Let the Daughters Rise

Pakistan is ranked as the second-worst country in the world for women to live in. This shows how deep-rooted and serious the challenges faced by women here are. The dominance of patriarchy and widespread misogynistic beliefs across society remain major obstacles to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Sadly, official statistics reveal that one rape occurs every two hours in Pakistan. Sexual violence is widespread, and the weak judicial system—with very low conviction rates—allows many perpetrators to commit such crimes without fear of punishment. But violence against women isn’t limited to rape. Domestic violence, verbal abuse, harassment, bullying, and acid attacks are also common.

These acts have become so normalized that society often accepts them without question. Religious political parties and conservative groups further reinforce these patriarchal ideas. Many religious clerics promote views that restrict women’s rights, often misrepresenting religion to support their biases. Disturbingly, these same harmful beliefs are also accepted and passed down by women in families. I’ve personally seen both mothers and fathers deny their daughters the right to pursue education or choose their life partners.

Many girls I’ve spoken to say they face strong opposition from their families whenever they talk about women’s rights in Islam. They’re often told that traditions matter more than religious teachings. This shows a deeper issue: in Pakistan, cultural norms often take priority over the true teachings of Islam, which actually emphasize dignity, kindness, and equality for women.

But all hope is not lost. Civil society organizations, human rights institutions, and women’s rights groups are actively working to raise awareness about these injustices. Women’s rights protests are becoming more common in major cities, and more young people are now questioning the deeply rooted patriarchy.

Still, the challenges are huge. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, Pakistan ranks 142 out of 146 countries. The country shows major gaps in women’s economic participation, political representation, and health. While women’s presence in parliament and leadership roles is growing, deep-rooted misogyny still holds back real progress.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 70% of women have experienced some form of violence at home. Pakistan also has one of the lowest female labor force participation rates—only 21%, compared to the global average of 47%. This economic exclusion increases women’s dependence and vulnerability.

Education is another major issue. Only 46% of women in Pakistan are literate, compared to 70% of men. In rural areas, the situation is worse. Many girls are denied education due to social and cultural pressures. Religion is often wrongly used to justify this, even though Islam promotes women’s rights and dignity. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clearly said, “The best among you are those who treat their wives well” (Tirmidhi).

Unfortunately, cultural traditions have often overshadowed such teachings in Pakistan. This has pushed women out of both public and private spaces. But despite this, change is happening. From the legacy of Benazir Bhutto to the courage of Malala Yousafzai, many Pakistani women are stepping forward to break barriers and demand equality. Women are now entering fields like science, technology, engineering, and business, proving wrong the outdated ideas about gender roles.

To support this progress, the government must adopt gender-sensitive policies and strengthen laws to protect women from violence and harassment. Health and education services for women must also be improved.

No country can move forward without empowering its women.

Women’s empowerment is essential for Pakistan’s future. Only when women are given respect, safety, and equal opportunities will the country reach its full potential. The fight for gender equality continues—but with the determination of activists, civil society, and the youth, we can imagine a future where women live free from fear and contribute equally to Pakistan’s growth.