,
contraception in the future. A third (33%) of currently especially in Balochistan and Sindh.107
married women aged 15-49 who are not currently using
Pakistan’s women face many discriminatory practices
contraception intend to use family planning at some
that affect their health and well-being, which begin even
future time.
before birth. In addition, they face significantly greater
constraints while accessing healthcare. A nation cannot
Antenatal and Postnatal Care
move towards sustainable development if around half
Antenatal care from skilled health workers significantly
of its population suffers in multifarious ways due to
improved in Pakistan from 56% in 2007-08 to 68% in
such a situation, especially the segment responsible for
2011-12 and 77% in 2019-20. Similarly, there has been a
reproduction and family care. While significant measures
significant improvement over time in the percentage
have been initiated, such as BISP and SSP, a lot more
of deliveries handled by skilled birth attendants (40%
needs to be done to ensure that every citizen of the
in 2007-08, 51% in 2011-12, and 71% in 2018-19). Figure
country, male and female, gets the right to a healthy life.
Figure 57: Indicators related to safe delivery for ever-married women by rural/ urban (%)

107. For details see Annex Table 3.9 Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 70

 A Snapshot of the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP)

Public health facilities in low-income countries like Pakistan need more resources, trained physicians
[53], and quality services [54]. Various demographic, socio-cultural, and economic factors are critical
constraints on the demand side [55]. In such a scenario, the marginalized households in Pakistan are
at a higher disadvantage as they face a double burden—on the one hand, they face higher chances of
sickness, and on the other, they lack the resources to obtain the desired health services [56].

The Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP) is a milestone towards social welfare reforms, ensuring that the
identified underprivileged citizens across the country get access to medical care swiftly and dignifiedly
without any financial obligations. The SSP program’s objective is to improve access of the poor
population to quality medical services through a micro health insurance scheme.

Launched in 2015, the SSP aims to provide indoor free-of-cost health services without any contribution
from the citizens. The emergence of SSP has eased the lives of people experiencing poverty by
providing reasonable and affordable insurance coverage for indoor treatment. The program allows
private hospitals to be part of the panel to ensure good quality services. The program is a federal-
provincial joint venture where the provinces financially contribute, and the federal government mainly
provides technical and policy-level assistance.

Initially, the SSP was limited to low-income families by using the Benazir Income Support Programme
(BISP) data to identify and issue health cards to eligible families.108 In 2021, the government decided
to expand the benefits of indoor health services to all citizens, making it a universal health insurance
(UHI) initiative. Now, no separate health card is required, instead, the national identity card (NIC) serves
as the eligibility document. NADRA, which issues NICs, maintains the official citizenship data and has
information at the family level. It is worth mentioning that the indoor benefits are provided at the family
level (maximum PKR 60,000 for secondary care and PKR 400,000 for priority treatment per annum),
where a family is defined as parents with unmarried children.

The program has placed a Health Management Information System (HMIS) in impanel hospitals to
facilitate the beneficiaries for enrollment, indoor treatment, updating of records, and general information
provision, i.e., eligibility, details of registered members in the database, balance inquiry, etc. So far, the
program has enrolled 37.3 million families, covering 75% of the country’s population. More than 5 million
individuals have used indoor health services.

The critical challenge of the SSP is the low utilization rate of the provided health insurance. Global
evidence suggests that it should be around 4-7%, whereas the utilization rate of SSP is below 3%.
Potential reasons for the lower utilization rate are related to various constraints at the policy and
implementation level that prevent an individual/ family from availing this health insurance service.

108. BISP holds a national database gathered in 2010-11 through a census survey of all households. The proxy mean test (PMT) was used to calculate
the score of each household. All the households/families having scores up to 32.5 were declared eligible for SSP.

71 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 72
73 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-04

POVERTY AND SOCIAL PROTECTION

“There are millions of our people who hardly get one meal a day. Is this civilization? Do you
visualize that millions have been exploited and cannot get one meal a day? If this is the idea of
Pakistan, I would not have it.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan

Ending poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030 alleviation [58]. Social protection and social safety net
is the first goal of the United Nations Sustainable programs have gained significance over time as useful
Development Agenda. Resultantly, the identification of tools for poverty alleviation and have been placed in the
the vulnerable segments and evaluation of the extent SDGs for poverty alleviation as well as the third pillar
of poverty has received considerable attention in the of inclusive growth [59]. Various SDGs highlight the
design of cost-effective poverty reduction programs importance of social protection and recommend the
and safety nets, keeping in view the global policy design and implementation of nationally appropriate
emphasis to not only reduce the proportion of those social protection systems with substantial coverage
living under $2 a day but also to address various forms for the poor and vulnerable (goal 1.3), achieve universal
of poverty through a set of social protection initiatives, health coverage (Goal 3.8) and youth employment,
livelihood opportunities, reducing vulnerability to and implement the ILO Global Jobs Pact (Goal 8b). In
various climate risks, and improving resilience [57]. many cases, such programs are the only hope for poor
households to avoid chronic poverty, malnutrition, and
Economic growth alone is not enough for poverty
fluctuations in consumption [60].

Figure 58: Policy Pillars of Inclusive Growth

Source: Asian Development Bank (2013) [59]

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 74

 Ideally one expects that social protection initiatives Figure 59: Poverty rate by province & rural/ urban (%) Growth
indorse resilience, equity, and opportunity for
marginalized segments. Still, the progress of such
initiatives in Pakistan is a question mark. Despite
significant budgetary allocations by both federal and
provincial governments, they just contribute a minimal
share in household food and non-food expenses,
and fail to create substantial long-term economic
opportunities for people. This chapter uses the data
to present a situational analysis of poverty and social
protection in Pakistan from a gender lens.

4.1. State of Poverty in Pakistan

With a population of more than 220 million, Pakistan
is facing a high incidence of poverty, a largely rural
phenomenon as 80% of the poor reside in rural areas.
Over the last two decades, the country successfully
reduced poverty – from 61.6% in 1998-99 to 21.5% in
2018. Yet high poverty levels persist in the rural areas Source: PIDE Report 2021 [61]
of all the provinces, with the highest in rural Sindh
(Figure 59).
Poverty in Pakistan is largely linked to livelihood
The Planning Commission of Pakistan adopted the opportunities available to the citizens. For example,
Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in 2016 as the highest poverty in rural areas can be seen in South
it enables comprehensive and dynamic poverty Punjab and rural Sindh, where people primarily depend
estimates. The Index is calculated based on various on the agriculture sector, and these regions lack vibrant
deprivations against three domains: education, health, urbanization, industrial base, overseas remittances,
and living standards. The trends of the MPI show that etc. On the other hand, barani (non-irrigated) Punjab
deprivation has substantially declined in both rural has the lowest rates of poverty, primarily due to the
and urban areas, with a greater reduction in urban diversified resources available to the households
areas in all the provinces. Still, more than half of the [62]. The highest level of poverty was observed in
rural population in Pakistan is deprived. Regional Balochistan due to poor human capital and physical
heterogeneities and inequalities are also common, as infrastructure, water scarcity, and low rainfall, resulting
rural Sindh and Balochistan are the hubs of deprivation in drought, making livestock one of the main means of
(Table 20). survival (Figure 60).

75 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 20: Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) over time by province & rural/ urban (%)

Province Region 2004-05 2006-07 2008-09 2010-11 2012-13 2014-15

Rural 70 70 65 62 56 55

Overall Urban 24 19 17 14 10 9

Overall 55 53 49 47 41 39

Rural 92 92 91 89 86 85

Balochistan Urban 49 43 40 37 29 37

Overall 83 80 79 77 72 71

Rural 73 73 68 65 57 58

KP Urban 31 33 23 19 10 10

Overall 66 66 61 57 49 49

Rural 63 61 57 53 47 44

Punjab Urban 20 16 13 11 8 6

Overall 50 46 43 40 35 32

Rural 88 87 81 80 76 76

Sindh Urban 27 20 20 15 11 11

Overall 57 54 51 50 45 43
Source: Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16

Figure 60: Poverty bands overtime (%)

Source: PIDE Report 2021 [61]

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 At the household level, various forms of capital, soft Third, the seasonal monsoon rains of 2022 caused by
(education, skills, health, etc.) and physical (various global climate change, triggered an unprecedented
physical assets, i.e., land, livestock, property, etc.) are deluge across Pakistan, affecting 33 million people and
strong drivers for poverty alleviation. For example, the killing more than 1,700. The assessment shows that
2018-19 HIES reveals that: these floods have inflicted damages and economic
losses of more than $30 billion [64]. One-third of the
• Poverty rates are 31% among households having
flood affectees became homeless, and an additional 9
household heads with no education compared
million people were at risk of being pushed into poverty.
to only 2% among households, where the head
The World Bank found that the national poverty rate
of household has an education of graduation or
in Pakistan could increase by 2.5 to 4.0 percentage
above.
points as a direct consequence of the floods, with
• Poverty rates are almost double in larger
disastrous impacts on human development in the
households (38.4%) compared to small families
disaster-affected areas [65].
(17.6%).
Fourth, the country has been facing a high inflation rate
• Poverty rates are almost half among the households
in the recent past, particularly food inflation. This has
receiving remittances, as compared to the others.
been driven by difficult external conditions, including
• Both employment and the quality of employment
rising global prices, and domestic factors including an
are among the vital factors in poverty reduction.
overheating economy and the phasing out of energy
price relief measures. Going forward, inflationary
pressures are likely to continue in the context of the
4.2. Poverty and Economic Shocks
floods, internal and external economic imbalances
Low and middle-income countries, including Pakistan,
and are expected to disrupt the supply of critical
face persistent economic shocks caused by the
household and agricultural goods, disproportionately
interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality,
impacting the most vulnerable, and placing a heavy
economic crises, and humanitarian disasters. These
burden on poor and low-income households, pushing
shocks adversely impact the population’s well-
between 5.8 and 9 million people into poverty [66].
being and leave a disproportionally greater adverse
impact on people experiencing poverty as they lack
resources to deal with them. As a coping strategy, 4.3. Social Protection Programs
poor households usually adopt unfavorable responses
Social protection is a set of policies and programs
mostly by compromising on food and other basic
aiming to address poverty and vulnerability by
needs like education and health [63].
providing financial relief to people experiencing
Pakistan has faced four waves of shocks in just last five poverty. Such programs could include social
years. First, there has been sluggish economic growth safety nets (non-contributory), social insurance
since 2017, intrinsically linked with employment and (contributory), and labor market programs. Though
job opportunities. Resultantly, unemployment and the specific objectives may differ, all such interventions
underemployment considerably rise, particularly promote resilience, equity, and opportunity among
among women who face greater challenges in the poor [67]. Empirical findings imply that efficiently
securing decent work opportunities. Second, the administered and full-bodied targeted programs
COVID-19 pandemic seriously affected the economic promote well-being and contribute to human capital
performance of millions and hampered poverty development and employment opportunities.
reduction. The estimates of IMF show that while the
Article 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan provides for
poverty rate declined by 40% over the last two decades
social security as a civil right of every citizen. Pakistan
to 24.3% in 2015, up to 40% of Pakistanis were living
has a long history of social protection programs where
below the poverty line in COVID-19’s viral wake.

77 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

need-based interventions were initiated in the 1980s 1. Safety net for at least 10 million families
(i.e., Zakat) and 1990s (Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal - PBM), 2. Livelihood opportunities for 3.8 million individuals
followed by microfinance programs in the early 2000s.
3. Financial access to healthcare for 10 million families
Despite these initiatives, the country lacked a national
4. Scholarships and education incentives for 5 million
social protection framework up to 2007. For the first
students (50% girls)
time, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)
2001 identified the need for pro-poor spending 5. Financial and digital inclusion for 7 million
for poverty reduction. It led to increase pro-poor individuals (90% women)
expenditure in various sectors, and currently, average 6. Enabling environment for poverty reduction
pro-poor spending stands at around 9% of GDP. It 7. Equality promoting multi-sectoral partnerships
was in 2007 that the newly formed National Social and innovations
Protection Strategy emphasized the need for social
Most of these social safety net interventions include
protection to combat poverty and inequality.
women, though the only program specifically focusing
The establishment of the Benazir Income Support on women is the BISP.
Programme (BISP) – named after the former Prime
• BISP’s all-inclusive focus is on women through
Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto – laid the foundation
unconditional and conditional cash transfers.
for a large-scale intervention in 2008, as the earlier
formal social safety nets in Pakistan lacked sufficient • Sindh’s food subsidy program uses BISP data;
resources, proper coverage, and scientific targeting. therefore, its entire target is women.
After the establishment of BISP, and especially post- • Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) targets
devolution, the provincial governments initiated women and girls for education, asset transfer, etc.
and expanded their social protection initiatives and • The Prime Minister’s health insurance benefits
schemes, e.g., Punjab Social Protection Authority, are primarily for the family and include maternal
Insaaf Card in KP, targeted food subsidies in Sindh, health coverage.
and similar other provincial social welfare initiatives.
• Various skill development programs (i.e., Punjab
Overall, social safety net expenditures significantly
Skills Development Fund - PSDF, Zakat, and PBM),
increased in Pakistan from only 0.1% before 2008 to
managed through various organizations also
6.7% of the GDP in 2021.
target women.

Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division • Microfinance interventions have a significant share
of women borrowers (more than 80%).
In 2019, the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety
(PASS) Division, branded as the ‘Ehsaas’ program • Various provincial social welfare programs provide
was established as an umbrella for social protection financial and other assistance to the destitute,
initiatives of the government and to streamline the disabled, or elderly population.
social protection programs at the federal and provincial Despite being named after a political figure, each
levels. It is a governing ministry for four organizations, successive government (entailing three different
having the mandate for providing relief to the poor and political parties) has owned the BISP as it is a highly
vulnerable segments, namely: BISP, Pakistan Bait-ul- successful initiative that has witnessed an increase in
Mal (PBM), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), its budget from PKR 17 billion in 2008 to more than
and Trust for Voluntary Organizations (TVO). PKR 400 billion in the ongoing fiscal year, impacting
The PASS Division has stipulated a set of seven time- the lives of millions, especially women and girls.
bound goals and targets. These will be revised based BISP is a unique case in social protection as it is one
on the availability of new funding and partnerships. of the most extensive unconditional cash transfer

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 78

 programs targeting women explicitly. Table 21 shows the changes in women’s empowerment, as measured through
5 indicators within two dimensions, i.e., women’s mobility (visits to the market, health centers, friend’s homes, and
religious places) and political voice (voting behavior). While looking at the baseline data (2011), one can see that
both the benefiting and non-benefiting groups were almost homogenous before the intervention. However, after
the intervention, the women in benefiting households significantly improved their welfare, especially on visits to
the market, visits to friends’ homes, and voting. Over time, the benefiting women had shown more improvement,
i.e., greater mobility and political voice in later years (2016 and 2019). For some indicators, the situation of non-
benefiting women witnessed a decline.

Table 21: Women’s mobility over time (%)

Visits to Visits to Always or

Visits to local Visits to Any of the
Year friend’s religious sometimes
market health centers four
homes centers voted
2011 (baseline)
- Target 27 30 39 26 38 60
- Control 30 35 43 28 42 59
2013
- Target 32 36 50 27 48 78
- Control 32 38 50 28 47 71
2016
- Target 36 36 58 26 52 87
- Control 32 31 50 22 45 77
2019
- Target 32 31 51 24 53 91
- Control 25 24 42 18 44 77
Source: Iqbal et al., (2021) [68]

Control over cash, as reported by beneficiaries, also improved over time, from 63% in 2013 to 89% in 2019.
Independently, more control over cash is observed among beneficiaries who received disbursements through
biometric payments than those who received it through debit cards (Figure 61).

Figure 61: Control over BISP’s disbursements among beneficiaries over time (%)

Source: PIDE Report 2021 [61]

79 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

A nuanced analysis shows that BISP’s intervention reduced chronic poverty, shifting them to the ‘vulnerable’ and
‘quasi-non-poor’ categories. However, the intervention insufficient to graduate poor women from poverty. The
majority still fall into poor and vulnerable categories, and any negative shock may push them back into extreme
poverty (Figure 62).

Figure 62: Distribution of beneficiaries in various bandwidths (%)

Source: Farooq and Nayab (2023) [57]

4.4. Policy Challenges Political factors and donor funding largely drive the
emergence of BISP and its budgetary expansion.
Despite a two-decade journey vis-à-vis social Initially, the program aimed to protect the ultra-
protection, the country still faces a series of policy poor from adverse impacts of inflation through
challenges. Some of these are listed below: consumption smoothening; however, later, the
• A central policy framework on social safety net program claimed an ambitious mandate, including
(SSN) interventions needs to be included to poverty alleviation, employment provision, etc.
describe federal and provincial government’s clear Ideally, the SSN programs alone cannot mitigate
roles and responsibilities to avoid duplications in poverty as poverty alleviation requires sustained
interventions and exclusion of various vulnerable growth, job creation, and social inclusion.
groups. • The existing unconditional cash transfer is not
• After a journey of 14 years, BISP lacks a clear sufficient for consumption smoothening as the
sustainable graduation/ exit strategy for various share of BISP’s transfer in household consumption
income groups, i.e., ultra-poor, transient poor, is just 5%. Ideally, it should be coupled with micro
vulnerable, etc. No country can have enough and macro-level interventions to create economic
money for an interminable intervention. opportunities for people experiencing poverty and
other forms of vulnerabilities.
• The country’s pro-poor growth agenda is not
integrated with the social safety net initiatives.

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81 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-05

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN &

GIRLS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE
“Violence against women can end only when the culprits get punished.”
Mukhtar Mai, Survivor and Human Rights Activist

Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) is a grave International organizations and civil society
human rights violation and a global health issue. This organizations (CSOs) have been at the forefront of
pervasive practice manifests across geographical, concerted efforts to effectively devise mechanisms
ethnic, social, age, and religious boundaries, although and policies to effectively address the incidences
its forms vary. It is a multi-faceted phenomenon that of violence against women & girls. The United
shapes all aspects of life for the survivors and their Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence
families, including health and well-being, both physical Against Women (1993) comprehensively defined this
and mental, personal decisions, educational attainment, phenomenon.
career advancement, and economic empowerment.
The Beijing Platform for Action (1995) further
VAWG can be physical, sexual, psychological, and
underscored that VAWG is a human rights violation
economic and is often committed by someone familiar
that girls and women are subjected to even before they
to the survivor, such as a family member or intimate
are born, in the form of abortion of female fetuses. The
partner. Furthermore, global data indicates, which is
socio-economic background, culture, and the society
also the case in Pakistan that women and girls are
in which a girl or woman lives often play a vital role
increasingly vulnerable to harassment and bullying in
in determining the nature and extent of violence that
public spaces, workplaces and the cyber sphere.
she may experience over her lifetime. Globally, 30% of
women experience physical or sexual violence [70].
The official figure is similar for Pakistan, however, in
Definitions
light of severe under-reporting in the country, the
Violence Against Women is “Any act of gender- actual proportion can be expected to be much higher.
based violence that results in, or is likely to
result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or
suffering to women, including threats of such 5.1. Legislative Framework on VAWG in
acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Pakistan
whether occurring in public or in private life.” Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan asserts that “All citizens are equal before
United Nations [69]
the law and entitled to equal protection of the law.”
In compliance with international commitments and in

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 82

 response to the continued struggle of rights-based However, weak implementation of laws and a lack
organizations, the federal government, and, following of awareness and understanding among both duty-
the devolution of powers to the provinces through the bearers and rights-holders limit the effectiveness of
18 Amendment of 2010, the provincial governments,
th
these legal provisions, which in turn has huge costs on
have introduced various laws, legal amendments and individuals, families, communities as well as the nation.
policies to curtail violence against women and girls. A study by the International Centre for Research on
These were enacted to safeguard their fundamental Women found that households lose nearly $146 million
rights as equal citizens, criminalize any violations of in income annually due to VAW and spend $19 million
their human rights, and ensure effective response and on violence-related expenditures. Further, Pakistan has
services for survivors. an annual direct cost of $189.7 million due to VAW.109

Some Key Legislations for Addressing Violence

and Discrimination 5.2. Forms of Violence and their Incidence

• Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Act, 2021 Domestic/ Intimate Partner Violence
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence Domestic Violence (DV)/ Intimate Partner Violence
Against Women Act, 2021
(IPV) is the predominant form of violence and abuse
• Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA),
faced by women globally where one-third of women
2016
experience sexual and/ or physical violence from a
• Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences relating
to Rape) Act, 2016
spouse or partner [6].

• Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in the The analysis for Pakistan relies mainly on the existing
name or on pretext of Honor) Act, 2016 data source of the Pakistan Demographic and Health
• Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Survey (PDHS) 2017-18 survey, which found that 23%
Act, 2016
of ever-married women (aged 15-49 years) reported
• Child Marriage Restraint Act (Punjab, 2015;
having experienced physical violence, 26% emotional,
Sindh, 2014)
and 5% sexual violence at the hands of husbands/
• Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection
intimate partners (Figure 63).
Act (Sindh,2013; Balochistan, 2014)
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Deserving Widows and As many as 34% of the respondents reported
Special Persons Act, 2014 experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual violence in
• Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal their lifetimes and 25% had experienced these forms
Law Amendment) Act, 2011 of violence in the 12 months preceding the survey. The
• The Women in Distress and Detention Fund incidence of violence is slightly higher in rural areas
(Amendment) Act, 2011
compared to urban areas.110 As mentioned above,
• Right to Ownership (Women) Act, 2011
this is a gross under-estimation, as the same survey
• The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention
found that more than 50% of the women reported not
Act, 2011
sharing incidents of violence with anyone.
• The Protection Against Harassment of Women
at the Workplace Act, 2010 (AJ&K, 2011;
Punjab, 2012; GB, 2013; Balochistan, 2016;
Sindh, 2018; KP, 2020)
Note: This is not an exhaustive list

109. https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/publication/documents/2019-07/economic-social-costs-violence-women-girls-pakistan-2019.pdf
110. For details see Annex Table 5.1

83 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 63: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who ever experienced spousal violence (%)

Source: PDHS 2017-18

The provincial results in Table 22 show that a higher percentage of ever-married women from KP had experienced
emotional, sexual violence and any form of violence (physical, sexual, or emotional), whereas women from
Balochistan reported the most physical violence and physical or sexual violence compared to women from other
provinces.111

Table 22: Ever-married women (age 15-49) who experienced spousal violence by province (%)

Type of Violence KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan

Emotional 48 23 13 30

Physical 35 21 12 44

Sexual 7.7 4.6 3.7 3.1

Physical or Sexual 36 22 13 45

Physical, Sexual, or emotional 52 32 18 49

Source: PDHS 2017-18

Figure 64: Ever married women (aged 15-49) who ever

An important insight can be gleaned from looking at the experienced spousal violence by education (%)
correlation between violence and level of education.
All forms of violence were high among women with no
education and their incidence declined in the case of
women with secondary and higher education (Figure
64). This can be taken to signify that higher education
can be a preventive factor against violence.

