Gender discrimination has cut across all the political and cultural boundaries around the world and the situation is at its turmoil in Pakistan. The news of domestic violence and husbands murdering wives has become a common norm. Marriage is not only the case where women suffer; the women are also found at the back foot in their domestic and professional life as well. Even though the time has changed greatly and nowadays women’s empowerment is at its peak but there is still a long way to go and a lot needs to be changed for the betterment of women and their basic rights in Pakistan. In this blog post, we have discussed some of the challenges and difficulties that women have to face due to established male-dominated society in Pakistan.

STATICS, REASONS AND CHALLENGES:

It has been observed that the problems for a female start to begin right after her birth. The birth of a baby boy is more appreciated and cherished than a baby girl. In villages, the general trend is that families prefer male children and if women are carrying girl so she is already looked upon as an embarrassment and a liability. At the time of her birth, most of her fate is decided; fathers tend to make quick decisions both about education and marriage. And when she is married off to another man, her husband gets all the rights to decide what she is allowed to do in her own life. There is no denying that for most women their marriages are arranged, often against their will. It’s not a happy sight after marriage for them either. Most husbands tend to be abusive and treat their wives poorly. A study showed that 90% of women in Pakistan face psychological abuse whereas 50% face physical abuse and it is indeed dreadful in all aspects.

RURAL WOMEN IN PAKISTAN:

In villages, education and women are looked at as two odd things together. Not to forget this condition is worst in the rural areas of the country as compared to urban areas. Most of the rural families do not believe in giving formal education to girls. The general stigma in society is that women are made for rearing children and doing house chores. Currently, our literacy rate is so low that only 13% of girls are enrolled in school and by the time they reach class ninth their families start looking for the Rishta and she gets married as soon as they got the right spouse for her daughter. The astounding statistic is that higher education is extremely scarce when it comes to women, only 3% of women aged 17-23 can get higher education. To society, an educated woman is seen as a threat more than a blessing. People consider educated women to be over their heads or too demanding. The society wants women who are willing to stay at home rather than be career-oriented.

It’s not just as simple for women who have earned degrees to just go out and earn for themselves. Society has made it hard for a woman to have a satisfactory work-life. Most of the time men are preferred for job roles instead of women; this trend is visible in many companies. And even if women are hired for the job, they get a lesser pay than they would if the job was given to a male. Women are rather not taken seriously when it comes to work because of the prejudice that they will be married off soon before they spend years in the job.

OUR VERDICT:

Our society is so tied to the old beliefs that it is not willing to give women the right to live life as they desire. Awareness for these matters has spread and women empowerment is a legit thing now, but it is still in its early stages. Women deserve a right to live a prosperous life as much as men do. All men and women are created equal, after all.  

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