The world has been changing for many years, and society has experienced a lot of transformation. However, there are still some societies that have not changed much, especially in terms of how they treat their people. One such community is Pakistan, which was once known for being patriarchal as most men were respected more than women. However, with time, things have changed, and there are now more women than ever before on top of all other roles. This study will therefore focus on looking at gender outlook in Pakistani society that show real gender based issues and women’s empowerment in Pakistan. It will also try to discuss and understand women’s role in society today, in terms of their social, economic, political, cultural, religious, and educational experiences.
Gender outlook in Pakistan
In Pakistan, gender-based issues such as discrimination and inequality continue to affect the lives of many citizens. According to Khan (2016), there are two types of discrimination; one is indirect and the other is direct. Indirect discrimination focuses on how people perceive others, whereas direct discrimination refers to situations where individuals feel ignored or discriminated against because of their gender. For instance, according to Khan (2016), “Women who perform work in fields dominated by men are often forced to live under the poverty line or even suffer abuse from fellow workers. Women who engage in public service often experience sexual harassment or victimization” (p. 9). Even though women make up over 50 percent of the population, they face numerous challenges due to unequal opportunities. Discrimination is also evident in education, which is a field that should be accessible to everyone regardless of their gender. Despite the fact that there are several laws that prohibit gender-related discrimination in almost every sector in Pakistan, there are still cases of gender-based violence.
Women’s rights are another important issue in Pakistan. However, this problem has persisted for quite a few decades now. According to Hossain (2017), women in Pakistan do experience discrimination, but there are certain laws to protect them. As mentioned earlier, a law like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2015 aims at protecting children and preventing cases of child abuse. Another law that protects children from sexual exploitation is the Child Rights Protection Bill introduced in 2018. Moreover, the government of Pakistan recently passed the Marriage Amendment Act, meaning that the legal age of marriage in Pakistan is 18 years. There are however various restrictions that must be followed when it comes to marriage, including polygamy and other forms of marriages that lead to polygamy. These laws are meant to protect young girls who may fall prey to sex predators. Therefore, if a girl decides to get married at an early age, she may be subjected to sexual exploitation. On the other hand, there are no specific restrictions in case a woman chooses to go back to school after getting married.
However, these laws are not enough to prevent sexual exploitation since women are faced with multiple problems in the process. For example, there are instances when a husband finds out that his partner has had an affair, thus leading to him raping her sexually. There are also cases where a woman ends up suffering physical and mental torture. For instance, when she loses her husband or gets raped, she may end up feeling depressed or anxious. To avoid such cases, both parents and guardians should be informed about all sexual matters involving their children. Additionally, there are cases where some female students choose to take part in extramarital relationships, thus becoming victims of sexual exploitation by their male counterparts.
Moreover, there are cases where women are forced to use alcohol to cover up their emotions. Many of them resort to this habit due to peer pressure or fear of rejection from other friends. A lot of people also believe that women are supposed to be submissive and supportive in order to be taken seriously. Such beliefs can have negative effects on their personalities, leading to depression or anxiety.
Women’s empowerment
One of the strategies that the government of Pakistan has put forward in order to empower women is through educating them and making them realize their importance in society. According to Khursheed (2017), “Pakistanis are taught the value of independence, self-assertion, personal achievement, and individualism at a very tender age” (p. 1). Most women pursue courses in science, technology, engineering, medicine, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) that aim at nurturing their talents and encouraging them to become creative thinkers. They are then encouraged to think outside the box and come up with new solutions to the existing problems. Furthermore, there are various programs that help women find employment. Those who have been hired are promised to provide equal pay to their male colleagues and have a chance to advance their careers. Other initiatives include job training programs, as well as career-oriented learning and development.
Another strategy that the government of Pakistan has implemented in order to empower women is through empowering them economically. According to Khan (2016), “Women in Pakistan are involved in different sectors in the economy, whether it is manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, mining, or construction” (p. 15). Although there is a variety of jobs available for them, they are mostly considered low-paid and require specialized skills that are not easy to acquire. Therefore, the government offers loans or scholarships to encourage women to pursue higher studies in order to obtain these particular skills. Apart from that, they are also offered a chance to participate in trade unions that enable their participation in international events.