Source: PDHS 2017-18

111. For details see Annex Table 5.2

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 84

 Another significant factor can be the economic status prevalence of violence was lower for educated women
of a survivor’s family, even though VAWG is prevalent compared to women with no education. Moreover, the
in all segments of society in various forms.112 For women from wealthy households were less likely to be
instance, 27% of the ever-married women belonging exposed to violence than those from poor households.
to the poorest households faced emotional violence
and this exposure reduced to 18% among the women Harassment at the Workplace
belonging to the richest households. Regarding Gender equality cannot be achieved until women
physical or sexual violence, 28% of women from the are given opportunities to develop and advance
poorest wealth quintile experienced it vs. 16% from the professionally, which in turn requires that workplaces
richest wealth quintile. provide a safe and conducive environment. Pakistani
women are very capable and strong – they excel in
When analyzed by employment status, the findings
every field they enter and are able to compete with
revealed that ever-married women who worked as
and even outperform men. However, the low level of
unpaid employees were relatively more exposed to
female labor force participation at only 24% is one of
all forms of violence than women working as paid
the key barriers preventing them to opt for a decent
employees. 113
career.114 A key barrier is fear or actual experience of
Twenty-nine percent of ever-married young women harassment while working outside home.
(age 15-29 years) had been exposed to violence
Despite a strong legal framework at federal and
(physical, sexual, or emotional) at some point in the
provincial levels, harassment at workplaces is
past. At the same time, 17% of the respondents had
commonly experienced by women, while it remains
experienced it during the 12 months preceding the
highly under-reported or not reported at all. Under
survey (Table 23). It is noteworthy to mention that the
the PAHWA enacted by the federal government and
majority of the women reported that their spouses
adopted by the provinces, Ombudspersons have been
were the perpetrators of violence.
appointed to deal with harassment cases. In 2022, the
Overall, rural young women were more likely to face PAHWA 2010 was amended to extend its jurisdiction
violence compared to urban women in the same beyond formal workplaces to home-based workers
age cohort. Further, the analysis suggests that the and any other work-related sphere where women may

Table 23: Ever-married young women (aged 15-29) who experienced violence by rural/ urban (%)

Overall Rural Urban

Type of Violence Ever since Last 12 Ever since Last 12 Ever since Last 12
age 15 months age 15 months age 15 months

Physical 27 15 31 18 19 9

Sexual 6 4 8 5 3 2

Physical/ Sexual/ Emotional 29 17 34 20 19 10

Source: Estimated from PDHS 2017-18

112. For details see Annex Table 5.3

113. For details see Annex Table 5.4
114. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?locations=PK

85 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

face harassment. However, harassment continues to Harassment in Educational Institutions
remain widespread across all fields. Women working In recent years, hundreds of cases of harassment at
in factories and the informal sector are often harassed educational institutions have been exposed, with some
but unaware of the legal provisions available to report having dire consequences for the victim, including
such incidents. In the past couple of years, an increase loss of life. The PAHWA Amendment of January
in harassment cases from university campuses and 2022 amended the law to make it more robust and
academic institutions has been observed where female comprehensive. One of the changes is that students
students and teachers filed complaints of harassment and academic institutions were granted coverage by
by male students and staff. A lack of awareness and the law. This was a much-needed amendment as the
low faith in the accountability system has been a major cases of harassment have exploded in educational
factor that has discouraged women from coming settings.
forward with their complaints.
In October 2019, a huge harassment scandal surfaced
According to a national survey conducted by media in Balochistan University, Quetta, when the Federal
outlets115 [71]: Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested security and
• More than 50% of working women do not know surveillance officers for blackmailing students. The
that sexual harassment at the workplace is a crime FIA had been asked by the Balochistan High Court
and are not aware of the laws on it. to look into increasing reports of harassment at the
university. Students claimed that CCTV footage was
• Their colleagues and supervisors asked 35% of
being used by the administration to blackmail female
women who faced harassment at the workplace
students for sexual favors, and they were also being
not to file a complaint.
monitored and recorded through additional cameras
• Only 17% of women reported these incidents to
and microphones placed in washrooms and smoking
their organization’s inquiry committees.
areas. News of the scandal led the university’s vice-
• An overwhelming 83% felt that men believe they chancellor, to step down, and many parents pulled
will get away with inappropriate behavior, which is their daughters out of the university. This was surely
why they continue as harassers. a big blow to women’s empowerment in the province,
• 59% reported that their management does take where already the indicators for education of females
harassment seriously, and most expressed worry are dismally low.
that managers would not sanction harassers and
In February 2021, Dr. Parveen Rind, a resident of Dadu
their work situations would not improve.
district doing house job at the People’s University
• Of the respondents, more than half said they of Medical and Health Sciences, Nawabshah, alleged
would leave their jobs if harassed. that she had been consistently subjected to torture
These statistics show the huge effect harassment can and sexual harassment over a period of four years
have on curtailing women’s economic empowerment. by the university director and other officials. Dr.
If one were to examine productivity losses from Rind also highlighted other suicide attempts in
absenteeism due to workplace harassment, coupled Sindh universities, accusing the officials of sexually
with the deterrence effect of harassment incidences assaulting female students then killing them while
in public spaces, including public transport, the cost to declaring them as suicides. One such case was of a
the national economy would be substantial. student of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical

115. https://www.dawn.com/news/1395215

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 86

 University who was found dead in her hostel room. exploitation,” the letter said, adding that the cases
The university administration said she had committed against the officials were “bogus.” Meanwhile, the
suicide, however, the postmortem report found that South Punjab Higher Education Department Secretary
she was sexually assaulted before her death and constituted a committee to probe the case registered
died due to asphyxiation. In February 2022, Sindh against the chief security officer for “carrying/ using
High Court (SHC) Chief Justice took Suo motu notice the contraband substance” and purported recovery
of the case and summoned Shaheed Benazirabad of objectionable material from his cell phone. The
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Senior committee was directed to conduct a comprehensive
Superintendent of Police (SSP), Deputy Commissioner inquiry and examine all relevant evidence, including
and University’s Registrar to the hearing, seeking any available digital or physical evidence, testimonies,
reports on the matter. During the court proceedings, and other pertinent information.
the additional sessions judge rejected the bail plea
In response to the alarming situation, the relevant
of the director of the University. As soon as the court
institutions got into action. The National Commission
rejected the bail plea, the accused ran away from the
on Human Rights undertook a scoping study to assess
court premises.
the level and nature of harassment cases in universities
More recently, in June 2023, a huge scandal of in Sindh and Balochistan. The Federal Ombudsperson
“objectionable” videos and pictures along with Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment
drug peddling was uncovered at Islamia University, (FOSPAH) along with the provincial Ombudspersons,
Bahawalpur. As many as 5500 recordings featuring gave a strong statement (see below). The NCSW
hundreds of female students were recovered from also including this issue in its Charter of Demands on
two mobile phones of the University’s Chief Security ending gender-based violence.
Officer. Moreover, the police also found drugs, and
reported that there are more than 100 students in the Harassment in Public Spaces
university who have become drug addicts. A special The harassment of women in public spaces is
report by the police found that a group of teachers widespread in Pakistan and found to be one of the
at the university was involved in drug dealing and major reasons restricting the mobility of women and
sexual exploitation of female students and teachers. girls. There are few laws or policies in place to prevent
It was revealed that in lieu of giving marks to the girls, and address harassment in public spaces, neglected
they were asked to make videos and send them to the mainly due to strong patriarchal footprint and element
Security Officer. This was done for recruitment to any of honor in the community.
post in the university as well. The teachers would then
A study conducted by UN Women found that 8 out of
blackmail the girls and implicate them in drugs, with
10 (83% precisely) women and girls in selected cities
the help of the security in-charge.
of Pakistan reported that they felt unsafe outdoors,
The administration of the institute said that this was specifically in markets and park.116 Certain reasons
being done under a conspiracy against the university, were reported by women and girls that contribute
and the Vice Chancellor wrote to the Inspector to their not feeling safe in public places, such as lack
General of Police (IGP), requesting him to constitute of security, over crowdedness, and presence of more
a high-level inquiry team to investigate the arrests. men as compared to women. Obscene gestures,
“IUB is following zero tolerance policy for the use of stalking, whistling, staring, passing sexual comments,
contraband drugs as well as sexual harassment or touching and groping were the most frequent types of

116. Women’s Safety Audit in Public Places (2020), UN Women, Pakistan.

87 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 88
 harassment faced by women. Overall, an astounding the unit is understaffed, lacks capacity, and has very
85% of women in selected districts in Pakistan few female staff members [72]. Further, branches
reported that they experienced harassment at public are needed across the country to deal speedily and
places. The report revealed that markets and transport effectively with the cases that are happening without
stands/ stops were the most unfriendly public places geographical boundaries.
for women and girls.

Similarly, UN Women’s Women Safety Audit

5.3. Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding
implemented in Lahore found that:117
VAWG
• About 82% of women commuters report facing Perception of violence and abuse is greatly influenced
harassment at bus stops, with higher rates among by deeply entrenched patriarchal socio-cultural norms
younger women (20–29 years of age) than older and prevalent practices, leading to significant gaps
women. in the understanding of VAWG and its normalization
• About 62% of women state that fellow passengers within society. These factors limit women’s ability to
have harassed them. recognize most forms of violence as a violation of
their human rights and a crime according to the law
A policy finding of these studies is that sex-
of the land, which contributes to their underreporting
disaggregated data on women and girls using public
[74]. The low recognition of VAWG also encourages a
transport is not currently available. This limits gender-
socio-cultural value system in which women internalize
sensitive and targeted policies and actions.
patriarchal values that propagate discrimination and
violence against them and even take part in violent
Cyber Violence
acts against other, mostly weaker women.
During the last decade or so, the cyber sphere has
surfaced as a major place where women are routinely According to official figures, except for the province
subjected to harassment, entailing but not limited to of Balochistan, an overall higher percentage of women
threats, abuse, and trolling. The outbreak of COVID-19 (age 15-49 years) reported that the beating of a wife
also led to increased incidents of all forms of violence, by her husband was justified.118 For instance, 59% of
including online, as perpetrators had more time at ever-married women compared to 53% of their male

hand to be present on digital platforms. The latest counterparts responded that the beating of a wife by

statistics reveal a surge in abuse and harassment cases her husband was justified in certain cases.

in online spaces in 2021. During the same period, the Across provinces, a higher percentage of women
expansion in access to services also increased in the respondents from KP justified the beating of women
number of reported incidents [72]. (Figure 65). For instance, 47% of women (age 15-49

One of the major factors behind high levels of cyber years) from KP reported that the beating of a wife

violence and harassment is that the perpetrators by her husband was justified if she went out without

operate anonymously and are hard to hold telling him, as opposed to 16% in Punjab, 20% in Sindh,

accountable. Available data shows that 68% of the and 26% in Balochistan. Other reasons women gave

individuals targeted by online harassers were women, to justify beating by husbands included neglecting

and majority of the perpetrators were men [73]. The children, arguing with the husband, refusing to have

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has a dedicated sex with him, and burning food. Again, a higher

cybercrime wing to deal with such cases; however, percentage of women from KP compared to other

117. Women’s Safety Audit in Public Places, UN Women 2020, https://pakistan.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2021/03/womens-

safety-audit-in-public-places
118. See details in Annex Table 5.5

89 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

provinces felt that such behavior was justified.119 Analogous acceptability pattern towards violence has been
observed at the national level, where a higher percentage of females compared to males justified wife-beating for
the reasons detailed above [75].

Figure 65: Justifications given by women (aged 15-49) for wife beating by province (%)

Source: Various issues of provincial MICS Reports

The Punjab Economic and Social Wellbeing Survey 2018 [40] documents the responses of women who justified the
beating of a wife by her husband for reasons other than those noted in the 2017-18 Punjab MICS report (Figure 66).

Figure 66: Justifications by women (aged 15-64) in Punjab for wife-beating (%)

Source: PESW Survey 2018

119. See details in Annex Table 5.5

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 90

 The behavior of a husband or intimate partner in a relationship is a crucial aspect that influences a woman’s choices
in life. Such behavior also indicates the level or lack of freedom a woman enjoys for making her own decisions. The
depiction of such controlling behaviors also exhibits deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and values. The Pakistan
Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 recorded women’s responses regarding controlling behaviors shown by
their husbands/ intimate partners (Table 24). Across provinces, the highest percentage of ever-married women
who reported controlling behavior by their husbands was from Balochistan and the newly merged districts (NMDs
– formerly the Federally Administered Tribal Areas or FATA of KP).

Table 24: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who experienced controlling behavior from spouse by province/ region (%)

Husband Jealous Does not permit Tries to limit Insists on

Province/ Accuses wife of
if she talks to to meet female wife’s contact knowing where
Region unfaithfulness
other men friends with family she is all the time

National 20 6.6 10 6.0 14

ICT 29 5.2 15 9.2 16

Balochistan 32 15 23 12 40

KP 24 4.9 14 9.4 25

Punjab 23 6.7 9.3 5.7 11

Sindh 7.2 4.3 5.2 3.0 7.5

FATA 42 21 25 2.9 37
Source: PDHS 2017-18

5.4. Consequences of Violence and Help-Seeking Behavior

Women reported various injuries incurred due to the incidents of violence. Of the total women who experienced
spousal physical abuse, 26% reported having sustained injuries. Body cuts, bruises, or body aches were the most
common forms (23%), followed by women who faced injuries to the eye, sprains, and dislocations (Table 25). 48%
of women reported that they sustained injuries; however, these percentages need to be analyzed carefully due to
the small fraction of women respondents to these questions.

Table 25: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who had injuries due to Table 25: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who
had injuries due to spousal violence (%) spousal violence (%)

Injuries Physical Sexual Physical or Sexual

Cuts, bruises, or aches 23 45 22

Eye injuries, sprains, dislocations, or burns 13 31 12

Deep wounds, broken bones, broken teeth 6.4 16 6.2

Source: PDHS 2017-18

91 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

About 30% of the women sought help to stop the 5.5. Access to Justice
violence, 14% never sought help but told someone, Strengthening the rule of law is a significant goal for
while the remaining 56% never sought help nor told governments, development partners, businesses, civil
anyone. In rural areas, 60% of the survivors of violence society organizations, and citizens worldwide [77].
as opposed to 50% in urban areas never sought help Access to justice is the basic principle of the rule of
or told anyone to stop the violence (Figure 67). A law. UNDP defines access to justice as “the ability of
large majority of women sought help from family only, people to seek and obtain a remedy through formal
whereas a small fraction reported the violence to the or informal institutions of justice for grievances in
police [75]. compliance with human rights standards.” [78]. Better
access brings more equity in society by protecting
Figure 67: Help-seeking among married women (aged 15-
the rights of all citizens, especially underprivileged
49) who experienced violence (%)
segments who face additional barriers and challenges
in seeking justice and support.

Pakistan has a well-established framework of rights

for its citizens, as guaranteed by its Constitution,
laws, and national and international commitments.
For example, Articles 1 to 6 of the Constitution define
the parameters of no exploitation and enforcement.
Similarly, Subsequent articles clearly outline the
fundamental rights of citizens, including their right to
a fair trial (Article 10A), freedom of speech (Article
19), equality of citizens (Article 25), and safeguarding
against discrimination in services (Article 27). The local
Source: PDHS 2017-18
commitments adopted include Gender Equality Policy
Several factors at play discourage women from Frameworks and Women’s Empowerment Packages
reporting violence. For instance, of the women who and Initiatives at the provincial level. In addition, as
did not seek help, 24% believed that the violence mentioned earlier, Pakistan is a signatory to many
was not serious, 9% feared further violence, 12% did international commitments to gender equality and
not want to bring a bad name to the family, 15% were women’s human rights.
embarrassed, and 8% feared their marriage would end.
In spite of this framework, the Rule of Law situation
In South Asian countries, socio-demographic factors
is not ideal in Pakistan as it ranks 129 out of 140
also influence a woman’s decision to seek help [76].
countries as measured by the Rule of Law Index 2022,
In addition, the Women safety audit report shows that
with a score of 0.39 (Table 26). Among six south Asian
the response of the family members towards incidence
countries, Pakistan stands at fifth position.
of harassment meted out to female family members
was very disheartening. Further, the family choose to
ignore the incidence of harassment and considered it
as part and parcel of living in a patriarchal community.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 92

 Table 26: Pakistan’s performance on the Rule of Law Index 2022

Indicator Regional rank Income rank Global rank

Constraints on Government Powers 4/6 15/38 91/140

Absence of Corruption 5/6 27/38 118/140
Open Government 4/6 19/38 102/140
Fundamental Rights 4/6 29/38 123/140

Order and Security 5/6 38/38 139/140

Regulatory Enforcement 5/6 32/38 127/140

Civil Justice 4/6 31/38 125/140

Criminal Justice 4/6 21/38 97/140

- Regional rank is the ranking among 6 South Asian Countries

- Income rank is the ranking among 35 low-middle-income countries

Source: Rule of Law Index Report, 2022

The reasons for this are multifarious and deep-rooted. and settled informally, after which both the parties
In low and lower-middle income countries such as settle the matter in courts. The fact that most formal
Pakistan, the formal justice system often does not supply-side actors, including lawyers, judges, and law
work adequately, largely due to poor institutional and enforcement officials, lack gender-sensitive, survivor-
legal frameworks, systems and processes. The existing centric attitudes and mindsets as well as subject-
formal justice system of Pakistan is weak, inefficient, specific training, especially on the recently enacted
and insufficient for catering to the needs of citizens. laws, further propels citizens to turn to informal justice
An inclusive vision to link the justice system with systems, which are more accessible and speedy, but
citizens’ social and economic security is missing and often violate the rights of underprivileged groups,
lacks a solid foundation and implementation of the including women, minorities, and the poor due to
principles of equity and equality and the laws and socio-cultural influences and norms. Women also face
legal mechanisms devised to ensure these. In addition, the issue of lack of information and inclusion in the
judicial procedures can be time-consuming and costly. informal justice system to be able to protect their
As a result, vulnerable groups have poor access to the rights. As a result, they often become the victims
formal system, and informal justice systems are widely of harmful local customs such as Swara, Vani, Karo
used to bridge this gap. Kari, marriage to the Quran, dowry/ bride price and
ghag. Over time, trends show that the informal justice
In many parts of the country, the informal justice
system has been losing its usefulness due to changes
system mainly deals with minor crimes, civil disputes,
in societal dynamics – in particular, youth, educated
and family matters. Almost 90% of the disputes that are
segments and urban citizens have less faith in them.
formally resolved through courts are also negotiated

93 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Case Study: Tabassum Adnan, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

“God has not made us as weak as we have made ourselves.”

Tabassum Adnan lives in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

province and is the founder of the first women’s jirga (Council of Tribal
Leaders) in Pakistan. She has been fighting for the elimination of
harmful practices such as “honour” killings, acid attacks and domestic
violence. She received the U.S. State Department’s International
Women of Courage Award in 2015 for her efforts in seeking justice for
Pakistani women. This is her story.

“My husband was around 20-22 years older than me. I shared my
concern with my family and there was a lot of uproar… I got a divorce,
but afterwards, no one in my family showed any support and my brother didn’t contact me for over
three months.” That did not stop Tabassum and right after her divorce, she began working in a local
organization.

“I attended sessions on advocacy on social issues like polio and healthcare, and started sitting with
other women of my community to discuss their problems. They all shared their tragic stories with
me, and I realized that I am not alone in my struggles, and domestic violence is widespread. Initially, I
advised them, “Let’s forgive the perpetrators.” As I said this, a woman stood up and exclaimed, “How
can I forgive a person who threw acid on my daughter that burned 70 percent of her body? Nobody
took action to provide her with treatment, and she died.” When she heard this woman, Tabassum
asked herself that if someone had done the same to her daughter, what would be her reaction? “I was
traumatized by even the mere thought of it. I thought to myself that if someone had done the same to
my daughter, I would have shot him.”

She approached many male-led jirga (councils of tribal leaders) to get justice for women, but none of
them gave an optimistic response. She realized that men resolve family feuds, inheritance, and violence
issues on their own, even those of a severe nature such as murder. They also enforce harmful practices
through the jirga, for example, they “Vani” girls aged 6-12 as compensation to settle disputes or give
their daughter as compensation for blood money. Seeing all the injustices perpetrated by the male
jirgas and not getting the chance to engage with them made her very angry, so she decided to create
a new platform exclusively for women.

“I have carried out significant initiatives for women, such as domestic violence and have succeeded
in getting about 13 girls who were given as Vani back to their homes. I am currently in contact with a
woman who was given as Vani and is now of old age. The things that she told me are heart-wrenching
and make you wonder how so much oppression can be done against a single human being. Now times
are changing, by the grace of God, and due to our efforts, cases of Vani are being reported in our
community.”

A fatwa was issued against Tabassum; they condemned her for normalizing obscenity and indecency
among women by persuading them to come out of their homes. She replied: “You should also give a fatwa
against Hazrat Khadija (the first wife of Prophet Muhammad) because she was also a businesswoman.”

