When it comes to gender bias, Pakistan is often compared with other first world countries. This is usually due to the country’s high levels of gender inequality and violence against women and transpeople.
In Pakistan, women make up only 22% of the workforce, and the majority of women who do work are employed in low-paying jobs. Women are also underrepresented in politics, accounting for only 20% of parliamentarians. In addition,Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of female literacy in the world, at just over 50%.
Among many factors fueling this inequality, Pakistani/South Asian culture plays a significant role, as women are viewed as commodities, without equal opportunities and at risk of exploitation. Patriarchy is deeply entrenched in our society and people are caught in a toxic cycle of constant, misogynistic, outright , subconscious and subtle discrimation against the “weaker” sexes which often takes the form of harrasment at different levels and other acts of violence against women and transpeople.
In workplaces the topic of gender bias is often discussed but rarely tackled effectively. The responsibility to make sure the workplace is safe for all employees lies with the employers and incompetency in providing that at any level results in a profoundly negative effect on the individual’s productivity, mental health and career. There are a few steps that can be taken to tackle gender bias in the workplace. First, employers can create policies that prohibit discrimination based on gender. They can also provide training on gender bias to their employees. Finally, they can create a workplace culture that is inclusive of all genders.
Despite the impediments, it is important to remember that Pakistan is a developing country with many unique challenges. While there is still much progress to be made, the country has made strides in recent years to improve the situation for women and other sexes.
For example, the Pakistani government has launched a number of initiatives to increase women’s participation in the workforce and to improve their access to education and health care. A certain quota system has also been employed to encourage the introduction of Trans people in the education system and workforce. Several laws have been passed to protect women and Trans people from violence and discrimination. There is also a growing movement of Pakistani women and Trans people speaking out against discrimination and demanding equal rights. Slowly but surely, progress is being made. While Pakistan still has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality, it is important to recognize the progress that has been made.