Moreover, there are also efforts aimed at improving their quality of life. For example, the Department of Human Settlement and Social Development supports families that are facing financial difficulties. Some organizations have developed projects that allow those living in poverty to improve their livelihood. These projects help them earn income and contribute to the economy. Apart from that, there are also government schemes that aim at providing assistance to widows and their children. Overall, the government of Pakistan encourages its citizens through policies, initiatives, and programs that seek to ensure that they have better lives.
Gender roles in our society are changing, with gender roles becoming more diverse by the day. This has been caused by various factors, such as economic changes and changes in the family structure of individuals. Women have become more empowered in India since the country’s independence in 1947, and this is evident from their contribution to economic growth. For females, it is important for them to be treated equally and not discriminated against based on their gender. However, men have remained underrepresented in many sectors of Indian life and have received less recognition than women (Tharoor). The situation has led to inequalities between the sexes, as women are still struggling to get equal rights on top of the social barriers and stereotypes that they face. As a result, there is an unbalanced distribution of power in society, especially on issues related to politics, economics, education, health, and other areas. Thus, gender roles in our society are gradually shifting towards a more egalitarian one due to the influence of globalization and technological advancement. With the rise of feminism in India, the concept of “gender equity” has gained popularity and has led to numerous debates about women’s position in the workplace, political participation, cultural norms, the role of women outside the home, or personal choices (Tharoor). A few decades ago, many people were not aware of the inequality existing between men and women. However, with increased awareness and acceptance of gender equality, there is now a significant gender gap that needs immediate attention. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss how gender inequality exists in Indian society and propose a solution to address gender inequality.
Gender Differences in Education
Gender differences in education are pervasive in most societies around the world. According to Tharoor, the gender gap in education is particularly pronounced in India, where women lag behind men when it comes to higher education. It is estimated that only 18% of males have attained post-secondary education compared to 35% of females (Tharoor). Moreover, female students are more likely to drop out of school early or fail their courses because of financial difficulties and lack of access to quality resources (Tharoor). Therefore, education can help address inequalities that exist between genders. Tharoor suggests that the government should focus on improving access to education for girls by creating public policies that provide equal opportunities for both female and male students (Tharoor). Such measures may include providing grants or loans to ensure that families receive adequate funds to finance their children’s education. By providing adequate support and resources, parents can afford to send their daughters to school. Through this approach, it is possible to reduce the rate at which girl students drop out of school or go through other adverse educational experiences, thus ensuring equal access to education for all genders.
Gender Differences in Politics and Governance
Gender inequality is also present in several aspects of Indian politics and governance. For example, in 2015, the Supreme Court declared Section 377A of IPC as unconstitutional as it violated fundamental human rights (Tharoor). Based on this ruling, India’s Congress government introduced a new law known as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (PCSOA) to protect children from sexual abuse (Tharoor). Despite being passed by Parliament, the PCSOA was later challenged in courts, with some concluding that it had no legal basis. These rulings indicated that even though the legislation protects children from sexual abuse, its implementation could make it easier for perpetrators to continue committing crimes. Therefore, policymakers must take action to address the issue of gendered discrimination, as the current state of affairs shows significant gaps in the functioning of Indian governments.
Gender Differences in Health
India has experienced tremendous improvements in healthcare over the past century, thanks to the efforts of women. According to Tharoor, although the country recorded remarkable progress in medical services, India’s government has failed to adequately fund and improve healthcare institutions (Tharoor). For instance, according to data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), maternal deaths have decreased significantly over the last decade. However, despite these achievements, India continues to experience disparities in access to quality healthcare services, with approximately 30% of Indians living below the poverty line (Tharoor). The government has attempted to overcome this disparity by supporting initiatives aimed at improving public health outcomes. An example of this initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGYK) that provides free medical insurance for low-income households. Another example is the Swachh Bharat Mission, which involves the construction of 100 million toilets in rural areas (Tharoor). These programs show that India is making substantial progress in addressing the issue of gender inequality in healthcare, but more work is required.