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 94

95 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-06

DECISION-MAKING & AGENCY

“No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan

Women’s empowerment is the process by which they male family members do not permit them.122 In short,
gain power and control over their lives and acquire the the prevalent patriarchal norms exclude women and
ability to make strategic decisions.120 The empowerment girls from decision-making and expose them to further
and autonomy of a woman are linked with decision- deprivation, such as child marriage and poor access to
making powers related to her life, including on health, resources.123
education, career, mobility, marriage, asset ownership,
This chapter outlines women’s decision-making
etc. Pakistan’s Vision 2025 has women’s empowerment
regarding their education, healthcare, paid employment,
as one of its main objectives and includes the following
control over earnings, marriage, contraception, and
five components:
their involvement in household decisions on purchases,
i. activities that promote women’s self-worth; recreational activities, and traveling.
ii. right to determine their choices;
iii. access to opportunities and resources;
6.1. Decision-making on Education
iv. right and power to control their lives; and
Findings indicate that the household head mainly
v. ability to influence social change.121 decides on a woman’s educational attainment or
While every woman has the right to exercise her continuation. Forty-four percent of women (aged 15-
reproductive rights and be protected from violence 49 years) reported that the household head decided
and harmful practices, many women in Pakistan lack regarding their education. Only 12% of women in the
such basic provisions because they depend on others same age cohort could make their own decisions
to make important life decisions. They also require and another 11% said that starting or continuing
permission from parents, husbands, in-laws and/ their education was decided in consultation with a
or other family members to pursue an education or household woman. However, three-fourths rely totally
work. Estimates reveal that 40% of women who are on the household head and other members to decide
not working reported that the main reason is that whether they can study or not (Figure 68).

120. European Institute for Gender Equality

121. UNFPA Pakistan. Women’s Empowerment. Available at https://pakistan.unfpa.org/en/topics/womens-empowerment
122. ADB Briefs (2016). Policy Brief on Female Labor Force Participation in Pakistan
123. UNICEF (2018) Key Drivers of the Changing Prevalence of Child Marriage in Three South Asian Countries.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 96

 Figure 68: Decision regarding education of women by province (%)

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

In Punjab, 17% of women were able to make their own the household (Figure 69). In Balochistan, the lowest
decisions regarding education, while only 2% of women percentage of women reported that they were able to
enjoyed this freedom in KP and Balochistan. Moreover, decide about their participation in paid employment
12% of women in Punjab reported that the decision as opposed to other provinces.
regarding their education was made in consultation
Figure 69: Decision-making on paid employment of
with other women in the household. The results for
women by province (%)
young women (aged 15-29) depict a similar trajectory
as women aged 15-49, where only 9% of young women
at the national level were able to decide themselves
about their educational future and 15% of them were
involved in the decision-making process.124

6.2. Decision-making on Paid Employment

The participation of women in paid employment is one
of the most important aspects of empowering them as
it helps them secure financial independence or make
inroads for it in the long run. Only 12% of women could
decide about their participation in paid employment
and another 11% said that their participation in
paid employment was decided in consultation
with household women. The break-up of results by
provinces indicates that in Punjab 16% of women were
able to decide by themselves, and 11% reported that
it was decided in consultation with other women of Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

124. See details in Annex Table 6.1

97 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Data regarding paid employment of young women 6.3. Decision-making on Marriage
(compared to all women) suggests that only 9% were The decision of a woman’s marriage is one of the most
able to make decisions by themselves, demonstrating critical decisions of her life. Still, unfortunately only a
that they have lower agency and decision-making, tiny fraction of girls or women in Pakistan are allowed
reflecting their status as the most marginalized among to exercise this right. The prevalent gender and socio-
families. Forty-two percent said that household head cultural norms are among the key factors that do not
made the decision, 34% said other household members let women decide about their marriage. One of the
except her made the decision, and 15% reported that the common outcomes of these norms is the societal belief
decision was taken in consultation with the household that “respectable women leave the decision regarding
women (Figure 70). The provincial distribution of their marriage to male family members” [79]. The 2017-
results regarding the decision of women to take up paid 18 Women’s Economic and Social Wellbeing survey
employment shows that women in Punjab have higher in Punjab showed that consent before marriage was
decision-making power than other provinces.125 sought from 47.2% of the women.

Figure 70: Decision-making on paid employment of The HIES 2018-19 shows that overall, only 2% of women
young women (%) (aged 15-49) responded that they were able to decide
about their marriage by themselves, and 14% reported
that it was decided in consultation with the household
women (Table 27). A whopping 84% of women (aged
15-49) said that other household members took their
marriage decision.

Across provinces, Balochistan had the lowest percentage

of women (6%) reporting that the decision was made
by themselves or in consultation with other women of
the household. Further, the statistics for young women
(15-29) are very similar, showing no significant change
over recent years.
Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Table 27: Decision-making regarding women’s marriage by province (%)

Other HH members In consultation with

Woman herself Head of HH alone
Province except the woman HH women
Women (age 15-49)
National 2 31 53 14
Balochistan 1 57 37 5
KP 2 47 47 4
Punjab 2 25 55 18
Sindh 1 28 57 14
Young Women (age 15-29)
National 1 30 53 16
Balochistan 1 56 38 5
KP 2 45 48 5
Punjab 1 24 54 21
Sindh 1 27 59 13
Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

125. See details in Annex Table 6.2

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 98

 6.4. Decision-making on Reproductive Health A meager percentage of women (3 to 6%) in all
and Fertility the provinces hold the decision powers regarding
A woman needs be able to make decisions about her contraceptive methods; however, a significant
health, including reproductive health, because these percentage of husbands are involved in such decisions
decisions have life-changing impacts on her and her in all the provinces, except in Balochistan, where
family’s health and well-being. The health and survival around half of the ever-married women reported that
of her children are at stake here as the likelihood of a no one decides on such matters.126 Besides awareness,
child reaching the age of five increases by more than the other challenges in Balochistan could be the
one-third when its mother can space her pregnancies traditionally conservative society, poverty, more desire
by three or more years [80]. Further, she can limit or for children, and lack of good communication between
space her children. In that case, she can devote more married couples.
attention and resources to herself and her family and Despite various efforts by the government, NGOs and
livelihood and skill enhancement opportunities. development partners, there has been no improvement
Of all married women (aged 15-49), 65% informed that in contraceptive use in the last decade; 26% of the
the husband and wife jointly decided on the use of women used a modern method in 2012-13 compared
birth control; 9% reported that it was decided by the 25% in 2017-18. Resultantly, the fertility rate continues
husband alone, while only 4% of women themselves to remain high. The mean ideal number of children is
were able to decide (Figure 71). Interestingly, as many 3.9 for women and 4.3 for men. It has changed little for
as 21% of women informed that nobody decided to use women since 1990-91 when it was 4.1.
birth control at all, which reflects that these matters With regard to having children, only 3% of married
are often not discussed, the reasons for which could women (aged 15-49) said that women themselves
be lack of information, hesitation, and socio-cultural make this decision. In comparison, 63% reported
norms that make such matters taboo. that it was decided jointly by the husband and wife,
and another 8% reported that it was decided by the
Figure 71: Decision-making on use of birth control by
married women (%) husband alone (Table 28).

At the national level, 15% reported that having children

was in the hands of God, and 11% said nobody decided
about having children. Across provinces, 2 to 4% of
the women decided themselves about having children,
while 5-9% reported that their husbands alone made
this decision. Results show that women in Balochistan
seem to have less say and negotiation with their
husbands on this matter, while they also consider that
the number and timing of children is God’s will.

The result for young women depicts similar trends

nationally and across provinces. The findings reveal that
traditional family control methods are not workable
in the country without addressing child marriage,
providing education to girls at least till the secondary
level, and ensuring paid employment opportunities for
Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19 women.

126. See details in Annex Table 6.3

99 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Table 28: Decision-making by married women on having children by province (%)

It is in the
Husband Woman
Jointly Others hand of No body Total
Province alone herself
God
Women (aged 15-49)

National 8 3 62 1 15 11 100

Balochistan 8 4 26 1 52 9 100

KP 5 4 62 1 22 6 100

Punjab 9 2 68 1 7 13 100

Sindh 7 2 58 2 19 12 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)

National 8 3 58 1 18 12 100
Balochistan 6 4 24 1 55 10 100

KP 5 4 59 1 23 8 100

Punjab 10 3 64 1 9 13 100

Sindh 6 2 53 2 24 13 100

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

It is pertinent to note that overall, 69% of the women Household purchases

are involved in decisions regarding birth control, while Overall, 50% of women (aged 15-49) responded that
66% are involved in the decision regarding having they made decisions about purchasing of food items
children. This implies that more than two-thirds of or that it was made in consultation with household
women had no say in decisions that directly impacted women (Figure 72). Province-wise, women in Punjab
their health, future, and survival. have comparatively more decision-making power than
the other provinces. Both Balochistan and KP provinces
reflect a customarily conservative society where
6.5. Decision-making on Major Purchases, the household head and other household members
Health, and Travel exercise such powers and exclude the women (84%
Women’s involvement in household purchases has and 71% respectively).127
been relatively visible compared to their voice in crucial
Looking at decisions regarding purchase of clothing,
decision-making regarding education, employment,
60% said that the woman decided herself or in
marriage, health/ reproduction, purchase of property,
consultation with other women of the household, the
and control over cash. This dichotomy reflects the
highest number found in Punjab (68%).128
prevailing socio-cultural norms that confine women’s
role to a typical housewife who is assumed to manage
homemaking, cooking, and caregiving.

127. See details in Annex Table 6.4

128. See details in Annex Table 6.5

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 100

 Figure 72: Decision-making on purchase of food items (%)

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Medical treatment A higher percentage of women from Punjab decided

All women need access to high-quality care throughout about getting medical treatment either themselves
their lives, especially during pregnancy, and during (17%) or in consultation with other women from the
and after childbirth for their and their child’s survival family (30%). In contrast, the percentage of women
and health. Maternal health and newborn health are who made these decisions in Balochistan was very low
closely linked - when mothers are malnourished or ill (1% and 6% respectively). Among young women, 7% at
or receive inadequate maternity care, their children the country level decided on their medical treatment
also face high risks of disease and death. For this, they themselves, while 36% decided in consultation with
require a level of agency, mobility and decision-making; other women from the household.130
however, Pakistani women are mostly dependent on
Recreation and travel
their husbands and other family members even for
seeking medical treatment. Twelve percent of the Recreation is vital in releasing stress and maintaining
women themselves decided about getting medical good physical and mental health. However, women are
treatment in case of any health issue, 17% said the not encouraged to participate in recreational activities
household head decided alone and 28% said it was or travel for several reasons, including restrictions on
decided in consultation with other women from the dress code, household responsibilities, and limited
family (Figure 73). The majority of the women (42%) outdoor opportunities [81]. There is a stark absence
said that other household members except the woman of recreational facilities catered to women in most of
decided whether or not she would receive medical the country – sports fields, stadiums, gymnasiums,
treatment. 129 swimming pools, and parks for women and girls are
almost non-existent except in big cities.

129. See details in Annex Table 6.6

130. See details in Annex Table 6.6

101 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 73: Decision-making regarding medical treatment (%)

Apart from the lack of such facilities, women are over economic resources and power dynamics within
often not consulted in the decisions regarding their the family. In serious matters like marriage and fertility,
participation in recreational activities or travel. For women have less say in the decision-making process,
instance, 35% of women reported that the woman and the challenges are greater for rural women.
herself or in consultation with other household women
made this decision, while for the remaining 65% of
6.6. Property and Inheritance
women, the head of the household or other household
members made these decisions (Table 29). In the Holy Quran, Allah almighty says: For men, there
is a share in what their parents and close relatives
The results across provinces reveal that the lowest leave, and for women, there is a share in what their
percentage of women (1%) from Balochistan were parents and close relatives leave—whether it is little
involved in the decisions regarding recreation and travel or much. Furthermore, section 498 A of the Pakistan
and these results were similar for young women (5%). penal code states that whoever by deceitful or illegal
In a nutshell, a woman’s involvement in domestic means deprives any woman of inheriting any movable
decision-making is an essential aspect of her agency or immovable property at the time of the opening of
and autonomy that has implications for other areas of succession shall be punished with imprisonment for
her life [82]. Our analysis of women’s involvement in day- either description for a term which may extend to ten
to-day matters, demographic behavior and recreation years but not be less than five years, or with a fine
reveals that looking at the more conventional areas of of one million rupees or both. It shows that the law
decision-making (i.e., purchase of food, clothing, etc.) is very clear about women’s inheritance rights, but its
do not adequately reflect women’s autonomy, control practical implementation is always a question mark.131

131. https://dailytimes.com.pk/987818/status-of-womens-inheritance-rights-in-pakistan/

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 Table 29: Decision-making regarding recreation/ travel by province (%)

Other HH
Head of HH In consultation
Woman herself Members except Total
Province alone with HH women
the woman
Women (aged 15-49)

National 9 19 46 26 100

Balochistan 1 61 33 5 100

KP 7 26 41 26 100

Punjab 13 11 47 29 100

Sindh 3 22 50 25 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)

National 1 61 31 7 100
Balochistan 5 20 42 33 100

KP 6 27 39 28 100

Punjab 6 13 42 39 100

Sindh 2 22 49 27 100
Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Still, most of the women in Pakistan denied their DHS reveals that 97% of women did not inherit land
inheritance rights. The reasons are multiple, including or a house, while 1% each inherited agricultural land
limited bargaining power in family, rigid cultural norms and a house. Less than 1% of women inherited non-
and lack of awareness on inheritance rights and the agricultural plots or residential plots. Among those
law governing inheritance. As a result, they lack the women who own a house, 43% have ownership of a
knowledge necessary to file a lawsuit against male title or deed and only 36% can independently sell it.
family members. Some women willfully disregard their Evidence suggests that if women are given greater
right to have a positive connection with their brothers property rights, including decision-making power over
because they are aware that if they ask for property, property, it can in turn increase their bargaining power
there is a potential for creating hostility, which they do within the household, which contributes to their overall
not want. Likewise, men maintain pressure on women empowerment.133
to renounce their rights in some areas of Pakistan
A long journey lies ahead to empower the women and
where women are oppressed and strongly controlled
involve them in decision-making processes, but it can
by men. The nation’s court system is also extremely
be achieved through building their self-confidence and
expensive and lengthy.132
capacities, strengthening their knowledge about their
Women’s ownership and control over assets (i.e., land) rights, and providing mechanisms to exercise their
must be more present in the country. The 2017-18 rights [83].

132. https://dailytimes.com.pk/987818/status-of-womens-inheritance-rights-in-pakistan/
133. CGIAR (2014) Women’s Individual and Joint Property Ownership: Effects on Household Decision making

103 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 104
105 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-07

CITIZENSHIP & POLITICAL

PARTICIPATION
“As a woman leader, I thought I brought a different kind of leadership. I was interested
in women’s issues, in bringing down the population growth rate... as a woman, I entered
politics with an additional dimension – that of a mother.”
Benazir Bhutto, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan

Article 7 of CEDAW focuses on women’ participation adequate participation of women in the political sphere.
in public and political life. It states that the member The major factors hindering women’s participation in
states shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate the political sphere, as members of the parliament,
discrimination against women in the political and candidates, political workers, or voters include low
public life and shall ensure them, on equal terms with levels of literacy; patriarchal mindset limiting their
men, the right to vote in all elections and to be eligible mobility, decision-making and advancement; financial
for election to all publicly elected bodies, participate constraints; lack of opportunities; barriers against
in the formulation of government policy and the participation in political/ leadership activities; lack of
implementation thereof and to hold public office and support from political parties and leadership; violence
perform all public functions at all levels of government. and harassment in the public and private spheres;
In the twelve areas focused by the Beijing Declaration, and disproportionate share of responsibilities for the
‘women in power and decision-making’ is one of the family and home.
core areas to be addressed by member states.
Women’s political participation is restricted by outright
Various provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan patriarchal norms of power-sharing in the political
also affirm the state’s commitment to reduce gender sphere, which have repercussions at various levels, i.e.,
disparity and encourage women to play an active individual, family, community, and the state. Central
role in all walks of life. Articles 25 and 26 of the to the role of women in politics is their dependence
Constitution of Pakistan guarantee the equality of all on male counterparts-cum-powerbrokers, resulting in
citizens and equal access to public places without patron-client networks that reduce their agency and
any discrimination on the basis of sex. Article 34 power. Discrimination and exclusion of women lead
states that all measures should be taken to ensure full to marginalization based on gender which is further
participation of women in all spheres of life.134 exacerbated due to intersectional identities based
on variations in religion, sect, age, socio-economic
Despite these commitments and legal provisions, there
status, disability, or geographical location. Gender
is no doubt that more efforts are needed to ensure

134. Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. (1973). Part I: Chapter 1 and 2. Retrieved November 24, 2021. https://na.gov.pk/uploads/
documents/1333523681_951.pdf

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 biases against women candidates further influence Figure 74: Children (<5) having birth registration by
low political participation due to patriarchal power province/ region and sex (%)

dynamics. These biases in the value system, prevalent

discourse, socio-cultural practices, and largely dynastic
political party culture reduce women’s meritocratic
consideration and substantive representation in
political roles. Disparities between male and female
candidates are also wide because mostly women are
represented on reserved seats and the perception is
that since they do not have a constituency, therefore
they are not true representatives of the communities.

7.1. Counting Women

A name and nationality are the right of every human Source: Various MICS Reports (2017-18 Punjab, 2016-17 GB, 2018-19
being. Registering children at birth is the first step in Sindh, 2019-20 KP, 2019-20 Balochistan)

securing their rights, as birth certificates are required

Pakistan initiated its National Identity Card (NIC)
to access healthcare and educational services. Having
system in 1973 under Article 30 of the Second
legal identification also serves to protect from early
Amendment. The card was issued manually through
age marriage and child labor.
a hand-written paper form by the Directorate General
Manual birth registration in Pakistan takes place at of Registration (DGR), with the first NIC being that of
the union council level in the handwritten register and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the Prime Minister of the time. The
is free of charge. It does not happen automatically country moved to a Computerized National Identity
when a child is born. Digital Birth Registration (DBR) Card (CNIC) in 2000 after the forming the National
is a promising initiative in Punjab and Sindh provinces, Database & Registration Authority (NADRA). The
which uses facilitators (e.g., lady health workers and CNIC issuance required the applicant to provide the
Nikah registrars) who directly access families with state with digital fingerprint biometrics, thus setting
newborns and use mobile technology to enter data for the stage for the first citizen data warehouse in the
birth registration [14]. country.

Since birth registration is a vital document for school Needless to say, the identity card is one of the most
enrolment, which is increasingly considered an important documents for citizens of Pakistan, and
important factor for a family’s prosperity and socio- for women in particular having a CNIC holds special
economic movement, parents are now more aware of significance. It serves their benefit for obtaining social
the need to register their children, both boys and girls. protection, claiming inheritance, studying or working
No significant gender differences in birth registration in the formal sector, voting, and legal matters. For
were found across the country. However, disparities instance, if a woman does not have a CNIC, it is pretty
can be seen by province, rural-urban location, as well easy to forge land records to exclude her name from
as wealth quintiles. The country is far behind universal the list of legal heirs of a property to benefit the male
birth registration; it is as low as 19% in GB, 30% in KP, members of the family [84]. Still, over a quarter of
34% in Sindh, 44% in Balochistan, and 75% in Punjab women in the country do not hold a CNIC, and the
(Figure 74). The lower birth registration in Sindh is situation is worst in Balochistan’s rural areas (Figure
mainly due to the lower registration in rural areas 75). Significant gender gaps in holding CNICs prevail
(16.8%) as compared to the urban areas (55.2%) in both the rural and urban areas in all the provinces.135

135. See details in Annex Table 7.1

107 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Figure 75: Women (aged 18+) having a NIC (%)

Source: Population Census 2017-18

7.2 Women Voters – the Missing Women in the political process in general and elections in
Looking at voter registration, several provisions in the particular. The lack of CNICs closes a whole set of
Elections Act of 2017 protect women’s right to vote, opportunities for women’s role in public life besides
contest elections, participate actively in politics. Before registration as voters [11]. A recent report by the ECP
its enactment, the Representation of the Peoples Act mentioned several reasons for women not having
(ROPA) 1976 also provided substantial assurances CNICs, including lack of mobility, limited access to
to create a conducive environment for women to NADRA centers, financial constraints, and low interest
participate in political and electoral processes actively. among households to register women and girls for
However, as per Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) citizenship documents [85]. Other barriers to low
data, a gap of 10% exists between male and female registration of women include lack of awareness,
voters in the electoral rolls. The country’s total number NADRA’s procedural constraints, and insufficient
of registered voters are 124.8 million – out of which infrastructure, including an inadequate number of
68.0 million (55%) are males and 56.7 million (45%) are mobile registration vans to reach women in remote
females, leaving 10 million missing women voters. The areas.
highest gender gap is recorded in Balochistan and the Despite the efforts of the ECP, NADRA, civil society
lowest in Islamabad (Table 30). organizations and other actors, millions of women are
Under-registration of women is one of the most still deprived of their voting rights. There is a need
significant factors behind their limited participation to accelerate women’s CNIC registration campaign

Table 30: Breakdown of voters by province (number & %)

Province Male Voters Female Voters Total

ICT 495,901 53% 442,381 47% 938,282

Balochistan 2,937,404 57% 2,231,489 43% 5,168,893

KP 11,763,284 55% 9,552,987 45% 21,316,271

Punjab 38,485,077 54% 32,617,645 46% 71,102,722

Sindh 14,348,200 55% 11,878,977 45% 26,227,177

Total 68,029,866 55% 56,723,479 45% 124,753,345

Source: Election Commission of Pakistan Website (January 30, 2023).

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 108

 by making procedures easier, improving NADRA’s Figure 76: Voter turnout in National & Provincial Elections
infrastructure, especially the number of mobile 2018 by sex (%)

registration vans that conduct outreach to women,

and involving a wide range of stakeholders who
influence the social norms for giving due importance
to registration. Enhancing registration is crucial for this
and the next step is encouraging women to exercise
their right to vote.

