Gender equality is the essential need to provide equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender. Besides being a fundamental human right, it is essential to achieve peaceful societies by encouraging full human potential and sustainable development. Gaining equal value in society, from the home to the workplace, and having equal representation and protection of women all are components necessary for gender equality.
Currently, there is a greater need to address the importance of gender equality in Pakistan as a survey released by the World Economic Forum ranked Pakistan as the second worst country in the world in terms of gender parity. Within education, health and all other public sectors, women are pushed from participation and policy making. Laraib Ajmal, a student from the Faculty of Media and Mass Communication at the University of Central Punjab, said it is difficult for women to make it to the same platform as men without facing significant hurdles:
“Being a woman in Pakistan is way more difficult as compared to other countries, as we have less opportunities and even, we are not provided with equal rights as compared to men in our society.”
Gender equality is a human fight, not a female fight. It is the need of the hour that we, as a nation, raise awareness regarding gender equality and work towards the elimination of harmful cultural practices, such as child marriages. Currently, UNICEF reports that there are 19 million child brides in Pakistan and estimated that around 4.6 million girls are married before the age of 15. However, Maheen Rizwan, a student of FSc, from Punjab Group of Colleges, stated that in a country like Pakistan, it is difficult for women to raise awareness about their rights.
“Whenever any woman demands her rights, she is criticised for being a ‘feminist’,” she explained.
Gender equality is not only beneficial to women but it is also helpful for men, families and communities for the development and wellbeing of our country. The pursuit of happiness can become a reality for everyone if we as a nation eradicate our egos standing in the way of gender race. Former US President Barack Obama in a speech emphasised on how gender equality is a way to improve democracies and achieve better standards of living.
“Every day I read the newspaper and just think, like, ‘Brothers, what’s wrong with you guys? What’s wrong with us?’ We’re violent, we’re bullying. Just not handling our business. I think empowering more women on the continent is going to lead to some better policies.”
Gender equality is a noble cause and activists and world leaders alike, are working towards changing the perception of people towards it.
As Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said:
“No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live.”
