KARACHI: Women constitute 48.51 per cent of Pakistan’s population, yet their journey toward equal opportunity continues to face significant structural challenges. These findings, based on data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, highlight both resilience and disparity: women are increasingly visible across education, the workforce, and digital spaces, but critical gaps remain.
According to a report released by Pulse Consultant on International Women’s Day, female literacy has climbed to 52.84 per cent, a sign of progress, but nearly 39 per cent of girls remain out of school, a dual reality reflecting both ambition and exclusion — millions of women are gaining access to learning, yet systemic barriers continue to deny others the foundation of empowerment. “The numbers show aspiration, but also the urgency of reform,” one education expert observed.
With 57 per cent of women using the internet, as per Pulse Consultant’s data, Pakistan’s female population is shaping conversations, businesses, and communities online. Yet only 31 per cent own mobile phones, limiting their ability to fully participate in the digital economy. Observers argue that affordability, cultural norms, and infrastructure gaps are keeping women from harnessing the full potential of technology.
At the front of economic participation, women’s labor force stands at 26.3 per cent, but most are confined to the informal sector, where protections are scarce. Unemployment among women is 10.08 per cent, and the wage gap remains above 25 per cent. Even in the gig economy, only 2.5 per cent are main workers, while 15 per cent contribute as subsidiary workers. Experts warn that without structural reforms, women’s economic contributions will remain undervalued and insecure.
Speaking about the social realities, the report says that beyond work and education, the statistics on marital status and health reveal broader social challenges. Nearly 69 per cent of women are married, the fertility rate stands at 3.6, and 9.37 per cent live with functional limitations.