7.3. Voter Turnout

A strong legal framework exists for ensuring women’s
participation in electoral processes, and the strict
enforcement of this law is imperative in all elections.
The Elections Act 2017 provides several provisions
that protect and promote women’s right to vote. For
example:

• Section 9 of the Act empowers ECP to declare

Source: Election Commission of Pakistan

polling void at one or more polling stations or in

the whole constituency if the turnout of women
Women’s low turnout is not limited to rural areas, as
voters is less than 10%.
is usually believed. Surprisingly, the largest city in
• Section 12 emphasizes launching public awareness each province had lower women’s turnout in the 2018
campaigns to promote the electoral participation elections as compared to the rest of the province. The
of women. difference was highest in Punjab, where the gender
• Section 91 requires ECP to publish gender- gap in women’s turnout was 12.5% in Lahore – double
disaggregated data on voter turnout for each that of the rest of the province (6.3%). Contrary to
polling station. It also authorizes the presiding expectations, as found by a study “…women’s electoral
officers to, at any stage during the polling day participation is 8.5% lower in big cities compared to
(during or after polling), prepare and send a rural areas and this is mirrored by a higher gender
special report to the authorities if they have reason gap in participation in this context. In big cities, we
to believe that women voters have been restrained do not find support for theories that suggest women’s
from exercising their right to vote based on any increased political participation is linked to a fall in
express or implied agreement. the burden of care work, an increase in women’s
intra-household bargaining power, and their entry
Lack of data on women voters’ turnout remained a
into the paid labor force. The gender gap in political
huge challenge for decades. However, in the 2018
participation is higher in big cities even though
general elections, ECP released data on women’s
urban women do much better on all these indicators
turnout in national and provincial elections for the
compared to their rural counterparts” [10].
first time. Women’s turnout for National Assembly
elections remained at 40%, while for men the turnout In a study to identify reasons for women’s low level
was 60% (Figure 76). of voting in comparison with men, it was found that

109 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

“by far the most common responses for why there is but only in potentially weak and losing constituencies.
a gender gap in voting had to do with women’s sense The number of women winning elections on general
of citizenship and civic responsibility, and the ways seats remained abysmally low and there has been no
in which these have been eroded by the fact that improvement over the last two decades.136
women feel invisible to politicians and political parties.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Pakistan
Responses to this effect far outweighed issues of a lack
ranks 115th out of 190 countries in terms of representation
of knowledge or being unfamiliar with the electoral
of women in national parliaments.137 In spite of the fact
process, though these also exist.”[16] Patriarchal values,
that Pakistan has had a woman prime minister twice
social norms, and to some extent election day logistics
(first-ever in the Muslim world) and a woman speaker
and limited knowledge about election systems are also
of the National Assembly, patriarchal notions of power-
reasons for women voting less than men. While males
sharing and decision-making unfavorably influence
become the gatekeepers for women’s agency to vote,
institutional structures at all levels, restricting women’s
voting turnout of women in urban city centers (as
meaningful representation.
compared to rural constituencies) has reduced over
the past 2 electoral cycles. Senate, National and Provincial Assemblies
In the past, there have been incidents where women If parliaments and democratic fora are to truly reflect
have been disenfranchised. At the local level, certain the voices of the constituents they represent, women
agreements were signed between local powerbrokers need to be proportionately represented according to
that barred women from voting in particular the size of the population. In 2002, Pakistan increased
constituencies. Political parties must avoid such women’s representation to 17% through a quota of
instances and actively encourage women to use their reserved seats, above the world average of about
right to vote. 15% at that time, a quantum leap that brought forth
many opportunities to enhance women’s participation,
leadership, and voice. Before this change, the
7.4. Women’s Representation representation of women in the parliament remained a
As a result of continuous advocacy for women’s dismal single digit (6 or 2.8% in the assembly of 1999).138
representation, the percentage of women in national In the 2018 Parliament, 20.2% of seats (69 out of 342)
and provincial legislatures has become a standard were held by women in the National Assembly (lower
measure of a country’s achievements. Globally, the house), while 19.2% in the Senate (upper house)139,
average has inched upward, but is still far from which is largely due to affirmative action through the
reflecting the real share of women in society. In quota system.
Pakistan, despite considerable gains, women have
Mostly, women members of the National Assembly
traditionally remained under-represented in the face
have been elected through the reserved seats allocated
of systemic challenges to take up positions in the
by this system, and a similar situation is apparent in
political and public sphere. The general elections
the provincial assemblies. Women who are nominated
2018 substantiated that a legislative framework is not
on reserved seats are mostly from provincial capitals.
enough – political parties failed to distribute party
Hence, the reserved seats for women are not completely
tickets fairly for women to contest on general seats.
representative women of all constituencies. Looking
To abide by the law, tickets were awarded to women,

136. See details in Annex Table 7.2

137. Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments, Inter-Parliamentary Union, October 2021; https://data.ipu.org/women-
ranking?month=10&year=2021
138. Women’s Representation in Pakistan’s Parliament, Pildat 2004; https://www.pildat.org/publications/Publication/women/
WomenRepresentationInPakistanParliament.pdf
139. Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Women in National Parliaments’; http://archive.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 110

 at women on general seats, the number remained Local Government (LG)
dismally low (single digits) until the elections of 2002, There was a crucial breakthrough in Pakistan with
when it jumped more than double to 14 from the regard to women’s representation in local governments
previous assembly number of 6. Since that exponential at the beginning of the new millennium. In the year
change, unfortunately, the situation has remained the 2000, a significant development took place when
same, rather shown a downward trend in the previous the Devolution Plan 2000 redesigned the political
two election cycles (Table 31). It must be pointed out landscape of Pakistan, especially at the grassroots
that 8 out of the 9 women elected on general seats in level through a reformatory policy intervention under
the 2018 elections, represent rural constituencies. a Local Government Order. Consequently, a new LG

The Senate of Pakistan has 17 seats reserved for system was implemented on 14 August 2001, after each
of the four provinces passed the Local Government
women, four for each province and one for the federal
Ordinance, 2001.
capital. Hardly any women senators currently serve
on the general seats – a notable exception is Sherry This re-orientation of LG politics provided 33%
Rehman from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the reservation of seats for women through a combination
only woman member in the current Senate elected on of direct and indirect elections. After the 18th
a general seat. Constitutional Amendment, provincial governments
were responsible for establishing a local governance
system and devolving political, administrative, and
Table 31: Women in the National Assembly over time
financial authority to the elected representatives
Tenure of Reserved General of the local governments. The current LG laws in
Total
Assembly Seats Seats each province hold provisions related to women’s
participation at the local level, and seats reserved for
1955-1958 0 0 0
women range from 14% to 33% across the provinces.
1962-1965 6 2 8
As a result of this change, around 36,000 women
1965-1969 6 0 6
entered the system as councilors at the union, tehsil,
1972- 1977 6 0 6 and district council levels. Women’s agency as voters,
March-July 1977 10 1 11 party workers/ officials, canvassers, and above all as
candidates, was recognized at a massive level for the
1985-1988 20 2 22
first time. The following LG elections in 2005 reduced
1988-1990 20 4 24 the actual number (not the percentage) of women
1990-1993 0 2 2 councilors as the size of the union councils was
reduced.
1993-1996 0 4 4
Despite the overall critique of the legitimacy of this
1997-1999 0 6 6
system since it was introduced under a military
2002-2007 60 14 74 regime, there is no denying that this system served
2008-2013 60 16 76 as a nursery for future women political leaders [86].
The experience in local governments from 2001 to
2013-2018 60 10 70
2010 allowed women councilors to train themselves in
2018 to date 60 9 69 politics, enhance their communication and leadership
Source: Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and National Assembly of skills, and connect with each other to address the
Pakistan
issues faced by their communities. After some initial
reluctance, women councilors took great interest in
councils’ business and learned a great deal about it. It
also helped address gender segregation in the political
realm at the local level, recognizing the potential of the

111 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

most vulnerable people, including women [87]. This is an urgent need for effective local governments with
foundational experience was a key factor due to which effective women’s representation. Forging vertical
several women councilors went on to be members of alliances of women politicians from members of
provincial and national assemblies in the elections of parliament to councilors, and horizontal alliances
2008 and 2013. with local departments, institutions, women’s rights
organizations and networks as well as communities
The previous decade saw a rollback in local
can be a very helpful approach to collectively raising
governments in that this tier of representation has
voices and exercising women’s agency to demand
largely remained non-functional for various reasons.
their political rights [15].
This has compromised women’s representation. There

Case Study: Kamla Bheel, Mithi, Sindh

“Women in my caste are a minority within a minority. Being a woman from a minority in politics means
breaking barriers with every step and shattering glass ceilings that
were never meant to be broken,” says Kamla Bheel, General Secretary
of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Women Wing, Mirpurkhas
Division, Sindh, Pakistan.

Born into the Bheel community, a scheduled caste in the city of

Mithi Sindh Pakistan, Kamla experienced firsthand the hurdles faced
by women in her community. In a society where women were often
pushed to the sidelines, she fought against prevailing beliefs and
resistance, both within her own family and in the broader community.

“Even within my own family, I faced resistance. The prevailing belief was that daughters should focus
on getting married rather than pursuing academic aspirations. My father’s belief in the importance of
education played a crucial role in my own educational journey and fueled my determination to make a
difference for other women in our community.”

Kamla pursued her studies and earned a bachelor’s degree, defying cultural norms and setting
a powerful example for future generations. In 2003, she joined the Thardeep Rural Development
Programme (TRDP). This chapter of her life marked a nine-year dedication to stirring waves of change
in marginalized communities of Sindh. Through her advocacy and initiatives, Kamla strived to ensure
access to education for every girl in Tharparkar.

While working tirelessly for her community, Kamla recognized the transformative impact she could
have through representation in the public sphere. Understanding that women’s voices need to be heard
and their experiences taken into account in policy and decision-making processes, she joined politics
and became a member of the PPP. Initially, she played the role of an observer, but with time, she found
her own voice and fully embraced the path of political activism. Kamla emerged as an active participant
in forums that championed women’s rights, which fostered a new era of dialogue and engagement. Her
resolute spirit and unwavering dedication eventually saw her assume the mantle of Vice Chairperson
of the District in the local government, making her the first woman in Tharparkar in this role. She
leveraged her position to bridge the gap between the people and district leaders and addressed the
pressing challenges faced by the communities.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 112

 Kamla’s future goals echo her community-centric ethos. She envisages comprehensive needs
assessments to diagnose the hurdles faced by women and aims to address them. Moreover, she holds
a bold ambition—a seat in the National Assembly. This would not just be a personal triumph, but a
beacon of inspiration for the young girls of Sindh, especially those from marginalized communities,
which is what is needed to bring about transformative change. Kamla’s unwavering commitment to her
community, her tireless efforts to empower the marginalized, and her relentless advocacy for women’s
empowerment have solidified her as a powerful catalyst for change.

7.5. Women Representatives’ Participation 7.6. Violence Against Women in the Political
and Inclusion Arena
Although the required representation of women is Violence and harassment against women in public
ensured to a certain level through legislation, their life has increased globally as more and more women
meaningful participation and inclusion in decision- gained access to the political sphere, from the
making remain a persistent challenge, particularly grassroots to the corridors of power. Women voters,
at the provincial level. Two of the four provincial candidates, workers, advocates and office holders
assemblies, and the National Assembly have Women increasingly face gender-based violence in public,
Parliamentary Caucuses (WPCs) to coordinate women private and online spheres because of their role.
parliamentarians’ work. The 2018 National Assembly Being young, from a minority community or from an
had 14 female parliamentary secretaries (out of 39). In opposition party may aggravate the situation and
KP no female MPA was included in the cabinet, while increase the risk. Female politicians, as well as their
in Punjab only 2 females held a ministerial portfolio out families and supporters, routinely face threats and
of 37. intimidation from males from the opposing parties,
and even from their own party members who may feel
Nevertheless, women parliamentarians have
threatened by their increasing power. As a result, they
outperformed their male counterparts, whether
have often been compelled to leave their positions
nominated on reserved seats or elected on general
after receiving death threats, withdrawn from elections
seats. It is important to highlight that with 20%
citing abuse and harassment, and even faced actual
representation in each house of the Parliament, women
violence, including death.
parliamentarians contributed 33% of parliamentary
business in 2018–19. They moved 39 out of 74 private These forms of political and electoral violence are
member bills, 27 out of 100 resolutions, 51 out of 108 often obscured from the public eye, mainly because
Calling Attention Notices, and 561 out of 1772 questions they are kept out of public notice, or normalized due to
in both Houses of Parliament. 140
This substantiates that prevailing gender dynamics. Misogynistic comments,
enabling women’s representation will have positive derogatory remarks, offensive or patronizing language
outcomes for the parliamentary processes as well as used towards women in politics have become the
sustainable impacts on the lives of the people. norm that is seen in public events and rallies, drawing

140. Women Parliamentarians Performance 2018 – 2019, FAFEN 2021; https://fafen.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FAFEN-WOMEN-

Parliamentarians-Performance-Report-2018-19.pdf

113 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

rooms and dialogue forums, and even more so on the outcomes for all, leaving no one behind. However,
media where anchors and talk show hosts benefit from despite the guarantees within Pakistan’s Constitution
greater viewership if they air programs of this kind. and the aspirations of the 2017 Election Act, women’s
Such tactics of intimidation and harassment discourage meaningful representation and participation in the
women from participating in political and leadership political sphere still needs to improve in Pakistan.
roles. A UN Women study on violence against women Favorable changes in the electoral systems and
in politics in South Asia shows that 60% of women do mechanisms, laws and their implementation, and the
not participate in politics due to fear of violence. 141
norms and practices at all levels are required in order
to bring about substantial changes in the status of
These challenges to women’s participation directly
women’s political participation and leadership.
infringe upon their political rights. Given the central
role that national and provincial legislatures have in For this, women engaged in political activities at
formulating, implementing, and monitoring laws and the federal, provincial, and local levels need to be
budgets, they can restrict rights in other areas. As a capacitated to play an active role through enhancing
result, the needs of women, girls and marginalized their position as leaders and making the political arena
groups are under-represented in resource allocation safer for them. Further, they need to be connected to
processes. opportunities for learning from mentors and peers, as
well as equipped with a broader knowledge base for
In sum, increasing the voice and participation of
engaging efficiently in decision-making and political
women in the political sphere impacts legislation, social
spheres, to make them effective channels for raising
and political practices, and the broader narrative of a
the voices and issues of women from the grassroots
country, leading to more sustainable and empowering
level.

141. Violence Against Women in Politics: Study Conducted in India, Nepal, and Pakistan, UN Women, 2014; https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-
library/publications/2014/6/violence-against-women-in-politics#view

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 114

115 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-08

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
“People say I am a genius. I might be one, but I am not the only one. There are many
other Pakistani girls and boys like me. All those gems need is a little bit of polishing.
And I will do it. That’s my aim.”
Arfa Karim (Late), youngest Microsoft certified professional

In today’s digital world, information is for empowering A lack of access to digital technology, including the
women and girls. Information and communication internet and mobile phones, characterizes the gender
technology (ICT) is indispensable for promoting digital divide in Pakistan. Women in Pakistan are 43%
gender equity and equality, particularly in low- less likely to use the internet than men, and only 26%
income countries where women face persistent and of women in Pakistan have internet access compared
systemic discrimination. Women’s equal access to to 47% of men. Furthermore, only 7% of women in
education, technology, and other financial resources rural areas having access to the internet compared to
paves the way for gender equality, empowerment, 20% of men in rural areas.142 In addition, young women
and equitable and sustainable economic growth and and girls are disproportionately exposed to online
development [9]. SDG 5 emphasizes enhancing the violence and harassment, which negatively impacts
use of technology – ICTs in particular – to promote the their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and
women’s empowerment. influences how they access and use digital tools for
the rest of their lives [4].
Limited access to digital technology hampers their
access to educational resources, labor markets, job In Pakistan, gender gap in mobile internet awareness
opportunities, and other economic empowerment has been narrowed from 16% to 11%, and women’s
avenues. This inequality in access to resources makes mobile internet use has nearly been doubled from 10%
them more vulnerable to poverty and also increases to 19%. Despite this progress, mobile phone ownership
their chances of experiencing various forms of violence in Pakistan is still unequal. Only 50% of women own
[88]. Therefore, bridging the digital gender divide a mobile phone compared to 81 percent of men. This
is imperative for creating an enabling environment ratio is equivalent to 22 million fewer women than
where women can harness their economic potential at men owning a mobile phone. Women in Pakistan are
par with their male counterparts [89]. 49% less likely to use mobile internet than men, which

142. World Bank. (2020). Digital Pakistan: Access, Infrastructure, and Digitalisation.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 116

 translates into 12 million fewer women than men using Recognizing the importance of bridging the digital
mobile internet. Smartphone ownership is relatively gender divide, the 67th Session of the Commission
low in Pakistan for men and women [90]. on the Status of Women – the UN’s largest annual
gathering on gender equality and the empowerment
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic across the
of all women and girls – focused on the theme of
world created several challenges for women and
“Innovation and technological change, and education
girls, including connecting, learning, and earning.
in the digital age for achieving gender equality and
This crisis emphasized the importance of technology
the empowerment of all women and girls”. The session
as a solution for women and girls to access essential
successfully closed its two-week long session in March
services and information, communicate for education,
2023, acknowledging the critical role of technology and
stay connected with friends and relatives as a support
innovation in achieving gender equality. The agreed
system, and improve their autonomy and future
conclusions adopted by Member States provide a
prospects. While the pandemic caused dual health
blueprint for all stakeholders, including governments,
and economic crises, it also presented a historic
the private sector, civil society and youth to promote
opportunity to accelerate the digital revolution and
the full and equal participation and leadership of
close the gender gap [91]. In support of this, the UN
women and girls in the design, transformation and
Secretary-General called for a global compact for
integration of digital technologies and innovation
improved digital cooperation.
processes that fulfill the human rights and needs of
women and girls.

117 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

CSW67: Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving
gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls

The session reaffirmed the importance of women and girls’ full, equal and meaningful participation and
leadership in science, technology and innovation, and expressed concern about the limited progress
in closing the gender gap in access to and use of technologies, connectivity, digital literacy and
education. It also expressed grave concern about the continuity and interrelation between offline and
online violence, harassment and discrimination against women and girls and condemned the increase
of such acts.

UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, said: “This year’s Agreed Conclusions are game-changing
and bring forward our vision of a more equal and connected world for women and girls in all their
diversity. It is our job, as we leave here today, to translate them into reality. The ultimate success of
these Agreed Conclusions lies beyond their finalization today, in how we will collectively take them
forward. They bring us a vision of a more equal world. Let us translate them into reality for all women
and girls.”

The Agreed Conclusions guide member states that initiatives to promote innovation, technological
change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality must consider the following:

• Develop digital tools and services to address the needs of all women and girls, across sectors and
geographies, especially for their education, health, economic empowerment and engagement in
public life, and ensure women and girls have access to digital literacy and skills throughout their
life course.

• Mainstream gender in digital policies to remove barriers to equal access for all women and girls,
including those living in poverty, rural, maritime, or remote areas, with disabilities, Indigenous
women and girls, migrant women and girls, and older women.

• Foster a zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence that occurs through or is amplified by
the use of technology and ensure that public and private sector entities prioritize its prevention
and elimination.

• Mainstream a gender perspective in the design of emerging technologies and adopt regulations
to ensure they are subject to adequate safeguards to combat new risks, gender stereotypes and
negative social norms, data privacy breaches, and improve transparency and accountability.

• Promote policies and programs to achieve gender parity in emerging scientific and technological
fields and create supportive workplaces and education settings, including through gender-
responsive education, distance learning solutions, and interdisciplinary approaches combining the
teaching of social sciences and scientific fields.

• Develop gender-responsive innovation that challenges gender stereotypes and negative social
norms, including through the development of digital content, awareness campaigns, and teaching
competencies for positive engagement on digital technologies that engage, educate, encourage
and empowers youth, including young men and boys, to become agents of change for gender
equality.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 118

 Data shows that women are less likely to use smartphones. On the other hand, 70% of women
smartphones, computers, accessing the internet, or having an undergraduate degree or above use a
having an online presence. For women in Pakistan smartphone and only 27% of them use a simple
to become truly empowered and claim their rightful phone.
place in society, these indicators must change. This
• Socio-economic status: Poverty is another factor
section analyses the usage of various ICT tools, i.e.,
influencing the ownership and usage of computers
computers, mobile phones, and the internet among
and mobile phones. On average, women in the
Pakistani women.
fifth wealth quintile have an 18% usage compared
Various socio-demographic factors impact the usage to only 0.1% among women in the lowest quintile.
of modern technologies (computers, mobile phones Knowledge of computer usage increases by the
and internet) among women, including the following: 143
wealth quintile; however, women in the fifth quintile
have comparatively more cultural constraints than
• Age: The usage of computers is four times higher
women in the bottom quintile.144
among young women compared to older women
(age 50 years and above). About mobile ownership, • Location: Urban women have more than three
young women mostly own a smartphone, whereas times higher usage of computers (11%) compared
older women mostly own a simple phone. to rural women (3%), and higher ownership of
mobile phones. The usage of smartphones is
• Education: Women’s education significantly
much lower in rural areas (13%) compared to urban
correlates with their ability to use computers as
centers (32%).
58% of women with a graduate level or above
education are active computer users, compared • Provincial variations: Across provinces, the gender
to 4% for women with matric level education. gap in computer usage is wider in Balochistan
Education has no impact on women’s ownership of and KP. More women use smartphones in Punjab
a simple phone. However, there is a positive trend (23%), followed by Sindh (19%), Balochistan (15%),
between smartphone ownership and education. and KP (14%). Women in rural areas across the
Women having no education mostly use simple provinces have comparatively greater constraints
phones (81%), with only 7% in this cohort using in accessing the internet.145

Government Initiatives

• The Universal Service Fund (USF), a government initiative has provided internet access to 3.3
million people in over 1,000 rural communities, enabling women in these areas to access digital
technology.
• The “Smartphone for All” scheme enables low-income individuals to purchase mobile phones via
easy interest-free installments.
• Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proceeded with the PTA-Huawei MoU for
Affordable Devices and Skills Development.

