Simone de Beauvoir, the author of The Second Sex, once wrote, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” In this powerful statement, she critiques tradition and social norms as barriers to women’s rights. This quote resonates deeply with the struggles of Pakistani women, a reality that demands acknowledgment. The challenges faced by many Pakistani women today mirror those encountered by women in developed (OECD) countries during the mid-19th century. While women in the developed world have made significant strides in overcoming these obstacles, albeit incompletely, Pakistani women continue to grapple with deeply entrenched issues. While an entire book could be written about the adversities faced by women in Pakistan’s restrictive environment, the essence of their struggles can also be captured in a few paragraphs. This article focuses primarily on the underprivileged majority, particularly those in rural areas, rather than the privileged class. Among the key challenges are cultural barriers, unequal opportunities compared to men, safety and security concerns in the job market, lack of awareness about sanitation and hygiene, and the........

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