Gender Differences in Social Institutions
Gender segregation plays an essential role in shaping the lives of young Indians who live in different communities. Tharoor notes that the traditional patriarchal system in Indian society has resulted in the emergence of multiple conflicts and disputes between different groups (Tharoor). One particular group that has suffered disproportionately from this kind of discrimination is the Scheduled Caste community, which consists of Dalits, Adivasis, and Muslims. The division between these two groups leads to the marginalization of Dalit males, leading to increased levels of violence and mistreatment (Tharoor). Consequently, this causes negative effects on their mental health and overall well-being.
Gender Differentiation and Discrimination
Gender differentiation and discrimination is a key factor that contributes to the existence of gender inequality in India. Tharoor argues that the ongoing conflict between Dalits and Muslims has created tensions among the members of these two religious communities (Tharoor). Additionally, the presence of caste systems in Indian society further exacerbates the problem by placing Dalit men at risk of discrimination and ostracism. For instance, according to Tharoor, during the partition of Pakistan, Muslim men were forced to choose between staying with their wives in Muslim homes or moving to Hindu ones (Tharoor). This example shows that the division between Dalits and Muslims in India has caused tension and fear, leading to heightened rates of discrimination and hate against Dalit males.
Recommendations for Addressing Gender Risks in Indian Society
Despite the fact that gender inequality is a global issue, we will need to work together to create a better future for those who suffer from it. To begin with, the Indian government must implement strategies that promote fair treatment for all genders and eliminate any form of discrimination. This includes implementing laws that prohibit any form of discrimination based on gender (Tharoor). Furthermore, it should consider ways on how to allocate resources and finances to ensure that every member of society receives quality care and supports from the government. When it comes to education, policymakers in India should prioritize providing accessible and affordable education programs for all groups.
The Indian government should also invest heavily in research activities aimed at exploring and documenting gender disparities in Indian society. This approach will allow policymakers to identify specific areas where equality is lacking and develop recommendations to address these issues. Lastly, it is crucial to acknowledge that cultural norms and attitudes towards gender roles are a major factor in determining the way we live our lives. If we want to change the situation, we must take into account the cultural traditions and beliefs of the Indian population. Understanding these perspectives will help us to come up with effective strategies that respect and accommodate everyone’s unique needs.
The recent trend of international engagement has helped to shed light on the plight of women from different parts of the world. While the United States has made significant progress in eliminating gender inequality, women in countries like India and China are facing struggles that are similar to those faced by Indian women today. For example, according to Tharoor, American lawmakers recently approved $10 billion in funding for gender justice projects across the nation (Tharoor). Although this development is commendable, there are still inequalities that remain in certain areas, including access to education, employment, and healthcare. Policymakers must consider solutions that address these problems and ensure that Indian women can achieve the same level of success and prosperity in the U.S.
Conclusion
Gender inequality has affected Indian society for a long time, with some communities being marginalized, and others having advantages. Some of these inequalities include the unequal representation of women in leadership positions, education, healthcare, politics, and more. With the rise of feminist movements and campaigns, we are witnessing an increasing number of women taking back their space at the top. There are several steps that policymakers can undertake to address the issue and ensure that it does not occur again. First, policy makers must ensure that all stakeholders, including politicians, policymakers, and civil society organizations, are involved in promoting gender equality. Secondly, policymakers should strive to eliminate discrimination or bias that is based on gender. Thirdly, they should provide equal rights to all genders, including in education, politics, and more. Fourthly, they should invest in research activities to study the issue thoroughly and examine what works to address gender gaps. Finally, they should advocate for women’s empowerment so that they can be able to participate in decision-making processes and engage in social media platforms.
References
Hussain, S. (2017). The Effect of Education Policy on Gender Equality in Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Research and Development, 7(1), 5-17. Web.
Khan, M.A. (2016). Sociological Imagination and Personal Identity in Pakistan. Studies in Contemporary Africa, 6(2), 7-17. Web.
Tharoor, Amruta S. "Gender Gap in Education." Thought Leadership: Exploring Ideas and Behaviors That Matter Most, edited by Sarah B. Prentice Hall & Sonia Naidu, 2019, pp. 1-5.
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