143. See details in Annex Table 8.1

144. See details in Annex Table 8.2
145. See details in Annex Table 8.2 & 8.3

119 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

8.1. Computer Usage
Table 32: Reasons for not using computer by sex (%)
Women in Pakistan continue to face a wide technology
gap that prevents them from accessing digital tools Reasons Female Male Overall

at the same level as men. Access to technology is

Do not know how to use it 65 58 62
necessary for them to participate in the increasingly
digitized global community. Only 6% of women (aged Cultural reasons 18 19 19
15-64) use computers (e.g., desktops, laptops, and/or
Affordability 7 9 8
tablets) compared to 11% of men (Figure 77).
Use a substitute, i.e.,
6 11 8
mobile phone
Figure 77: Computer usage in previous 3 months by province
& sex (%) Privacy/security concerns 1 0 0

Others 3 3 3

Total 100% 100% 100%

Source: PSLM 2019-20

for computer usage among women, followed by

social media (Table 33). This limited professional
usage is largely linked with women’s poor access to
financial services, lower labor force participation and
entrepreneurial activities, limiting their ability to learn,
earn, and be economically empowered. In short, the
high gender digital divide limits women’s ability to
Source: PSLM 2019-20 achieve financial independence, exacerbating existing
gender inequalities.
A vast majority of women (94%) do not use a
computer at all. Among those who do not use
Table 33: Purpose of using computer by sex (%)
computers, 65% are limited by their knowledge of
computer usage and its benefits, followed by cultural Reasons Female Male Overall
constraints and discriminatory values and practices
Copying or moving a file 36 36 36
(Table 32). Affordability was also reported as one of
the constraints. In Balochistan, there is a considerable Entertainment 26 21 22
gap of awareness and technical training on computer
Social media 18 13 14
usage among rural women,146 which can be reconciled
with the poor literacy rate, telecom infrastructural Professional Work 5 5 5
issues, and limited job openings in the province.
Email 3 4 5
Productive usage of computers is another area that
requires policy focus. The data shows that hardly 4% All of the above 12 21 18

of the women and 5% of the men use computers for

Total 100 100 100
professional purposes (e.g., programming, problem-
solving, research, and learning, etc.). Other than Source: PSLM 2019-20

copying files, entertainment is the main reason

146. Details in Annex Table 8.2

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 120

 8.2. Mobile Phone Ownership mobile or having a SIM with their names. As a result,
Access to mobiles and smartphones has become quite only 30% of women own a mobile phone in Pakistan;
common globally, and can be considered an indicator 19% have a simple phone, and the remaining 11% own a
of women’s empowerment, as it can have a direct effect smartphone (Figure 78).147 It is worth mentioning that
on women’s socio-economic wellbeing and autonomy. usage of mobile phone is much higher than ownership,
In addition, it is also an indicator of gender equality, as 70% of the women reported for using a simple
particularly in the case of South Asian societies. mobile phone and 20% have used smart phone.

As per the 2021 Groupe Speciale Mobile Association A range of factors limit women’s access to mobile
(GSMA) report, 46% of women consider that a mobile devices. One main reason, as reported by the women, is
phone provides access to useful information that they cultural constraints where they are usually not allowed
would not otherwise be able to obtain otherwise. The to use a phone. Nearly one-third of young women and
same report found that mobile phone usage rate is 37% of women with an undergraduate education or
rising among women, however, a significant gender above have reported facing such cultural restrictions.
gap still prevails. Pakistan stands among countries Education of women is an important driver for using a
having the widest mobile gender gap in the world, mobile phone as it might empower them in terms of
where only 30% of the women own a mobile phone both awareness and financial independence through
compared to 79% of men. livelihood opportunities. However, certain constraints
(i.e., permission from family and cultural barriers) still
Individual-level barriers are among the main reasons hold for educated women. 148
for women’s low ownership of mobile phones,
including affordability, literacy, digital skills, safety,
and security. In addition, inherent biases and socio-
8.3. Access to the Internet
cultural norms curtail women and girls for owning a
Internet has rapidly revolutionized the social,
economic, and cultural fabric of societies across the
Figure 78: Mobile ownership by sex (%)
globe. Today, it plays a pivotal role in global business
strategies, allowing entrepreneurs to reduce business
costs, improve productivity, make swifter transactions,
and foster the spread of new ideas [92]. The resultant
impact on market efficiency is widespread [93]. The
COVID-19 pandemic further ossified this trend – the
pandemic triggered an inevitable surge in the use
of online platforms for education, virtual meetings,
and work-from-home practices, as some apparent
examples [94, 95]. At the same time, the gender gap
in technology has negative impacts on countries’
economic growth and development. As per Intel, if
600 million women were connected to the internet in
three years, this would translate to a rise in global GDP
of between USD 13 billion to USD 18 billion.149

Source: PSLM 2019-20

147. See details in Annex Table 8.4

148. Details in Annex Tables 8.6 & 8.7
149. Plan International. Bridging the Digital Divide. Available at https://plan-international.org/education/bridging-the-digital-divide

121 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

On average, the share of the internet in GDP at a while both permission and affordability constraints are
global level is around 3.4%, with sizeable variations high for educated women.151 Nearly half of the women
across countries, leaving ample room for low-income don’t know how to use the internet and almost one-
countries [96]. However, this share is hardly 1.5% in third consider that the internet is not useful (Table 34).
Pakistan. Further, Pakistan is ranked 133 out of 134
countries on gender equality in internet usage in the
Table 34: Reasons for not using the internet by sex (%)
Network Readiness Index 2020, with only 15% of the
women using the internet (Figure 79). Reasons Female Male Overall

Figure 79: Internet usage by province & sex (%) Not useful 31 35 33

Do not know how to use it 46 45 46

Affordability 4 8 6

Privacy/security concerns 1 0 0

Service is not available 1 2 1

Cultural constraints 1 0 1

Do not know what the

5 3 4
internet is

Not allowed 6 2 4

Others 3 3 3

All of the above 2 2 2

Source: PSLM 2019-20 Total 100 100 100

Source: PSLM 2019-20

A vast majority of the Pakistani population is either
illiterate or has education up to the primary level only,
and has minimal access to the internet (3%). Education,
Even for those who use the internet, most do not
urbanization, poverty, and remoteness are some
leverage the opportunities it provides. Eighty percent of
trends determining internet usage.150 Women and girls
the internet users in Pakistan use it for non-productive
face multiple challenges, such as family restrictions,
activities, i.e., chat, voice and video calls, watching
financial and time constraints, and safety and privacy
videos/ movies, etc. (Table 35). There is a need to
issues. Particularly in rural areas, women’s use of the
create greater awareness among active internet users
internet is seen in a negative light [97], and they are
regarding productive uses of the internet, like online
actively prohibited from using mobile devices [98],
learning and digital entrepreneurship.

150. Details in Annex Table 8.8

151. Details in Annex Table 8.9 & 8.10

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 122

 phone ownership and internet use. One of the key
Table 35: Purpose of using the internet among users by
sex (%) initiatives is the “Digital Pakistan” program, which
aims to transform Pakistan into a knowledge-based
Reasons of using Internet Female Male Overall economy by promoting digital literacy, innovation, and

Email, chat, social media 37 54 48

entrepreneurship. Under this program, the government
has launched various initiatives to promote digital
Voice and video calls 36 17 23 skills and entrepreneurship among women, such as the
“Kamyab Jawan” program, which provides loans and
Movie/ drama 7 5 6
training to young entrepreneurs, including women.
Education and research 6 4 5
Additionally, the government has introduced various
Information seeking 3 4 4 policies and regulations to promote digital inclusion
and women’s participation in the digital economy, such
Business 0 2 1
as the “Telecom Policy 2015,” which aims to increase
Download software 1 1 1 broadband penetration and promote affordable
internet access for all. The government has also
Online shopping/ banking 0 0 0
launched various awareness campaigns to promote
All of the above 10 13 12 women’s digital literacy and bridge the gender gap
in mobile phone ownership and internet use. These
Total 100 100 100
initiatives and policies are critical in addressing
Total 100 100 100 digitalization and women empowerment in Pakistan
and are expected to contribute to bridging the gender
Source: PSLM 2019-20
gap and promoting women’s participation in the digital
economy [90].
For sustained economic growth, adopting modern
technology is imperative for creating awareness about The State Bank of Pakistan has launched several
their usage and potential benefits. Keeping these initiatives aimed at providing digital financial services
barriers in view, Pakistan needs to absorb the internet to women, including the Raast Payment System,
and digital tools and enhance access by women and which provides an instant digital payment service to
girls across the country, for improving human capital individuals and businesses.
and economic growth. Lack of digital infrastructure
The recent study by National Commission on Status
and affordability are among the biggest challenges,
of Women on gender digital divide strongly advocates
especially for rural women. To overcome these
that country has to allow more space for women in
challenges, the country requires a comprehensive
labor market and digital platforms to promote equality
digital inclusion strategy, to target various socio-
and economic growth. It requires policies and actions
economic groups to overcome the gender disparity,
to equip female workers with more self-organization,
rural-urban divide, and non-productive usage.
management and communication, and advanced
Despite of various challenges, the Government numerical skills; encouraging greater female enrolment
of Pakistan has recognized the importance of in STEM-related studies and apprenticeships; and
digitalization for women’s empowerment and has targeting existing gender biases in curricula and
taken several steps to bridge the gender gap in mobile parental preferences [90].

123 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 124
125 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023
CHAPTER-09

GENDER AND THE COVID-19

PANDEMIC
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) had an unprecedented To protect the population from poverty, the government
impact on every facet of life across all geographical also launched a large stimulus package worth $6
boundaries. It caused an immense increase in billion (PKR 1.2 trillion) to support the country’s most
morbidity and mortality, with millions of deaths and economically vulnerable, including emergency relief
a significant impact on economies, employment, and for businesses and individuals. The payment of utility
trade across the globe. Inevitably, the pandemic’s far- bills was deferred for 2 months for poor households. A
reaching adverse effects pushed back global efforts to sum of PKR 50 billion was earmarked for government-
fight poverty and inequality, particularly in low-income run utility stores to ensure the constant availability of
countries [99]. The pandemic made it extremely food and other necessities.
difficult for governments to provide basic facilities Figure 80: Beneficiaries under Ehsaas Emergency Cash by
to their populations, including adequate healthcare, province/ region (in Million PKR)
education and other services. The economic fallout
from the pandemic greatly affected all the sectors
of the economy in Pakistan, particularly industry and
services, and resulted in an estimated employment
loss of 12.5 to 15.5 million [100].

Over the last two decades, Pakistan had shown

encouraging progress on poverty reduction (from
40% to 24%); however, this took a major hit due to
the pandemic and the subsequent humanitarian crisis
caused by the floods of 2022. High inflation levels over
the past couple of years have further exacerbated the
situation, significantly impacting the most vulnerable
and marginalized. Nearly one million children dropped
out of primary and secondary education during this
period, primarily due to income shocks and school
closures [101].

It is, however, important to point out that the

government took several measures to protect the
population from the ravaging impacts of COVID-19.
About 124 million doses of vaccines had been
administered as of December 5, 2021, and an estimated
51 million persons had been fully vaccinated. Source: Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (till Dec 30, 20)

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 126

 The government allocated PKR 203 billion to deliver one-time emergency cash assistance to 16.9 million families at
risk of extreme poverty, representing nearly 109 million people or half of the country’s population. This emergency
cash transfer scheme was the largest in Pakistan’s history, made possible through the nationwide cash transfer
delivery system developed under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

Case Study: Zara, Quetta, Balochistan

Hazaras belong to the Shia sect of Islam and each year hundreds and thousands of them travel to Iran
and Iraq to visit shrines of Holy Imams. A common practice is to take travel in convoys through the land
route from Balochistan to Iran and Iraq, with a usual journey of around 30 to 40 days. Year 2020 was
no exception, many Hazara families were on a pilgrimage when the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced and
it reached Iran first hence the pilgrims returning to their homes in Pakistan had to face stigma as well
as challenges related to the management of the pandemic in its early stages, when little was known
about it.

It was Zara’s152 first visit abroad with her parents and younger sister. Her parents had always wished to go
to Iran and Iraq at least once in their lifetime for pilgrimage. Zara and her sister are both schoolteachers
and they had been saving money to visit the holy shrines and so it was a long-awaited trip.

When their journey started COVID-19 was not a global pandemic- at that time Iran had no reported
cases and Pakistan too had no threat from the deadly virus. While they were in Iran, news came about
the outbreak of virus and then the number of cases began to rise. They were eager to return to Quetta
and had absolutely no clue of how their journey back home would be like. On their return journey as
they crossed the Iran border at Taftan, they were stopped. The convoys were forced to stay at the
border town till it was confirmed that the pilgrims did not carry the virus with them. The convoys had
no information about the pandemic or the plans of the border authorities in Pakistan.

The first few days were the hardest and the pilgrims were treated as if they had all contrived the novel
virus without testing. All they were told was that they would stay in Taftan at the isolation centers for
a fortnight period irrespective of whether anyone had tested positive or negative. However, there were
no proper arrangements such as clean drinking water, hygienic food, functional toilets, access to health
facilities, and no access to shops for purchasing essential items. These issues made the situation worse
for women as compared to men. Moreover, there was no clear information on how long the stay would
be. The caravan had around 5000 people travelling without any possibility of following SOPs, and it
was obvious if a single person had the virus in the group, they would all get tested positive.

After the first quarantine the pilgrims were shifted to Quetta but to another makeshift quarantine
center near Quetta at Mianghundi. The same process was repeated, they were made to stay in the tents
again. Throughout the journey, women had the responsibility to pack and unpack the suitcases while
also bearing the brunt of the frustration of the men. In Mianghundi, there were better facilities, and
they were provided hygiene kits and proper food. They were tested and the reports were negative, but
even then, they were retained as the authorities were not clear about the virus and its protocols. Some
people were sent home while others were sent to a third quarantine center, Sheikh Zahid Hospital in

152. Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

127 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 Quetta. Zara’s father and younger sister were allowed to go home while she and her old mother had
to complete the third quarantine. Although the facilities were better than the last two centers, Zara’s
mother was very disturbed and kept on asking questions to which Zara had no answers… they were
both emotionally drained. Finally, they were tested for the third time and the reports were negative, so
they were allowed to go home.

Zara shares from her experience that: “Besides all the issues, something that shook me was the attitude
of people towards those who travelled to Iran or Iraq. Hazaras were specially stigmatized and blamed
for bringing the virus from Iran. This clearly violates their human rights and also affects the healthcare
being offered to them.”

The lasting Gendered impact of COVID-19 to purchasing household goods [102]. In a country like
For most crises and disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic Pakistan, where women’s primary role is perceived to
disproportionally affected women in many ways. be caregiving and homemaking, women face an added
Lockdowns and other mobility restrictions left many burden of home production, childcare, eldercare, and
women vulnerable to increased domestic and gender- other domestic responsibilities [103]. Although both
based violence. Because women typically earn less, women and men experienced a fall in household income
have fewer savings, and hold less secure jobs than due to the pandemic, evidence suggests that women’s
men, so they are particularly susceptible to economic limited income led to a decline in daily nutrient intake
shocks in general. The pandemic further added to among female-headed households, more so than male-
this vulnerability due to its devastating impact on headed households [104].
feminized sectors like hospitality, tourism, and retail,
depriving many women of their livelihoods. Women are Figure 81: Respondents working before and after
also much more likely to be employed in the informal COVID-19 by sex (%)
sector, which significantly suffered due to demand
shortfalls during lockdowns. This further shrunk the
space for women’s employment.

The burden of unpaid care and domestic work, which

already fell disproportionately on women, increased
dramatically during the pandemic, an addition to
negative effects on their own and their families’ health.
It had affected the entire population, particularly the
vulnerable.

Since women’s employment in Pakistan is mostly

concentrated in the informal sector and low-paying
jobs, they are often the first to be fired and the last
to be hired during economic downswings. Further, the
adverse impacts of income loss are disproportionally
high for women as they usually take responsibility for
the survival of household members by cutting back on
consumption or increasing unpaid work as an alternative Source: Tas et al., (2022) [105]

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 128

 The National Commission on the Status of Women findings [108]. The study pointed out that as LG
(NCSW), UN Women, and the Ministry of Human elections were indefinitely postponed throughout
Rights were cognizant of the possible impacts of Pakistan, the women community leaders found
COVID-19 on women as far back as April 2020 and themselves largely marginalized. COVID-19 also had
joined hands to publish a policy brief on this topic an impact on women’s citizenship rights, according
[106]. Taking stock of existing inequalities, the policy to the study. Before the pandemic, an estimated 12.7
brief delineated the gendered impact of COVID-19 on million women (who are over 18) did not have CNICs.
various areas, including: The researchers expressed apprehensions about how
prolonged COVID-19 closures could end up further
• Educational attainment: girls were more likely to
restricting women to homes and neighborhoods and
be drawn into domestic chores and care work,
impede documentation drives.
taken out from school and unable to study in the
home. Further, the income shocks at the household Yet another study, which used mixed methods and
level would discourage parents from sending their included short phone-based surveys of women who
daughters to schools once they reopened. had been working during the 12 months preceding
the pandemic, also shed light on how the female
• Health outcomes: due to reduced access to public
workforce had been affected by COVID-19 [109]. The
healthcare, in particular for women and girls.
study was based on over 1,000 quantitative surveys,
• Employment: women are employed primarily in supplemented by 24 qualitative interviews/ KIIs, and
the informal sector, which suffered the greatest was conducted in July-August 2020. It found that the
losses during the COVID-19 lockdowns. pandemic had started causing economic losses to
The brief also referred to the links between economic small businesses just weeks after its onset, and small
stress and gender-based violence. It posited that informal businesses experienced up to 40% decrease
cases of domestic violence could increase, fueled by in profits within a few months. Almost a quarter of
the economic hardship and frustration caused by the the women interviewed reported being faced with
pandemic. salary reductions, while 37% of those engaged in
home-based labor reported delayed payments. The
Subsequent research has lent credence to the
bulk of respondents reported either having to delve
apprehensions in the NCSW-UN Women policy
into savings and liquidate assets to survive, or having
brief. A paper on the impact of COVID-19 on women
to borrow from relatives. Women also reported
entrepreneurs running microenterprises revealed
substantial increase in caregiving responsibilities
some sobering findings [107]. The research focused on
at home (for both children who were home from
women who had started businesses after taking a loan
school, and older persons who had to be protected
from a microfinance institution (Kashf Foundation,
from the effects of the pandemic). An alarming 40%
Akhuwat, or Seed Out). The interviewees were engaged
of respondents reported a greater threat of domestic
in businesses such as home-based food delivery,
violence, while over half reported increased instances
home-based tailoring, and supplying specialty foods
of child beating.
such as pickles to retailers. It was revealed that all the
entrepreneurs had suffered a loss in their businesses A study conducted on women’s autonomy and access
due to reduced market access and lower customer to healthcare found that [110]:
traffic. They had faced the negative fallout of the • 64% of women reported that men’s stay at home
closure of shops and offices, and lower purchasing had led them to change how they dressed at home.
power in general. Furthermore, the women reported
• 60% said they were less able to do things for
facing mental health issues and extreme stress.
entertainment, like watch what they wanted on TV.
Another study on the impacts of COVID-19 on women’s • 53% said that they did not speak on the phone
political participation also had some important

129 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

 with their parents or other family members for as their well-being (Ministry of Human Rights at the
long as they used to in pre-pandemic times. Federal Level and Women Development Departments
• Over than 1 in 3 women who needed pre- or post- in the provinces) did not take adequate steps in this
natal care in the household during the pandemic area [111]. The Ehsaas cash transfer scheme, as outlined
did not visit a doctor or hospital. Most of them above, was a good initiative, but again women were
said this was because lockdowns limited their less likely to have a national identity card—an essential
mobility, lack of money, or because of the fear of document to receive cash assistance.
contracting the virus. In a nutshell, the COVID-19 pandemic had an immense
Women health workers, constituting 70% of the frontline and highly disproportionate adverse impact on women
health workers, played a key role in safeguarding in most aspects of their lives. On one hand, mobility
the population. Many of them got exposure to the restrictions and loss in employment and income raised
COVID-19 pandemic due to limited safety equipment. their financial vulnerabilities, whilst they also faced
greater burdens in the shape of domestic, unpaid
The government developed a National Action Plan,
work. On the other, they experienced a rise in domestic
under which a number of committees had been set up,
and gender-based violence, coupled with a restricted
however, women’s representation in these committees
support system and low functionality of services and
was only 5.5%. The two main bodies with the mandate
redressal mechanisms.
to take action to protect women’s rights and ensure

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 130

 CONCLUSION

This report has presented a comprehensive snapshot of indicators quoted in the report are somewhat
the status of Pakistani women in 2023. It is produced at disheartening as they show that Pakistan has a long
a time when the economy of Pakistan has been facing way to go before women can take their rightful place
severe constraints due to high inflation, unemployment as equal members of society, and achieve their full
and external financial crisis, having hardly recovered potential to contribute to the economy and society as a
from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. whole. Women lag behind men in accessing education,
The country also faced an unprecedented humanitarian health, employment, and asset ownership, among other
crisis through the monsoon-caused floods in 2022, indicators, and this gender gap is not narrowing as fast
which affected 33 million people and took more than as it should. On the part of legislators, policymakers,
1,730 lives. These floods have inflicted more than and society as a whole, an intensive effort is required
$30 billion in damages and economic losses. Both to address the barriers to women’s development on
the inflation and flood pushed millions of households a range of indicators. Gender-responsive planning
into a state of poverty, where women will be the most and budgeting and gender-segregated budget
affected while facing the challenges of food insecurity allocation is another area where federal and provincial
and malnutrition. governments need to focus for overcoming disparities.

