SOME alarming statistics need urgent focus and attention. Pakistan ranks among the lowest — 148th in the world — in gender equality according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2025. Only 23 per cent of women in Pakistan participate in the workforce, compared to 81pc of men. Pay inequality hovers around 18pc. Women hold less than 21pc seats in parliament. This list could go on, with each statistic more terrifying than the preceding ones. Over 13 million girls aged between five and 16 are out of school.

Statistics aside, there is much damage and debris to sweep up, after decades of ignoring women’s basic rights in Pakistan and men’s roles and responsibilities. Apathy grows out of haplessness — ignoring problems in the hope that they will go away. Problems don’t disappear magically. In fact, they grow exponentially to have ripple effects through every structure, every layer and every echelon of the social, economic, political and moral fabric of the country.

We have plenty of conversations; we know what is to be done. We have tracked the success of nations that have, since 1911, made collective efforts to take steps towards justice, dignity and moral and legal rights of women. Their efforts have not yielded perfect results but........

© Dawn