Pakistani women have long been architects of progress, their strength has shaped the nation’s course at every turn. Fatima Jinnah’s defiance against dictatorship and Benazir Bhutto’s groundbreaking rise as the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation, Hina Jallani’s fight against women’s right, and so many more, stand as examples of Pakistani women’s indomitable spirit. Yet, even as these legacies shine, the path remains uneven – women continue to grapple with systemic barriers to represent-ation, economic autonomy, and personal security.
Despite progress, Pakistan ranks among the lowest in global gender equality indices. Women make up nearly half of our population, yet their representation in decision-making roles, the economy, and even personal freedoms remains limited:
- Political Representation: While reserved seats exist, women remain underrepresented in policymaking and governance. Women politicians often face harassment, intimidation, and systemic barriers.
- Economic Disparity: Women contribute significantly to the workforce, particularly in agriculture and informal sectors, yet they earn less than men for the same work and often lack financial independence.
- Gender-Based Violence: From honour killings to domestic abuse, women in Pakistan still face serious threats to their safety and dignity. One in three women experiences violence, and legal protections often fail to ensure justice
8th of March is a day of reflection, resistance, and commitment to a world where women’s rights are truly recognized as human rights.
Celebrating Our Mothers, Daughters & Sisters
Every year, International Women’s Day faces backlash. Women marching for basic rights are called “Western agents” or “immoral.” Feminism is labeled “radical.” But what is truly radical is a world where women are killed for seeking education, raped with impunity, and silenced for demanding equality.
Women from marginalized communities face compounded discrimination, making the struggle for gender equality more complex. Sociologists emphasize intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, to analyze overlapping of gender discrimination and oppression intersects with race, class, and other social identities.
Pakistani women deserve a future of dignity, opportunity, and freedom. In this issue, Margalla Tribune (MT) has exclusive talks with women who have broken the glass ceiling and proved their mettle as women of power, resilience, and transformative vision.
Their stories are not just tales of personal triumph but testimonies of a collective movement—one that demands equity, justice, and a world where no woman’s potential is constrained by her gender. They remind us that progress is not gifted; it is fought for, earned, and defended. Their voices carry the weight of generations past and the promise of those yet to come.