The report’s findings have substantiated and analyzed While acknowledging that there is much to be done,
gender differentials in education, skills, connectivity this report has also pointed out certain positive
across socio-economic classes, and the urban-rural trends. Women are more vocal than ever before and
divide. The report highlights how women in Pakistan are increasingly visible in workplaces, educational
are in a vulnerable position, with their participation in institutions, and non-traditional occupations. There
economic and social life restricted by a host of societal has been substantial progress on this in recent years
and structural barriers. Gender disparities in education – from the enactment of legislation on domestic
and digital skills place a significant proportion of violence, harassment at the workplace and women’s
Pakistani women at a disadvantage, one of the major inheritance to proposed legislation on early marriage
factors that limits women’s labour to unpaid family and forced conversion of young girls.
work and the agriculture sector. Education, skill-
There is also an increased awareness that institutions
building, especially modern skills, and employment
working for women’s development must be
opportunities can significantly improve women’s well-
strengthened and allowed a certain degree of
being, decision-making, and agency.
autonomy to fulfill their mandates. This awareness
There is a need for all segments of society to has led to a renewed push to operationalize the
realize that the country cannot achieve sustained Commissions for the Status of Women at the
economic growth until half of the population can federal and in the provinces, whether through the
compete equitably – discrimination against women is appointment of chairpersons, or the designation of
economically unproductive. Various socioeconomic staff and allocation of budgets. The commissions are

131 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

autonomous bodies by the law and are better placed and dissemination, advocacy and partnership-building,
to engage with stakeholders across the board, not just better coordination with the PCSWs, strengthening
from the government. Their strength lies in marshaling the legal watchdog role, and undertaking awareness-
resources from development partners and from within raising campaigns. Significant efforts are still required
civil society and acting as a link between citizens and to strengthen the national and provincial commissions
the state. to play a meaningful role in accordance with their
vision and mandate.
While there are numerous challenges and demands on
the NCSW, a Strategic Vision Plan has recently been The efforts need to continue, and all stakeholders,
drafted that highlights where the Commission will including government institutions, political parties and
focus its efforts over the short to medium term. As civil society activists, will have to collaborate to bring
articulated in the plan, the NCSW will take concrete about reforms that have broad support and lasting
actions to further Pakistan’s women’s empowerment and sustainable impacts.
agenda, including through data collection, analysis

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 132

 RECOMMENDATIONS

The framework for the recommendations is threefold: • Women must have a minimum quota of at least
(i) Ensuring an enabling institutional and legislative 10% in all government jobs. A similar regulation is
environment which promotes women’s economic required in the private sector as well.
empowerment, security, dignity, and rights through • The educational curriculum requires to be updated
laws and policies and their implementation. (ii) Socio- and brought in line with global standards for
economic opportunities to support women’s access human rights, especially by adding features to
to education and training, job opportunities, digital change the mindset to develop respect for women
literacy, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship. and girls, inculcate a culture of tolerance for
(iii) Strengthening women’s agency is necessary by different segments of society, improve peaceful co-
enhancing their participation in the public sphere, existence, and eliminate all forms of discrimination
access to decision-making and ability to speak up and violence.
against and address discriminatory social and cultural
• Policy measures are required to improve the
norms.
access of women to digital tools and modern
Strengthening the institutional and legal framework technologies.
is much needed to reinforce socio-economic basics
To improve socio-economic opportunities, women
that improve women’s economic decision-making and
require demand-driven skills, especially access to
access to resources, i.e., education, skills, paid work
business and entrepreneurship opportunities. Linking
and financial inclusion. Specific recommendations in
women’s businesses to markets can help them to
this area include:
grow further. Since most women’s employment is
• Fully enforce Article 25A of the Constitution that concentrated in the informal sector, there is a need
mandates the provision of free education for to support the policies and measures that eliminate
children (aged 5-16 years) across Pakistan. The or reduce their vulnerability in these sectors. Their
country requires inclusive education for girls, in employment is concentrated in a few occupations and
particular to overcome gender gaps with a special there is a need to open job opportunities for women in
focus on skilled-based learning and vocational non-traditional sectors such as carpentry, electronics,
training. Reinforcement is needed to incentivize mechanics, wholesale and retail activities, etc. Specific
duty bearers and parents. incentives through training and credits can encourage
• The implementation of laws that support women’s them to opt for these sectors. There is a need to open
right to political participation and access to the job opportunities for women in non-traditional sectors
justice system must be effectively enforced. such as carpentry, electronics, mechanics, wholesale
and retail activities, and other growing sectors. Certain
• Parallel and informal justice systems that violate
incentives through training and credits can encourage
women’s constitutional, and legal rights should be
them to opt for these sectors and to open up doors for
eliminated.
women to enter them.
• The federal and provincial budgets must have
gender-disaggregated data to observe gender- In this regard, the following recommendations can help
related outcomes. in improving the women’s economic opportunities:

133 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

• The microfinance sector needs to be improved to • Digital technology is the future of the labor market
cater to women’s needs. There is a need to amend and economy. A concrete effort is required to
the bank loan policy where unfavorable conditions include women in the digital ecosystem. Access
and high-interest rates often exclude them from to digital tools through establishing digital hubs
business startup activities. and incubators, especially in remote areas, can
help women establish small businesses and
• One-third of the microfinance lending should
entrepreneurial activities.
be allocated to women, especially in rural areas
where women can easily make their place in To strengthen women’s agency, there is an urgent
agriculture, livestock, and related sectors. Lending need to build social capital in society, especially for
should be flexible to accommodate women owned women. Efforts and initiatives are required to improve
and led enterprises and should be accompanied women’s economic, social, and political inclusion. A
by financial education, training, digital literacy, few policy recommendations are noteworthy:
among others.
• Every man, woman, girl, boy, and transgender
• Women should be incentivized to join and progress person must have their legal identity through
in employment through supportive policies and birth registration and the issuance of national
conducive work environments, such as through identity card. The issuance of such documents is
wage equalization, provision of workplace facilities, imperative to protect their rights and inheritance.
i.e., daycare centers, separate washrooms, and
• Women’s political representation can be enhanced
safe transport facilities to ease their mobility. The
by instituting quotas for political parties to field
benefits of Maternity and Paternity Leave Act
women in the direct general elections and also
2023 must be expanded for the women working in
allocating 33% of seats at the LG level for women.
the private sector
It is essential to engage men and boys and change
• Women with professional education (i.e., degrees
the harmful patriarchal norms and toxic masculinities
in medicine, engineering, etc.) require special
that restrict women from obtaining and exercising
incentives to encourage them to enter and stay in
their rights and playing an active role in the
the workforce.
development of the nation.
• Recognizing informal work, home-based workers,
and unpaid family workers with the requisite legal
protections is highly desirable.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 134

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 ANNEXURES
Annexure A: Recommendations and Actions Taken on Universal Periodic Review

Reference
Recommendation Action
Number

Fully staff and fund the national human rights

institutions outlined in its Action Plan for Human
152.50 Rights in order to better collect and analyze Establishment of the National Gender Database Portal
disaggregated data in support of laws, policies, and
safeguards related to women and girls.

Step up measures to strengthen the work of local

human rights institutions, including the National The government(s), both national and provincial, are
152.55 Commission for Human Rights, the National proceeding with staffing the Commissions on the
Commission on the Status of Women, and the Status of Women.
National Commission for Minorities.

Strengthen the national and provincial commissions

The Commissions are in the process of being fully
152.57 on the status of women through increased funding
staffed and will be funded accordingly.
and support, given the importance of this issue.

Adopt legislation that criminalizes domestic violence

in all provinces and ensure, promote, and facilitate the Domestic violence legislation is now in place in all the
152.259
effective implementation of this legislation by, inter provinces and at the federal level.
alia, providing training for law enforcement officers.

Expand further the ongoing efforts to provide

medical facilities and access to vulnerable groups,
Pakistan is now moving towards universal health
152.217 particularly women and girls, in rural areas, as part of
insurance.
the overall effort to achieve universal health coverage
in Pakistan.

Continue progress towards equality between Pakistan has provisions for the representation of
women and men, increasing and strengthening the women at all levels of the government, and all the
representation of women in politics, economics, provinces have enacted legislation on ensuring the
academia, and the judiciary. This also implies effective rights of inheritance of women. Under the Ehsaas
152.246 equality before the law, including inheritance rights, programme, women are especially encouraged to
equal access to justice, equality in the effective access financial services and gain access to credit for
exercise of their rights to education and health, and entrepreneurship, and encouraging women-owned
equal remuneration and access to credit and other enterprises through suitable tax provisions has been
financial services. a policy for some time.

Pakistan has enacted legal reform to remove the

Take effective measures to ensure the full
lacunae which enabled honor crimes to be pardoned.
implementation of the laws against “honor” crimes
152.268 The legal age of marriage has not been increased, but
and rape and raise the legal age of marriage to 18
the debate on this is ongoing, specifically including
years in all provinces.
both religious scholars and rights practitioners.

139 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Annexure B: Summary of Progress on CEDAW Commitments

Article Response/ Progress

Article 1: Definition of
The term ‘Discrimination’ as defined in the CEDAW is considered by the courts of law and other
Discrimination against
organizations whenever the question of defining discrimination arises.
Women

Article 25 of the Constitution states that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex.
The Constitution of Pakistan provides fundamental rights which include freedom of speech,
thought, information, religion, freedom of association, press, and assembly which support the
equal treatment of all, irrespective of gender. The Parliament of Pakistan has been passing
Article 2: Obligation to
resolutions to reaffirm the commitment to end discrimination and violence against women on
Eliminate Discrimination
annual basis to commemorate international and national women’s days. These resolutions urge
the federal and provincial governments to facilitate equal opportunities, ensure the safety and
welfare of women, pursue policies, and promote meaningful and significant participation of
women in every aspect of public life.

A National Action Plan for Human Rights was developed by the Ministry of Human Rights
through extensive consultations with stakeholders and approved in February 2016. It has six
Article 3: Implementation
thematic areas including the protection of women. An independent National Commission for
of the Convention through
Human Rights (NCHR) has also been established through an Act of Parliament in 2015. It works
all available means
with the powers of a civil court to address human rights violations and to advise Government
on human rights issues and policies. Provincial commissions are also in place.

The Commissions on the Status of Women (national as well as provincial) have implemented
Article 4: Special a series of measures in accordance with CEDAW, including drafting and review of relevant
Measures/ affirmative legislation, in addition to operational matters such as working with the Women’s Development
actions Departments at the provincial level to set up shelter homes and improve protection services. A
concerted effort to improve data collection has led to the establishment of the NGDP.

Women play a key role in media. Many key TV anchors of popular programmes are women.
Women actively participate in talk shows highlighting societal problems and thus help build
a gender-sensitive narrative for all national policies. Pakistani TV dramas shoulder a big
Article 5: Sex Role responsibility in speaking out against existing discriminatory norms. Today’s dramas focus on
Stereotyping and Prejudice issues such as; pre-marital and post-marital situations, conditions of both domestic and working
women, gender-based violence, etc. Federal and provincial governments are reviewing existing
curricula to address negative stereotyping of women and to ensure that negative assumptions
do not limit women’s choices and opportunities.

Human trafficking is prohibited in line with the Constitution as well as the Prevention and
Control of Trafficking Ordinance, of 2002.
Article 6: Sexual
Exploitation of Women There are also check-posts of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) at airports, and dry ports as
well as at other entry and exit points to check valid travel documents of persons entering and
leaving the country.

Article 7: Elimination of Article 34 of the Constitution emphasizes the full participation of women in national life and
Discrimination in Political states that “Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national
and Public Life life.”

The country’s first female Foreign Secretary has retired only recently. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has seen an upsurge in the intake of female officers in the last decade or so. Pakistani
Article 8: Representation
women diplomats have served in Ambassadorial positions throughout the country’s history,
Abroad
both as political appointees and career officers. As of December 2021, there are six female
Ambassadors representing the country in different countries, in addition to one Consul General.

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 140

 The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the same right of citizenship to women as men and
marriage to a non-Pakistani citizen neither affects a woman’s nationality nor requires her to
Article 9: Nationality
adopt the citizenship of her non-Pakistani husband. The children of a Pakistani woman married
to a non-Pakistani are citizens of Pakistan.

Article 25-A of the Constitution re-affirms the Right to Education and emphasizes that the
Article 10: Equal Rights to
State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen
all aspects of Education
years with no discrimination whatsoever.

The ratio of women employed in many male-dominated spheres including energy department,
public health engineering, fisheries as well as labor and manpower has increased. Facilities for
Article 11: Employment women such as separate washrooms and prayer rooms, maternity and paternity leave, and
financial assistance to working women residing in hotels are some of the initiatives taken to
increase women's labor force participation across Pakistan.

National Health Vision (NHV) developed in consultation with provincial governments provides
a road map to improve the health of all Pakistanis, particularly women, and children. It has six
Article 12: Health thematic areas focusing on improving access and quality of (Maternal, Neonatal, and Child
Health) MNCH community-based primary care services and investing in nutrition with a special
focus on adolescents, girls, mothers, and children.

Pakistan’s premier social protection programme, The Benazir Income Support Programme
Article 13: Economic and (BISP), and now the umbrella initiative known as Ehsaas both consider women as the focal
Social Benefits point for their assistance programmes. Encouraging women entrepreneurs and improving
women’s access to financial services has been a consistent policy for at least a decade.

Though Pakistani rural women are extensively involved in agricultural activities, their roles range
from managers to landless laborers. In all farm production, women’s average contribution is
Article 14: Rural Women estimated at 55 percent to 66 percent of the total labor with percentage much higher in certain
regions. Agriculture development programmes are increasingly cognizant of these facts, but
more needs to be done.

Article 15: Equality before Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan lays down the principle of equality before the law for
the Law all citizens.

The National Commission on Rights of the Child 2017 has been established to provide support
Article 16: Marriage and
and protection for the children of Pakistan. The Commission will play a major role in policy and
Family Life
legislative initiatives for child welfare and development, including the girl-child.

141 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Annexure C: Statistical Tables

Chapter 1: Education and Skills

Table 1.1 Literacy rate of population (aged 10+) over time (%)

National Rural Urban

Year
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
2001-02 32 58 45 21 51 36 56 72 64
2005-06 42 65 54 31 57 44 64 79 71
2010-11 46 69 58 35 63 49 67 81 74
2014-15 49 70 60 38 63 51 69 82 76
2019-20 49 70 60 39 64 52 67 79 74

Source: PSLM Reports- various years

Table 1.2: Literacy rate (aged 10+) by province, region & sex (%)
National Rural Urban
National/ Provinces
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 49 70 60 39 64 52 67 79 74
KP 35 71 53 31 69 50 53 80 67
Punjab 57 72 64 48 67 57 72 80 76
Sindh 47 68 58 23 53 39 66 79 73
Balochistan 29 61 46 22 55 40 47 76 63
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.3: Age-specific literacy rates (%)

National Rural Urban
Age Category
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
Overall 49 70 60 39 64 52 67 79 74
10.-14 69 78 74 61 75 69 82 84 83
15-19 69 80 75 60 77 69 85 86 86
20-24 60 77 68 48 72 59 79 85 82
25-29 52 72 62 40 66 52 72 82 77
30-34 47 71 59 34 64 48 68 81 74
35-39 43 69 56 30 62 46 64 79 72
40-44 37 67 52 24 59 41 58 77 68
45-49 32 62 47 18 54 36 52 74 63
50-54 28 58 43 14 49 32 47 71 59
55-59 23 54 39 11 44 28 43 69 57
60-64 20 52 38 8 41 27 38 69 56
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

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 Table 1.4: Youth (aged 15-29) literacy rate by province, region & sex (%)
National/ National Rural Urban
Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 61 77 69 50 72 61 79 84 82
KP 45 82 63 40 81 60 66 89 78
Punjab 71 79 75 63 75 69 85 85 85
Sindh 54 71 63 28 57 43 74 82 79
Balochistan 36 68 53 27 62 46 59 81 72
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.5: Status of attending school of youth (aged 15-29) by sex (%)
National/ National Rural Urban
Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 40 23 31 43 53 48 18 24 21
KP 55 17 37 32 51 41 13 32 22
Punjab 28 20 24 50 56 53 22 24 23
Sindh 49 32 40 39 48 44 12 20 16
Balochistan 68 35 49 25 46 36 7 20 14
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.6: Status of attending school of children (aged 5-15) by sex (%)
National/ National Rural Urban
Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 31 22 26 5 4 4 65 74 70
KP 38 19 27 5 3 4 57 79 69
Punjab 20 16 18 5 5 5 76 79 77
Sindh 46 35 40 4 3 4 50 62 57
Balochistan 53 33 42 4 4 4 43 63 54
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

143 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 1.7: Reason for never attending school (%)

Children (5-15 years) Adolescents (15-19 years)

Reason
Female Male Total Female Male Total

Too expensive 86 87 87 88 90 88

Too far away 2 2 2 2 1 2

Had to Help at Home 1 0 1 2 1 2

Parents/elders did not allow 3 1 2 4 1 3

Child not willing 3 4 3 2 3 2

Child too young 3 4 3 0 0 0

Others* 2 2 2 2 4 3

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

Note: Others include poor teaching, had to help with work, no female staff, child sick, and lack of documents etc.
Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.8: Net Enrolment Rate at various educational level by sex (%)

Primary (6-10 years) Middle (11-13 years) Matric (14-15 years)

National/ Provinces
Female Male Overall Female Male Overall Female Male Overall

National 60 68 64 35 39 37 25 28 27

KP 56 72 65 29 45 38 18 31 25

Punjab 69 71 70 41 40 41 31 30 30

Sindh 49 60 55 29 35 32 20 24 22

Balochistan 45 65 56 20 31 26 9 18 14

Rural 56 67 62 29 37 33 19 25 22

KP 53 71 63 27 44 36 16 29 23

Punjab 66 70 68 36 38 37 24 27 25

Sindh 38 55 47 13 28 21 7 16 12

Balochistan 40 63 53 16 28 23 8 15 12

Urban 69 71 70 46 44 45 36 34 35

KP 72 78 75 42 50 47 26 40 33

Punjab 74 73 73 50 44 47 42 37 39

Sindh 62 66 65 43 43 43 32 31 31

Balochistan 61 70 66 30 39 35 13 24 20

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

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 Table 1.9: Distance to school for children (aged 5-15) (%)
Distance to School National Rural Urban

(in KM) Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

0-2.00 72 68 70 73 67 69 72 69 70

2.01-5.00 19 20 19 16 20 19 20 22 21

5.01-10.00 6 7 6 6 8 7 5 6 6

10.01-20.00 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2

20 or more 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.10: Distance to school for students (%)

Distance to School National Rural Urban

(in KM) Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

0-2.00 79 75 77 44 38 41 72 69 70

2.01-5.00 16 18 18 29 29 29 20 22 21

5.01-10.00 4 5 4 15 17 16 5 6 6

10.01-20.00 1 1 1 7 9 8 2 2 2

20 or more 0 1 0 5 7 6 1 1 1

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.11: Individuals (aged 10+) who have received or are currently part of training (%)
National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 9 13 11 9 12 11 8 14 11

KP 9 16 13 9 15 12 9 21 15

Punjab 12 17 15 12 16 14 12 20 16

Sindh 2 4 3 2 3 2 1 4 3

Balochistan 2 3 3 2 3 2 1 4 3

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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Table 1.12: Youth (aged 15-29) who have received or are currently part of training (%)
National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 10 14 12 11 13 12 8.6 15 12

KP 11 16 13 11 15 13 11 19 16

Punjab 14 19 16 15 18 16 12 20 16

Sindh 1.9 3.8 2.9 2.3 2.8 2.6 1.6 4.7 3.2

Balochistan 1.9 3.6 2.8 2.1 3.2 2.7 1.4 4.5 3.1

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 1.13: NEET Rate of youth (aged 15-24) by province (%)

National/ Provinces Not in Education Not in Employment Not in Training NEET Rate

Female

National 75 81 91 55

KP 82 86 90 68

Punjab 70 77 88 46

Sindh 79 86 98 65

Balochistan 86 90 98 75
Male

National 69 42 88 11

KP 59 50 88 10

Punjab 71 41 83 10

Sindh 73 36 97 10

Balochistan 68 46 97 14
Overall

National 72 61 89 33

KP 70 68 89 38

Punjab 70 59 86 28

Sindh 76 60 97 36

Balochistan 76 66 98 42

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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 Table 1.14: Respondents (aged 18+) by education & labor force (%)

Having 12 Grade & above Education and

National/ Having 12 Grade and Above Education
who are part of labor force
Provinces
Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 14 18 16 30 83 60

KP 10 20 15 49 80 70

Punjab 17 16 17 31 81 55

Sindh 11 23 17 17 86 64

Balochistan 5 15 10 36 81 71

Rural 8 12 10 44 83 68

KP 8 18 13 55 80 72

Punjab 10 10 10 42 84 63

Sindh 2 12 7 34 87 79

Balochistan 3 11 7 56 81 77

Urban 23 28 26 22 82 55

KP 18 31 25 37 79 64

Punjab 27 25 26 24 80 51

Sindh 19 32 26 15 86 60
Balochistan 9 25 18 20 81 66
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

147 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 1.15: Youth (aged 18-29) by education & labor force participation (%)

Having 12 Grade & above Education and

National/ Having 12 Grade and Above Education
who are part of labor force
Provinces
Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 21 21 21 31 74 52

KP 15 26 21 45 68 59

Punjab 27 20 23 31 75 49

Sindh 13 22 18 17 79 56

Balochistan 7 16 12 31 67 56

Rural 14 16 15 43 74 59

KP 13 24 19 50 69 62

Punjab 19 14 16 42 76 55

Sindh 4 14 9 27 82 71

Balochistan 4 13 9 55 63 61

Urban 33 30 31 22 74 47

KP 26 36 31 32 65 51

Punjab 40 29 34 23 74 45

Sindh 23 30 27 15 78 51
Balochistan 16 25 21 14 71 51
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 1.16: Status of school by availability of basic facilities - overall urban (%)
Rooms used
Drinking Useable Boundary Electricity
School Level for Classes Playground
water toilets wall connection
(avg.)
Government Schools

