LAHORE: On the International Women’s Day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) commends the resilience of working women despite facing misogynistic attitudes and unprecedented economic instability.

An HRCP statement says it is gravely concerning that Pakistan continues to lag behind global economies in addressing chronic gender disparities.

According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2023, Pakistan ranks 143rd among 146 countries for women’s economic participation and opportunity, it adds.

The commission quotes the Pakistan Labour Force Survey (2020-21) that shows women account for only 23.5 per cent of the total labour force in the country despite constituting 49.4 per cent of the working-age population.

Moreover, women, particularly Christian and Hindu, are continuously denied their rightful shre in inheritance due to a lack of implementation of laws guaranteeing their rights.

The HRCP calls for more inclusive measures to ensure women’s right to vote and contest elections so they could have true political representation.

It demands actionable steps by the state to provide more economic opportunities to women, protecting their right to work in a dignified environment free of harassment and with equal pay. The working women are the backbone of global economic development; their inclusion in Pakistan’s workforce must be encouraged regardless of whether they are married or unmarried, the commission adds.

HRCP asks the state to pay heed to the rights of incarcerated women, many of whom languish in jails under unhygienic conditions, having little access to healthcare and limited economic resources to have legal representation.

It demanded the state must do more to uphold the women’s rights, including their right to due process under the law, especially in cases of under-trial prisoners who have yet to be produced before courts.

The commission reiterates that the demands of Baloch women seeking return of their disappeared loved ones must be met as well.

Pakistan’s international obligations and commitment to meet the Sustainable Development Goals mandates gender equality be upheld in every sphere of life, it adds.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2024