Pakistan ranked fourth among worst countries for women

Published
65

Pakistan is the fourth worst country for women according to recently released rankings of the Women, Peace and Security Index.

Of the 153 countries ranked for women's inclusion, justice and security, Pakistan was ranked at number 150, with the highest discrimination against women in the world and the lowest financial inclusion.

Women's average years of schooling in the country stands at only five years, while only 33 per cent of Pakistani women have been found to use cellphones. Only 24pc of Pakistani women are employed, while their share of seats in parliament stands at only 20pc.

The report, published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in partnership with the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, claims that 1.09 males are born for every female born in Pakistan, which is higher than the 1.05 natural demographic rate, meaning that Pakistanis have a son bias.

It also identifies around 500,000 "missing girls" in Pakistan between 2010-15, which indicates that half a million more female children should have been born in the country during the period were it not for the son-bias.

It also states that 73pc of Pakistani men do not find it perfectly acceptable for women in their family to work outside their homes.

Read: The Pakistani woman: Where does she stand and where is she going?

It only gets worse: about 27pc of Pakistani women have faced violence from their intimate partners, while only 51pc of women feel safe working alone at night in the city or the area that they live in.

According to the index, only Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen are worse for women.

Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have been deemed the best countries for women's inclusion, justice and security.

Meanwhile India has been ranked 131st on the index. while United States ranks 22nd and United Kingdom at number 12.

Opinion

Editorial

Antalya agenda
Updated 09 Nov, 2026

Antalya agenda

For Pakistan, the priority should be to secure easier access to climate funds, more grants rather than debt-creating loans, and clear deadlines for financial contributions.
Beyond viewership
09 Nov, 2026

Beyond viewership

PAKISTAN has an enormous appetite for online content. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, it...
Rabid Modi
Updated 09 Nov, 2026

Rabid Modi

Modi’s silence throughout his reign of fear shows his endorsement of hate.
Trump’s choice
Updated 08 Nov, 2026

Trump’s choice

In order to prevent a new military and economic crisis, the US leadership must prioritise diplomacy over war.
Bilawal’s advice
08 Nov, 2026

Bilawal’s advice

PPP CHAIRPERSON Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has given sound advice to the government to stop “fighting everyone”. And...
Cashless ambition
08 Nov, 2026

Cashless ambition

THE prime minister’s call for a time-bound roadmap to make all payments digital has given the government’s...