Primary 6 83 88 93 78 48

Middle / Elementary 12 86 100 100 100 86

Secondary 17 96 77 89 78 80

Other 12 94 75 98 92 57

Private Schools

Primary 7 100 83 98 88 56

Middle / Elementary 10 100 93 93 57 62

Secondary 18 80 100 100 93 87

Other 12 100 99 99 93 52
Source: ASER National Urban Report 2021

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 Table 1.17: Status of school by availability of basic facilities - overall rural (%)
Rooms used
Drinking Useable Boundary Electricity
School Level for Classes Playground
water toilets wall connection
(avg.)
Government Schools

Primary 4 61 59 75 56 37

Middle/ Elementary 7 78 77 81 72 58

Secondary 11 87 86 87 79 67

Other 9 83 86 84 82 57

Private Schools

Primary 6 93 89 87 81 52

Middle / Elementary 9 92 92 84 83 59

Secondary 13 95 96 92 87 66

Other 11 92 93 86 89 68
Source: ASER National Urban Report 2021

Table 1.18: Median education-related expenses (PKR) in the last year per student (aged 5-15)
National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 7,000 7,000 7,000 5,250 5,300 5,300 10,600 11,500 11,000

KP 6,050 6,750 6,500 6,000 6,000 6,000 10,000 12,000 10,000

Punjab 7,550 7,600 7,600 5,900 6,000 5,940 11,500 12,000 12,000

Sindh 7,000 6,000 6,300 3,600 4,000 3,800 10,700 11,700 11,200

Balochistan 4,000 4,000 4,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 5,000 5,800 5,400

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

Table 1.19: Median education-related expenses (PKR) in the last year per student (aged 15-29)
National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 20,000 19,000 20,000 18,000 15,000 16,000 22,500 25,000 24,000

KP 16,000 17,000 16,500 15,000 15,000 15,000 20,000 25,600 25,000

Punjab 22,000 21,950 22,000 20,000 18,000 18,500 25,000 28,600 25,500

Sindh 18,000 16,000 17,000 11,100 11,200 11,200 20,000 20,000 20,000

Balochistan 12,100 13,000 13,000 13,500 11,750 12,000 12,000 15,300 14,800

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

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Chapter 2: Employment and Economic Empowerment

Table 2.1: Refined and Augmented LFP Rate among females (aged 15-64)

National/ Refined LFPR Augmented LFPR

Provinces National Rural Urban National Rural Urban

National 22 29 10 36 47 16

KP 15 17 8 45 51 17

Punjab 26 35 12 35 44 18

Sindh 15 26 7 32 57 12

Balochistan 13 16 5 35 41 19

Source: Estimated from LFS 2018-19

Table 2.2: Refined LFP rate (aged 15-64) by Province & Sex

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 26 84 55 34 86 59 12 81 47

KP 19 80 49 21 81 50 11 78 45

Punjab 31 84 57 41 87 63 15 80 48

Sindh 18 86 53 30 90 61 8 83 47

Balochistan 14 82 50 18 84 53 5 77 44

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.3: Refined LFP rate among youth (aged 15-29) by Province & Sex

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 24 73 49 31 76 53 12 68 41

KP 19 66 42 21 66 43 12 62 38

Punjab 29 74 51 38 78 57 14 69 42

Sindh 17 76 48 28 84 56 8 69 40

Balochistan 14 69 43 17 71 46 5 64 37

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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 Table 2.4: Age-Specific LFP Rates (%)

National Rural Urban

Age Category
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Overall 21 68 45 28 69 48 10 66 39

10-14 years 4 5 5 6 7 7 0 3 1

15-19 years 17 48 33 23 54 39 5 37 22

20-24 years 28 86 56 35 88 60 15 83 49

25-29 years 29 96 61 37 97 65 16 96 54

30-34 years 28 99 61 37 99 66 14 99 54

35-39 years 30 98 63 39 99 68 15 98 57

40-44 years 30 99 65 40 99 68 15 99 59

45-49 years 31 98 65 41 98 69 14 98 58

50-54 years 26 93 60 36 96 67 10 88 51

55-59 years 18 84 52 25 88 58 7 77 42

60-64 years 12 59 37 17 67 44 3 45 26

65 years & above 5 33 21 6 36 23 2 25 15

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.5: LFPR (aged 15-64) by marital status (%)

National Rural Urban

Marital Status
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Never married 22 66 48 28 68 52 13 62 42

Currently married 27 95 58 35 96 63 11 93 51

Widowed 25 75 36 31 79 42 16 68 26

Divorced 45 94 67 53 95 72 32 92 59

Total 26 84 55 34 86 59 12 81 47

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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Table 2.6: Female LFPR by education level across marital status
Education Level Never married Currently married Widow Divorced Total
No Schooling 38 64 71 60 62

Up to Primary 18 13 12 15 10

Middle & Up to Matric 16 10 9 13 12

Intermediate 8 3 2 2 4

Graduation or above 20 10 6 10 12

Total 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.7: Refined LFPR (aged 15-64) by education level

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 31 92 52 36 93 55 12 88 39

Nursery/K.G. 29 92 65 37 93 70 11 89 54

Primary 21 85 58 29 87 63 9 83 49

Middle 13 73 51 21 76 57 6 70 43

Matric 12 79 53 19 81 61 7 78 46

Intermediate 15 80 53 27 81 61 9 79 47

Graduation or above 44 90 69 60 90 76 35 90 65

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.8: LFPR of young women (aged 15-29) by education level

Female Male
Educational Level
National Rural Urban National Rural Urban

No Schooling 50 57 20 26 32 17

Up to Primary 16 16 12 22 24 19

Middle 6 6 7 18 17 19

Matric 7 6 13 17 15 21

Intermediate 6 4 11 10 8 13

Graduation or above 15 11 37 7 4 11

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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 Table 2.9: Refined LFPR among youth (aged 15-29) by education level

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 31 91 52 36 92 55 12 88 42

Nursery/K.G. 32 88 63 38 89 66 12 84 54

Primary 20 76 52 26 78 55 9 73 45

Middle 11 57 39 16 61 45 5 53 33

Matric 12 66 42 17 68 48 7 63 36

Intermediate 16 68 44 24 70 51 10 66 38

Graduation or above 48 84 63 62 82 71 36 86 58

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.10 Employed workers (aged 15-64) by employment status (%)

National Rural Urban

Employment Status
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Paid Employee 26 48 43 18 43 36 63 56 58

Employer 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 4 3

Self-employed 19 40 35 19 44 37 20 33 31

Unpaid worker 55 10 21 63 12 26 17 7 8

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.11: Employed young workers (aged 15-29) by employment status (%)

National Rural Urban

Employment Status
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Paid Employee 27 52 46 20 48 40 61 61 62

Employer 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 1

Self-employed 14 26 23 13 28 24 19 22 21

Unpaid worker 59 21 30 67 24 36 20 15 16

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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Table 2.12: Employed females by employment status across provinces (%)

All (Aged 15-64) Youth (Aged 15-29)

Employment Status
KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan

Paid Employee 21 25 29 23 20 27 29 27

Employer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Self-employed 32 20 11 3 21 14 10 2

Unpaid worker 47 55 60 74 59 59 61 71

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.13: Employed workers by main occupations (%)

National Rural Urban

Main Occupations
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
All (Aged 15-64)

Professionals 9 4 5 5 3 4 30 6 9

Skilled Agricultural workers 63 25 33 72 36 46 13 4 5

Craft & related trade

12 14 14 10 11 10 24 21 21
workers

Elementary occupation
11 18 17 10 21 18 17 14 15
workers

Others* 5 39 31 3 29 22 16 55 50

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Youth (Aged 15-29)

Professionals 10 3 5 6 2 3 33 5 8

Skilled Agricultural workers 59 23 31 67 34 44 13 4 5

Craft & related trade

15 16 16 14 12 12 26 23 23
workers

Elementary occupation
12 22 20 11 25 21 13 17 16
workers

Others* 4 36 28 2 27 20 15 51 48

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Note: Others include managers; technicians and associate professionals; clerical support workers; service and
sales workers; and plant/machine operators.
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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 Table 2.14: Employed workers by major industry (%)

National Rural Urban

Major Industry Division
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
All (15-64 years)

Agriculture, Forestry, &

67 27 37 77.7 41 52 15 5 6
Fishing
Manufacturing 14 15 15 11 11 11 29 23 23
Community, Social and
16 12 13 10 9 9 47 15 19
Personal Services
Others* 3 46 35 1.3 39 28 9 57 52

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Youth (15-29 years)
Agriculture, Forestry, &
66 28 37 75 40 50 15 5 6
Fishing
Manufacturing 17 17 17 14 12 13 32 25 26

Community, Social and

15 9 10 10 7 8 45 12 16
Personal Services

Others* 2 46 36 1 41 29 8 58 52

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Note: Others include Mining & Quarrying; Electricity & Gas; Construction; Wholesale & retail; Transport, Storage
& IT services; and Financing, real estate sector.
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.15: Unemployment rate (aged 15-64) by province (%)

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 9 6 6 8 5 6 16 6 7

KP 16 7 9 16 7 9 17 7 9

Punjab 9 6 7 7 6 6 15 7 8

Sindh 6 4 4 2 2 2 18 5 6

Balochistan 6 4 5 3 4 3 30 6 8

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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Table 2.16: Unemployment rate of youth (aged 15-29) by province (%)

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 15 9 10 13 8 9 24 11 13

KP 25 10 14 25 10 14 25 14 15

Punjab 15 9 11 13 8 10 24 11 13

Sindh 8 6 6 4 3 3 24 10 11

Balochistan 8 9 9 4 7 6 38 14 16

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.17: Unemployment rate (aged 15-64) by education level (%)

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 2 4 3 2 3 3 4 4 4

Nursery/K.G. 4 3 3 4 3 3 7 3 3

Primary 6 4 4 5 4 4 12 3 4

Middle 12 6 6 11 5 6 15 6 7

Matric 20 8 9 19 8 9 22 7 8

Intermediate 30 9 12 30 10 13 30 8 10

Graduation or above 34 9 16 43 10 22 24 9 12
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.18: Unemployment rate/ distribution of unemployed (aged 15-64) by education (%)

Unemployment Rate Distribution of Unemployment Rate

Educational Level
National Rural Urban National Rural Urban

No Schooling 2 2 4 16 21 7

Nursery/K.G. 4 4 7 2 2 1

Primary 6 5 12 6 6 7

Middle 12 11 15 7 8 7

Matric 20 19 22 12 10 15

Intermediate 30 30 30 13 12 14

Graduation or above 34 43 24 44 41 49

Total 9 7 16 100 100 100

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

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 Table 2.19: Unemployment rate of youth (aged 15-29) by education (%)

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 3 5 4 3 4 4 5 7 6

Nursery/K.G. 5 4 4 5 4 4 11 4 4

Primary 6 5 5 5 5 5 14 5 6

Middle 17 8 9 17 7 8 16 10 10

Matric 27 12 14 26 12 14 29 12 14

Intermediate 39 15 19 41 14 19 36 16 18

Graduation or above 46 20 31 55 19 37 34 21 25
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.20: Under-employment rate (time related) of employed workers (aged 15-64)

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1

KP 2 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 3

Punjab 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 2

Sindh 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 1

Balochistan 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 1

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.21: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in vulnerable employment by province/ region & sex

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1

KP 2 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 3

Punjab 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 2

Sindh 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 1

Balochistan 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 1

Note: Vulnerable Employment includes own account worker (agriculture & non-agriculture) and contributing
family workers.
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

157 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 2.22: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-64) by education (%)

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 84 45 60 87 47 64 47 38 40

Nursery/K.G. 80 46 51 84 48 54 56 43 44

Primary 75 49 51 82 53 56 52 42 43

Middle 59 47 48 66 51 52 46 43 43

Matric 35 41 41 37 45 44 30 38 37

Intermediate 9 24 20 7 27 21 11 22 20

Graduation or above 46 20 31 55 19 37 34 21 25
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.23: Vulnerable employment of workers (aged 15-64) by education & province (%)

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 93 83 79 91 44 48 38 43 40

Nursery/K.G. 91 80 70 77 46 49 40 43 44

Primary 93 77 55 67 48 52 40 46 43

Middle 67 63 36 9 49 50 40 41 43

Matric 44 36 21 5 45 44 37 29 37

Intermediate 4 11 8 0 24 27 19 15 20

Graduation or above 46 20 31 55 19 37 34 21 25
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.24: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in the informal sector (%)

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 65 73 72 70 77 76 58 69 68

KP 61 77 75 66 77 76 41 75 72

Punjab 64 74 72 69 77 76 58 70 69

Sindh 73 69 70 85 75 76 63 67 66

Balochistan 55 74 73 56 76 75 52 70 69

Note: The informal employment is only calculated for non-agricultural industry and agricultural sector is
excluded from analysis.
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 158

 Table 2.25: Employed young workers (aged 15-29) in informal sector (%)

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
National 67 77 75 72 80 79 57 73 71

KP 72 81 80 76 81 81 59 83 80

Punjab 64 75 73 70 78 77 54 71 69

Sindh 77 77 77 88 81 82 65 74 73

Balochistan 58 82 80 53 83 81 78 80 79

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.26: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in informal sector by education (%)

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 87 84 84 88 85 85 84 82 82

Nursery/K.G. 90 84 84 93 84 85 86 83 83

Primary 86 80 80 90 82 83 81 78 78

Middle 68 72 71 65 72 71 71 71 71

Matric 46 59 58 42 58 56 52 60 59

Intermediate 18 32 28 18 31 27 19 32 29

Graduation or above 46 20 31 55 19 37 34 21 25
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

159 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 2.27: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in informal sector by major non-agriculture industry (%)

National Rural Urban

Major Industry
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Mining & Quarrying 37 33 33 100 34 34 8 31 31

Manufacturing 87 54 61 90 55 65 81 53 57

Electricity, gas &

8 14 14 44 16 16 5 12 12
water

Construction 61 94 94 90 95 95 24 91 90

Wholesale & retail

trade and restaurant 98 95 95 99 96 96 96 94 94
& hotels

Transport, storage
23 85 85 76 91 91 18 77 77
and communication

Financing, insurance,
real estate and 28 53 51 39 52 51 25 53 51
business services

Community, social,
personal services
45 38 40 45 41 42 44 36 38
and rest of the
remaining industries

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.28: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in informal sector by main occupations (%)

National Rural Urban

Major Occupations
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Managers 17 42 41 19 49 47 15 39 38

Professionals 24 32 29 25 40 34 24 27 26

Technicians & Associate

15 49 46 12 55 49 21 46 44
professionals

Clerical support activities 12 14 14 0 13 13 16 14 14

Service and sales workers 87 87 87 89 85 85 85 89 89

Craft & related trades

96 85 88 99 89 92 91 82 84
workers
Plant/machine operators &
54 74 74 70 78 78 41 69 69
assemblers
Elementary (unskilled)
75 74 74 73 78 77 77 67 68
occupations

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 160

 Table 2.29: Employed workers (aged 15-64) in non-agriculture sector by education (%)

National Rural Urban

Education Level
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

No Schooling 18 59 43 13 49 33 68 91 86

Nursery/K.G. 35 72 67 27 61 55 81 94 93

Primary 46 75 73 33 62 58 91 96 95

Middle 66 80 79 50 67 65 94 96 96

Matric 82 85 85 74 72 72 96 97 97

Intermediate 98 93 94 96 84 88 100 98 99

Graduation or above 46 20 31 55 19 37 34 21 25
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.30: Employed workers (aged 15-64) by nature of job agreement (%)

National/ Female Male

Provinces Regular Contract Without Contract Regular Contract Without Contract

National 22 6 72 16 5 79

KP 45 4 51 21 3 76

Punjab 20 8 72 13 6 81

Sindh 15 3 82 16 5 79

Balochistan 47 1 52 29 3 68

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.31: Employed workers (aged 15-64) by nature of job agreement and education (%)

Female Male
Education Level
Regular Contract Without Contract Regular Contract Without Contract

No schooling 1 1 98 3 2 95

Primary 3 1 96 5 2 93

Middle 10 3 87 8 4 88

Matric 32 6 62 22 7 71

Intermediate 37 10 53 36 10 54

Graduation or above 53 14 33 53 16 31

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

161 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 2.32: Weekly working hours of employed workers (aged 15-64) in non-agriculture sector (%)

National/ Female Male Total

Provinces < 34 35-50 > 50 < 34 35-50 > 50 < 34 35-50 > 50
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
National 36 56 8 5 48 47 8 49 43

KP 52 44 4 7 54 39 12 53 35

Punjab 37 54 9 5 48 47 9 49 42

Sindh 22 68 10 2 44 54 4 45 51

Balochistan 14 81 5 3 48 49 4 50 46

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.33: Weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) in non-agriculture sector by education (%)

Female Male Total

Education level
< 34 35-50 > 50 < 34 35-50 > 50 < 34 35-50 > 50
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

No Schooling 42 47 11 6 48 46 12 48 40

Primary 45 48 7 4 45 51 8 45 47

Middle 45 47 8 4 43 53 6 43 51

Matric 34 56 10 3 45 52 5 46 49

Intermediate 27 65 8 3 51 46 5 52 43

Graduation or above 22 74 4 5 64 31 9 66 25

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 162

 Table 2.34: Weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by main occupation (%)

Female Male Total

Major Occupations < 34 35-50 > 50 < 34 35-50 > 50 < 34 35-50 > 50
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
Managers 14 74 12 2 53 45 3 54 43

Professionals 26 71 3 11 70 19 16 70 14

Technicians & Associate

7 83 10 4 59 37 5 61 34
professionals

Clerical support activities 0 90 10 2 76 22 2 77 21

Service and sales workers 23 47 30 2 29 69 3 30 67

Skilled Agriculture 47 49 4 12 53 35 27 51 22

Craft & related trades workers 53 43 4 5 50 45 14 49 37

Plant/machine operators &

33 43 24 2 36 62 3 36 61
assemblers

Elementary (unskilled)
33 52 15 8 61 31 12 59 29
occupations

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.35: Weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by major industry (%)

Female Male Total

Major Industry 35- 35- 35-

< 34 > 50 < 34 > 50 < 34 > 50
50 50 50
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
hrs hrs hrs
Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing 46 49 5 11 51 37 26 50 24

Mining & Quarrying 0 100 0 1 57 42 1 57 42

Manufacturing 49 45 6 3 49 48 13 48 39

Electricity, gas & water 14 71 15 4 74 22 4 74 22

Construction 28 63 9 11 69 20 11 69 19

Wholesale & retail trade and restaurant &

21 41 37 2 30 68 3 30 67
hotels

Transport, storage and communication 0 82 18 2 35 63 2 35 63

Financing, insurance, real estate and

6 81 14 3 56 41 3 57 39
business services

Community, social, personal services and

26 66 8 6 61 34 11 62 26
rest of the remaining industries
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

163 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 2.36: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64)

National/ National Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 34 51 47 33 50 45 38 53 51

KP 27 48 44 26 47 43 34 50 48

Punjab 34 51 46 33 50 44 38 53 51

Sindh 39 52 50 38 51 48 40 53 53

Balochistan 44 52 51 44 52 51 40 53 52

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.37: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) by main occupation

National Rural Urban

Main Occupations
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Managers 42 52 51 41 52 51 42 52 51

Professionals 38 45 42 37 44 41 38 46 43

Technicians & Associate

45 50 50 45 50 49 45 50 50
professionals

Clerical support activities 45 48 48 42 47 47 46 48 48

Service and sales workers 45 57 57 43 57 57 46 57 57

Skilled agricultural &

32 47 40 32 46 40 33 47 43
fishery workers

Craft & related trades

31 51 47 31 51 45 33 52 49
workers

Plant/machine operators &

41 56 56 38 56 56 43 56 56
assemblers
Elementary (unskilled)
39 48 47 37 48 46 43 49 48
occupations
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 164

 Table 2.38: Average weekly working hours of workers (aged 15-64) in main occupation by province

National Rural Urban

Main Occupations
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Managers 37 50 41 51 47 54 47 54 51

Professionals 39 43 37 45 39 46 42 45 43

Technicians & Associate

45 47 45 50 45 52 49 51 50
professionals

Clerical support activities 40 46 46 48 46 49 0 45 48

Service and sales workers 45 55 44 58 46 58 47 57 57

Skilled agricultural &

24 39 32 47 38 47 44 51 43
fishery workers

Craft & related trades

26 49 30 51 36 53 39 52 49
workers

Plant/machine operators &

34 55 40 56 46 57 49 56 56
assemblers

Elementary (unskilled)
25 45 39 48 42 51 48 48 48
occupations
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.39: Median monthly wages (PKR) of workers (aged 15-64)

National/ Overall Rural Urban

Provinces Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

National 12,000 18,900 18,000 10,290 17,640 16,800 15,000 21,000 20,400

KP 20,000 20,000 20,000 21,420 18,900 18,900 15,000 20,000 20,000

Punjab 12,000 18,500 18,000 10,000 17,640 16,800 15,000 20,000 20,000

Sindh 10,500 18,000 18,000 8,400 14,700 13,440 15,000 22,000 22,000
Balochistan 15,000 22,000 22,000 12,600 20,160 20,160 15,000 25,500 25,200
Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

165 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 2.40: Median monthly wages (PKR) of workers (aged 15-64) by education level
Graduation or
National/ No Schooling Primary Matric
above
Provinces
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

