Women in Pakistan, comprising nearly half of the 240 million population, are increasingly vital to the nation’s workforce, contributing to economic growth and social progress. Despite cultural and systemic barriers, their participation has grown across sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, and technology. However, challenges such as low participation rates, wage gaps, and workplace discrimination persist. This article examines the evolving role of women in Pakistan’s workforce, highlighting achievements, obstacles, and opportunities for greater inclusion.
Current Landscape of Women in the Workforce
Women make up 22.6% of Pakistan’s labor force, totaling about 15 million workers, according to 2024 data. The majority (67%) work in agriculture, followed by services (20%) and industry (13%). Urban female participation is higher at 28%, compared to 20% in rural areas. Key sectors include textiles, education (50% of teachers), healthcare (70% of nurses), and emerging fields like IT, where women constitute 14% of professionals. Despite progress, Pakistan ranks 142 out of 146 in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index for economic participation, reflecting significant gaps.
Achievements and Contributions
1. Agricultural Backbone
Women perform 50% of agricultural labor, particularly in planting, harvesting, and livestock management. In Punjab and Sindh, they contribute to 70% of cotton and rice production, supporting exports worth $5 billion annually. Their role ensures food security for 40% of households, with female-led farms producing 10% higher yields in some regions due to meticulous practices.
2. Education and Healthcare Leadership
Women dominate teaching and nursing, with 1.2 million female educators shaping 20 million students yearly. In healthcare, 105,000 nurses and 30,000 female doctors deliver care to 100 million patients annually. Programs like the Lady Health Worker initiative employ 100,000 women, reducing maternal mortality by 15% in covered areas since 2010.
3. Entrepreneurship and Tech
Female entrepreneurs lead 10% of Pakistan’s 2,000 startups, with successes like SheKab, a women-only ride-hailing service. In tech, 25,000 women freelancers earn $100 million yearly on platforms like Upwork. Initiatives like WomenInTechPK have trained 10,000 women in coding, boosting IT exports by 5%.
4. Craft and Informal Economy
Over 2 million women artisans produce textiles and handicrafts, generating $300 million in exports, including ajrak and embroidery. In the informal sector, 8 million women work as domestic helpers or small-scale vendors, contributing 15% to household incomes in urban slums.
5. Policy-Driven Inclusion
Government programs like Ehsaas and Benazir Income Support have empowered 7 million women with cash transfers and skills training, increasing workforce entry by 10% since 2015. The 2023 Women Empowerment Policy reserves 10% of public jobs for women, adding 50,000 positions.
Challenges Facing Women
1. Low Participation Rates
Pakistan’s female labor force participation rate (22.6%) lags behind India (32%) and Bangladesh (36%). Cultural norms, early marriages (50% of girls by 18), and childcare responsibilities restrict 30 million women from working. Only 5% of women in Balochistan participate, compared to 35% in urban Punjab.
2. Wage and Opportunity Gaps
Women earn 34% less than men on average, with rural agricultural workers earning $1.5 daily versus $2.5 for men. Only 3% of corporate leadership roles are held by women, and 80% of female workers are in low-skill jobs, limiting upward mobility.
3. Workplace Harassment and Safety
Harassment affects 50% of female workers, with 90% of cases unreported due to stigma. The 2010 Protection Against Harassment Act is poorly enforced, with only 500 convictions since inception. Unsafe transport and long commutes deter 20% of urban women from jobs.
4. Education and Skill Deficits
While female literacy has risen to 48%, only 10% of women have vocational training, compared to 25% of men. STEM fields see 15% female enrollment, limiting access to high-growth sectors. Rural girls attend school for 3.5 years on average, half the national average.
5. Legal and Structural Barriers
Inheritance laws grant women half the share of men, reducing asset ownership (2% of land titles). Lack of maternity leave in 60% of private firms and childcare facilities (available at 5% of workplaces) forces 1 million women to exit the workforce post-childbirth.
Socioeconomic Impact
Women’s contributions add $30 billion to GDP, with potential to reach $100 billion if participation rises to 40%. Their income supports 25 million households, reducing poverty by 10%. Educated working women invest 90% of earnings in family welfare, boosting child nutrition by 15%. However, exclusion costs the economy $20 billion annually, and unpaid domestic work, valued at $10 billion, burdens 40 million women.
Opportunities for Empowerment
1. Education and Training
Scaling programs like NAVTTC could train 1 million women in digital and vocational skills by 2030, targeting tech and textiles. Public-private partnerships, like those with Microsoft, can boost female STEM enrollment to 30%.
2. Policy Reforms
Enforcing equal pay and expanding maternity benefits to 100% of firms could retain 500,000 workers. Quotas for women in corporate boards (targeting 20%) and public jobs (15%) would enhance leadership representation.
3. Safe Work Environments
Strengthening harassment laws and creating women-only transport could increase urban participation by 10%. Workplace childcare, piloted in Lahore, could scale to 1,000 facilities, supporting 200,000 mothers.
4. Entrepreneurship Support
A $200 million fund for female-led startups and microfinance for 5 million women could double craft exports to $600 million. Incubators like Plan9 have empowered 1,000 women entrepreneurs, a model expandable nationwide.
5. Digital Inclusion
With 30 million women online, e-commerce training could connect 500,000 to global markets. Apps like SheWorks, linking women to remote jobs, could employ 100,000 by 2028.
Policy Recommendations
- Boost Education Access: Subsidize schooling for 5 million rural girls and fund 1,000 vocational centers by 2030.
- Close Wage Gaps: Mandate pay audits in 50% of firms and penalize non-compliance, targeting a 20% gap reduction.
- Enhance Safety: Deploy 1,000 women-only buses and enforce harassment laws with 5,000 annual inspections.
- Support Entrepreneurship: Offer tax breaks to 10,000 female-led businesses and expand microfinance to 10 million women.
- Promote Leadership: Reserve 20% of public and private board seats for women by 2030.
- Leverage Technology: Train 2 million women in digital skills and subsidize internet for 10 million rural households.
Women in Pakistan’s workforce are driving progress in agriculture, education, and technology, contributing significantly to economic and social development. Yet, low participation, wage disparities, and cultural barriers limit their potential. By investing in education, enforcing equitable policies, and fostering safe, inclusive workplaces, Pakistan can unlock the full capacity of its women, boosting GDP and reducing poverty. Empowering women is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for a prosperous future.
