The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 paints a bleak picture of Pakistan’s progress on gender equality. Ranked 148 out of 149 countries, with a parity score dipping to 56.7%, Pakistan has once again found itself at the bottom of global rankings. This alarming regression demands introspection, accountability, and above all, action from both policymakers and society at large.
The most disturbing aspect of this year’s report is the consistent downward trajectory across key indicators — economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment. Women make up just 25% of the formal labor force, ranking Pakistan 147th in economic participation and opportunity. This is a direct consequence of deeply rooted patriarchal structures, societal norms, and a lack of enabling environments that keep women out of meaningful economic activity.
Education, the most critical catalyst for change, offers a mixed picture. While there has been a slight improvement in educational parity — rising by 1.5% — this gain is partially due to a drop in male enrolment in tertiary education rather than a significant improvement in female access. In health and survival, Pakistan is ranked 131st, while political empowerment stands at 118, revealing the gaps in representation and decision-making power for women.
The numbers are not just statistics — they reflect the lived reality of millions of Pakistani women who navigate a system stacked against them. The fact that rape occurs every two minutes and the conviction rate is only 3% shows the utter failure of our criminal justice system. In Punjab alone, only 924 convictions have been made out of over 60,000 registered cases, with thousands acquitted due to police negligence. This points to a culture of impunity, institutional apathy, and a broken legal framework.
While the Punjab Chief Minister has pledged to safeguard women’s rights, such statements are meaningless without structural reforms, accountability mechanisms, and dedicated resources. The tepid responses from women leaders in politics have only reinforced regressive power dynamics instead of challenging them.
It is also important to critically assess the methodology of the Global Gender Gap Report. Pakistan’s position below countries like Sudan and Yemen — which are embroiled in conflict and have widespread displacement — raises questions about data collection and representation. Still, this should not distract us from the painful truth: we are failing our women.
Pakistan needs a gender-inclusive policy framework, institutional reforms, and societal transformation. Until gender parity becomes a non-negotiable priority, our national progress will remain hollow and incomplete.