National 8,400 15,120 8,820 17,000 16,800 20,160 32,500 45,000

KP 8,400 17,640 5,040 17,640 17,000 20,160 30,000 38,000

Punjab 8,400 16,000 8,820 17,640 16,000 20,000 32,000 45,000

Sindh 8,400 14,700 10,500 15,120 20,000 21,000 35,000 48,000

Balochistan 10,500 16,800 10,500 19,000 10,500 27,000 36,000 47,000

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.41: Median monthly wages (PKR) of workers (aged 15-64) in informal sector & gender wage gap (%)

National/ Overall Rural Urban Gender Wage Gap (%)

Provinces Female Male Female Male Female Male Overall Rural Urban

National 9,660 16,800 8,400 16,800 10,000 17,640 43 50 43

KP 10,000 17,640 10,000 17,640 10,000 18,000 43 43 44

Punjab 9,450 17,640 8,000 16,800 10,000 18,000 46 52 44

Sindh 8,400 15,000 7,560 13,440 11,000 16,800 44 44 35

Balochistan 10,500 17,640 10,500 16,800 8,400 20,000 40 38 58

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Table 2.42: Monthly wages of workers (aged 15-64) by rural/ urban & sex (%)

National Rural Urban

Monthly wages
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total

Below Minimum wage 64 43 46 70 49 52 55 32 36

Minimum wage 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1

Between Rs. 17,501-20,000 5 13 12 4 13 12 6 14 12

Between Rs. 20,001-30,000 11 25 22 11 23 21 12 26 24

Between Rs. 30,001-40,000 7 9 9 7 8 8 8 11 11

Between Rs. 40,001-50,000 6 4 5 5 3 3 7 6 6

More than Rs. 50,000 7 6 6 3 4 4 11 10 10

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Note: Minimum wage was PKR 17500 in Fiscal year 2020-21

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 166

 Table 2.44: Monthly wages of workers (aged 15-64) by education & sex (%)

Monthly No Graduation
Gender Primary Middle Matric Intermediate Total
wage Schooling or above

Female 90 89 80 53 50 26 64
Below
Minimum Male 60 50 45 33 24 8 42
wage
Total 65 53 47 34 27 13 45

Female 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Minimum
Male 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
wage
Total 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

Female 4 3 7 11 9 5 5
Between
Rs. 17501- Male 13 16 17 17 12 4 13
20000
Total 12 15 16 16 12 4 12

Female 5 7 10 22 19 17 11
Between
Rs. 20001- Male 21 26 28 29 27 15 24
30000
Total 18 24 27 28 26 16 22

Female 1 1 1 8 11 18 7
Between
Rs. 30001- Male 4 6 8 13 18 18 9
40000
Total 4 6 7 13 17 18 9

Female 0 0 0 3 5 16 6
Between
Rs. 40001- Male 1 1 2 5 11 16 4
50000
Total 1 1 2 5 10 16 5

Female 1 1 1 2 5 18 7
More than
Male 1 1 1 3 7 39 6
Rs. 50000
Total 1 1 1 3 7 33 6

Source: Estimated from LFS 2020-21

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

167 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 2.45: Financial inclusion among females and males aged 15-49 (%)

Female Male
Characteristics Have a bank Use mobile phone for Have a bank Use mobile phone for
account financial transactions account financial transactions

Overall 6 7 32 21
Age

15-19 0 4 1 9

20-24 3 4 18 22

25-29 4 8 26 22

30-34 7 7 34 23

35-39 7 8 36 17

40-44 8 6 34 22

45-49 12 8 37 20
Education Level

Illiterate 2 6 7 13

Primary 4 9 18 14

Middle 5 5 32 20

Matric 7 5 41 26

Higher 25 9 67 31
Wealth quintile

First 1 7 6 8

Second 2 6 14 17

Third 3 5 23 18

Fourth 7 7 40 25

Fifth 17 8 67 31
Region

Rural 5 7 30 16

Urban 12 10 42 22
Province

KP 3 2 20 13

Punjab 8 8 35 18

Sindh 5 5 33 30

Balochistan 2 12 25 22

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 168

 Chapter 3: Health

Table 3.1: Public Sector Health Expenditure at Federal and Provincial level (Million PKR)

Total Health Development Health Expenditure

Year Current Expenditure
Expenditures Expenditure % of GDP

2011-12 134,182 29,898 104,284 0.7

2012-13 161,202 31,781 129,421 0.6

2013-14 201,986 55,904 146,082 0.7

2014-15 231,172 65,213 165,959 0.7

2015-16 267,953 75,249 192,704 0.8

2016-17 328,962 99,005 229,957 0.9

2017-18 416,467 87,434 329,033 1.1

2018-19 421,778 58,624 363,154 1.0

2019-20 505,411 77,496 427,915 1.1

2020-21 657,185 122,867 534,318 1.2

Source: PRSP Expenditures, (EF-Policy Wing), Finance Division

Table 3.2: Province-wise health expenditures (million PKR)

Total Health
Province Year Current Exp. Development Exp. Total Budget
Budget
2021-22 155,338 100,227 255,565 2,653,000
Punjab
2022-23 65,445 41,036 106,481 3,226,400

2021-22 60,319 19,701 80,020 1,118,000

KP
2022-23 50,826 3,797 54,623 1,330,000

2021-22 172,648 9,598 182,246 1,477,900

Sindh
2022-23 80,981 1,440 82,421 1,714,000

2021-22 27,521 6,318 33,839 570,000

Balochistan
2022-23 13,449 3,387 16,836 612,790
Source: PRSP Expenditures, (EF-Policy Wing), Finance Division

169 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 3.3: Health facilities over time in Pakistan

Population Population Population Per Maternity Population per

Population
Year per Hospital per BHUs and Child Health Centers Rural Health
per Bed
(000) (000) (000) Centers (000)

2001 157 27 162 264 1458

2003 165 28 165 271 1513

2005 170 29 172 281 1537

2007 172 30 180 290 1577

2009 176 32 188 297 1639

2011 181 33 208 306 1647

2013 166 33 268 276 1557

2015 164 35 262 280 1604

2016 183 37 265 284 1592

2017 184 38 267 283 1580

Source: Pakistan Economic Survey, various rounds

Table 3.4: Average Distance of Mouzas (administrative districts) from Various Health Facilities (in km)

Type of facility Balochistan KP Punjab Sindh

BHU 31 15 7 11

RHC 40 21 8 12

Child and Mother Care Centre 51 24 10 14

Private Doctor MBBS 51 22 10 12

Hospital/dispensary 40 18 9 12

Midwife facility 50 23 9 13

Source: Mouza Statistics 2020-21

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 170

 Table 3.5: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) having problems accessing healthcare (%)

National/ Permission to go Money for Distance to Not willing At least one

Provinces for treatment treatment health facility to go alone problem
Rural

Overall 21 30 42 58 67

Punjab 24 32 50 64 72

Sindh 12 22 36 55 67

KP 30 51 58 71 82

Balochistan 68 71 80 84 93

Ex-FATA - - - - -

AJ&K 27 39 63 70 78
GB - - - - -
Urban

Overall 21 30 42 58 67

Punjab 14 21 29 48 56

Sindh 8 12 17 38 43

KP 14 29 20 48 58

Balochistan 51 58 61 66 81

Ex-FATA - - - - -

AJ&K 15 23 41 57 64

GB - - - - -

Source: Estimated from 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey

171 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 3.6: Nutritional status among ever married women (aged 15-49) (%)

National/ Moderate/
Mildly Thin Normal Overweight Obese
Provinces severely Thin
National 3 5 39 30 22
Punjab 3 4 37 31 25
Sindh 5 10 46 26 13
KP 2 4 36 35 22
Balochistan 2 3 43 29 21
Islamabad 1 2 30 39 29
Ex-FATA 0 3 39 34 25
AJ&K 3 6 46 27 19
GB 0 2 60 28 11
Source: Estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, 2017-18

Table 3.7: Age at first marriage by province (%)

Age category Balochistan KP Punjab Sindh Overall
Overall
Before 16 6 14 7 7 8
Before 18 18 26 17 24 21
Before 20 35 27 25 29 27
20 & above 41 33 50 41 44
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Rural only
Before 16 7 14 8 7 9
Before 18 20 26 19 26 22
Before 20 36 27 26 32 28
20 & above 38 33 47 35 41
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Urban only
Before 16 4 14 5 6 6
Before 18 15 25 15 21 18
Before 20 31 26 24 25 25
20 & above 50 35 57 47 52
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Source: estimated from Pakistan Demographic Survey 2020-21
Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 172

 Table 3.8: Ever married young women using any modern contraception method by province & rural/ urban (%)

National/ Provinces Rural Urban Overall

National 14 19 16

Punjab 15 19 16

Sindh 14 20 17

KP 17 21 18

Balochistan 6 14 8

Islamabad 27 25 26

FATA 7 15 8

AJ&K 13 14 13

GB 22 16 20

Source: estimated from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18

Table 3.9: Indicators related to safe delivery for young women by province & rural/ urban (%)

National/ Prenatal consultation Birth in hospitals Postnatal care

Provinces Overall Rural Urban Overall Rural Urban Overall Rural Urban

National 77 72 86 70 64 85 39 34 48

Punjab 83 80 89 74 68 85 42 39 48

Sindh 73 63 84 70 57 87 40 32 48

KP 69 66 82 66 63 83 30 28 45

Balochistan 63 59 75 53 47 69 28 25 36

Source: Estimated from PSLM 2019-20

173 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Chapter 5: Violence Against Women & Girls and Access to Justice

Table 5.1: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who had ever experienced spousal violence (%)

Type of Violence Overall Rural Urban

Emotional 26 28 23

Physical 23 25 20

Sexual 5 5 5

Physical or Sexual 24 26 21

Physical, Sexual, or emotional 34 36 30

Source: PDHS 2017-18

Table 5.2 Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who had ever experienced spousal violence by province & region (%)

KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan

Type of Violence
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
Emotional 51 36 21 27 14 12 30 30
Physical 38 25 20 23 13 11 46 41
Sexual 8 7 4 5 4 4 2 6
Physical or Sexual 38 25 21 24 15 11 46 41
Physical, Sexual, or emotional 55 38 30 37 20 16 51 46
Source: PDHS 2017-18

Table 5.3 Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who had ever experienced spousal violence by wealth quintile (%)

Wealth Quintile
Type of Violence
Poorest Poor Middle Rich Richest

Emotional 27 34 28 23 18

Physical 27 33 22 19 16

Sexual 4 7 6 3 4

Physical or Sexual 28 33 23 20 16

Physical, Sexual, or emotional 35 42 36 31 25

Source: PDHS 2017-18

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 174

 Table 5.4: Ever-married women (aged 15-49) who had ever experienced spousal violence by employment status (%)

Employment Type
Type of Violence
Paid Employment Unpaid Work Not Employed

Emotional 27 30 25

Physical 22 29 23

Sexual 7 8 4

Physical or Sexual 23 34 24

Physical, Sexual, or emotional 34 47 33

Source: PDHS 2017-18

Table 5.5: Attitude towards violence: justifications by women (aged 15-49) for wife-beating (%)

Reason for Beating KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan

Wife Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

She goes out without

47 41 16 15 20 16 26 43
telling him

If she neglects the

46 39 18 15 23 18 27 46
children

If she argues with

50 41 19 17 25 20 29 43
husband

If she refuses sex with

27 13 15 11 21 15 25 33
husband

If she burns food 21 12 12 8 18 9 22 32

Any of above reason 59 53 25 24 32 31 40 58

Source: KP, MICS 2019; Punjab, MICS 2017-18; Sindh, MICS 2018-19; Balochistan, MICS 2019-20

175 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Chapter 6: Decision-making and Agency

Table 6.1: Decision-making regarding women’s education (%)

Other HH In consultation
Head of HH
National Woman Herself Members with HH Total
alone
Except Woman Women
Provinces
Women (aged 15-49)

National 12 44 33 11 100

KP 2 66 23 9 100

Punjab 17 33 38 12 100

Sindh 8 45 33 14 100

Balochistan 2 76 17 5 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)

National 9 44 31 15 100

KP 2 65 22 11 100

Punjab 13 35 36 16 100

Sindh 6 45 32 18 100

Balochistan 2 76 16 6 100

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 176

 Table 6.2: Decision-making regarding women’s paid employment (%)

Other HH In consultation
Head of HH
National/ Woman Herself Members with HH Total
alone
Except Woman Women
Provinces
Women (aged 15-49)

National 12 41 36 11 100

KP 2 63 26 9 100

Punjab 16 33 40 11 100

Sindh 12 38 35 15 100

Balochistan 2 76 18 4 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)

National 9 42 34 15 100

KP 2 62 27 10 100

Punjab 12 35 37 16 100

Sindh 10 38 33 19 100

Balochistan 2 76 17 5 100

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

Table 6.3: Decision regarding birth control by ever married women (%)

Husband Husband &

National/ Wife Herself Others Nobody Total
Alone Wife Jointly
Provinces
Women (aged 15-49)

National 9 4 65 1 21 100

KP 8 5 74 1 11 100

Punjab 9 3 70 1 18 100

Sindh 8 3 56 2 30 100

Balochistan 11 6 29 3 50 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)

National 9 4 61 1 25 100

KP 8 5 72 1 15 100

Punjab 10 3 64 1 21 100

Sindh 9 3 51 2 36 100

Balochistan 9 6 27 5 54 100

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

177 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 6.4: Decision regarding purchase of food items (%)

Other HH
Head of HH In consultation
Woman Herself Members Total
Province alone with HH Women
Except Woman

Women (aged 15-49)

National 33 18 31 17 100
KP 19 37 34 10 100
Punjab 47 7 22 24 100
Sindh 15 29 46 11 100
Balochistan 12 32 52 4 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)
National 28 19 30 22 100
KP 18 37 34 11 100
Punjab 40 8 19 32 100
Sindh 12 30 47 11 100
Balochistan 10 33 52 5 100
Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

Table 6.5: Decision regarding purchase of clothing and footwear (%)

Other HH
Head of HH In consultation
National/ Woman Herself Members Except Total
alone with HH Women
Woman
Provinces
Women (aged 15-49)
National 37 12 29 23 100
KP 36 20 22 22 100
Punjab 44 5 27 25 100
Sindh 28 14 35 23 100
Balochistan 9 45 42 5 100
Young Women (aged 15-29)
National 32 12 26 29 100
KP 34 20 21 25 100
Punjab 37 5 24 34 100
Sindh 26 14 33 27 100
Balochistan 9 43 42 7 100
Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 178

 Table 6.6: Decision regarding medical treatment (%)

Other HH Members In consultation with

National/ Woman Herself Head of HH alone
Except Woman HH Women
Provinces
Women (age 15-49)

National 12 17 42 28

KP 8 25 36 31

Punjab 17 9 44 30

Sindh 7 21 46 27

Balochistan 1 61 31 6
Young Women (age 15-29)

National 7 18 39 36

KP 7 25 32 36

Punjab 9 10 40 41

Sindh 6 21 44 29

Balochistan 1 61 30 8

Source: Estimated from HIES 2018-19

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

179 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Chapter 7: Citizenship & Political Participation

Table 7.1: Population (18+) having CNIC (%)

Women Men
Province
Rural Urban Overall Rural Urban Overall

KP 77 81 78 93 93 93

Punjab 73 80 76 90 93 91

Sindh 68 73 71 82 89 86

Balochistan 58 73 62 79 88 82

Pakistan 72 78 74 88 91 90

Source: Population Census 2017-18

Table 7.2: Performance in legislative business (%)

National Punjab Sindh Balochistan

KP Assembly
Indicators Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

Membership 20 80 20 80 19 81 19 81 17 83

Attendance 80 67 77 48 - - 68 65 - -

Standing
Committee 6 94 42 58 14 86 14 86 29 71
Chairpersons

Resolutions 44 56 33 67 44 56 42 58 6 94

Call attention
30 70 47 53 35 65 28 72 14 86
notices

Questions 36 64 37 63 42 58 25 75 2 98

Private members’
24 76 0 100 38 62 0 0 - -
bills

Adjournment
- - 47 53 25 75 24 76 - -
motions

Source: HRCP report based on the data collected from National and Provincial assemblies.[112]

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 180

 Chapter 8: Information & Communication Technology (ICT)Participation

Table 8.1: Computer usage in last 3 months by sex (%)

Characteristics Male Female Overall

Overall 11 6 8
Age

15-24 13 9 11

25-59 10 5 8

50 & above 7 2 5
Education Level

Illiterate/Below Primary 1 0 0

Primary 2 1 1

Middle 6 4 5

Matric 7 4 6

Intermediate 18 11 15

Graduation or above 66 58 62
Wealth Quintile (by using MPI methodology)

First 1 0 1

Second 3 1 2

Third 6 2 4

Fourth 13 7 10

Fifth 27 18 22
Region

Rural 7 3 5

Urban 17 11 14
Province

KP 12 4 8

Punjab 11 8 9

Sindh 10 4 7

Balochistan 6 2 4

Source: PSLM 2019-20

181 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 8.2: Reasons for not using the computer across provinces among rural women (%)

Reasons KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan Overall

Do not know how to use it 78 68 79 83 73

Cultural reasons 13 21 8 11 16

Affordability 4 6 5 3 5

Privacy/security concern 1 0 0 1 1

Use substitute, i.e., mobile phone 2 4 1 1 3

Others 2 1 6 2 2

Total 100 100 100 100 100

Source: PSLM 2019-20

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

Table 8.3: Reasons for not using the computer among rural women by quintile (%)

Wealth Quintile
Reasons
First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Do not know how to use it/not useful 80 77 70 57 41

Cultural reasons 11 14 17 24 30

Affordability 5 5 7 8 8

Privacy/security concern 1 1 0 1 1

Use substitute, i.e., mobile phone 1 2 3 7 15

Others 3 2 2 3 5

Total 100 100 100 100 100

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 182

 Table 8.4: Mobile phone ownership by sex (%)

Female Male
Characteristics
Mobile Phone Smart Phone Mobile Phone Smart Phone
Age

15-24 years 9 11 32 29

25-49 years 26 13 61 31

50 & above 17 6 65 14
Education

Illiterate/Below Primary 17 2 65 7

Primary 24 6 60 17

Middle 22 9 47 24

Matric 28 21 50 38

Intermediate 20 32 35 54

Graduation or above 15 60 20 76
Wealth Quintile (using MPI methodology)

First 11 1 65 7

Second 16 2 62 13

Third 20 5 57 22

Fourth 22 13 47 34

Fifth 24 32 33 55
Region

Rural 16 6 57 19

Urban 24 21 45 39
Province

KP 23 6 53 28

Punjab 18 13 51 27

Sindh 21 13 53 27

Balochistan 12 5 53 25

Source: PSLM 2019-20

183 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 8.5: Mobile phone usage by women by rural/ urban & provinces (%)

Region Mobile Phone Smart Phone None

Rural

KP 74 13 14

Punjab 75 16 9

Sindh 76 6 18

Balochistan 74 11 15

Overall 75 13 12
Urban

KP 66 26 9

Punjab 59 35 7

Sindh 64 29 7

Balochistan 67 22 11

Overall 61 32 7

Source: PSLM 2019-20

Table 8.6: Reasons for not using a mobile phone of women by age (%)

Age
Reasons Overall
15-24 years 25-49 years 50 & above

Using land line 0 1 1 0

Do not know how to use it 36 55 60 41

Not useful 21 15 19 20

Affordability 6 12 7 6

Privacy/security concern 1 0 0 1

Service is not available 1 5 3 2

Not allowed 31 8 4 25

Others 4 4 6 5

Total 100 100 100 100

Source: PSLM 2019-20

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 184

 Table 8.7: Reasons for not using a mobile phone of women by education (%)

Education Level
Reasons Below Graduation
Primary Middle Matric Intermediate
Primary or above

Using land line 1 0 0 0 0 0

Do not know how to use it 49 36 24 22 22 23

Not useful 17 21 25 27 28 28

Affordability 6 7 6 7 8 5

Privacy/security concern 1 1 2 1 3 2

Service is not available 3 0 0 0 0 0

Not allowed 18 32 39 39 34 37

Others 5 3 4 4 5 5

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: PSLM 2019-20

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

185 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

Table 8.8: Internet usage in last 3 months by sex (%)

Characteristics Male Female Overall

Overall 28 15 22
Age

15-24 years 33 18 25

25-49 years 30 16 23

50 & above 15 9 12
Education

Illiterate/Below Primary 7 3 5

Primary 17 10 14

Middle 27 17 23

Matric 39 28 35

Intermediate 57 43 51

Graduation or above 78 66 73
Wealth Quintile

First 6 1 4

Second 13 3 8

Third 22 8 15

Fourth 36 19 27

Fifth 58 40 49
Region

Rural 19 8 14

Urban 42 26 34
Province

KP 28 8 17

Punjab 28 17 23

Sindh 31 18 25

Balochistan 21 6 14

National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023 186

 Table 8.9: Reasons for women not using the internet by province (%)

Reasons KP Punjab Sindh Balochistan Overall

Not useful 25 32 18 20 27

Do not know how to use it 56 48 60 57 52

Affordability 1 3 3 2 3

Privacy/security concern 1 0 0 1 1

Service is not available 3 1 1 4 1

Cultural constraints 2 1 0 2 1

Do not know what internet is 4 7 6 4 6

Not allowed 5 6 5 9 6

Others 0 2 6 1 2

All of the above 4 1 1 2 2

Total 100 100 100 100 100

Source: PSLM 2019-20

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

Table 8.10: Reasons for women not using the internet by education (%)

Below Graduation or
Reasons Primary Middle Matric Intermediate
Primary above

Not useful 25 34 40 45 46 51

Do not know how to use it 55 45 34 28 24 22

Affordability 3 5 6 7 8 7

Privacy/security concern 0 1 1 1 1 1

Service is not available 1 1 0 0 0 1

Cultural constraints 1 1 1 1 2 2

Do not know what internet is 6 3 2 1 1 1

Not allowed 4 7 11 10 12 10

Others 2 3 3 3 4 4

All of the above 2 2 2 3 3 2

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: PSLM 2019-20

Note: the sum of distribution may not be exact 100 due to rounding of numbers

187 National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan | 2023

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