Gender Equality: The Key to Development.

Gender Equality: The Key to Development

Giving equal rights to all gender, including the third gender, is what meant by gender equality. According to the Global Gender Gap Index, our country has the second-lowest level of gender equality in the whole world. The primary objective of our country is to promote gender equality by the year of 2025, but there is still a lot that needs to be done for women and girls all around the country.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) believes that gender equality will be realized when men and women have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination. It means having equal rights and distribution in all areas, such as the financial department, educational institutions, and the Health Department, as well as achieving their personal goals and ambitions. For gender equality there should be proper legislation as well as proper implementation of laws that may enable the government to grant the rights to gender and demonstrate equality between all genders. Gender equality requires equal rights in society, as well as policies that address women's interests, wants, and rights.

The UNFPA promotes rules and regulations against those who violate or discriminate against women, and establishes the major and most significant department to keep the gender issues at the forefront of their everyday tasks. It also campaigns against harmful activities like cultural practices, child marriage, and a variety of other acts that undermine societal values. Gender equality benefits men and women, boys and girls, families, communities, and countries. Gender equality can strengthen Pakistan, and we must ensure that they have equal rights.

Women Rights in the Constitution of Pakistan:

Every State's Constitution is known as the Supreme or Prime document. The Constitution describes the policies which set the laws and regulations to govern any country. Similarly, the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to women and men without discrimination, but its implementation is hampered by patriarchal customs.

Pakistan ranks as the sixth most dangerous country for women, solely because of its patriarchal norms. Women in Pakistan are not given much preference and in every department, there is a male in charge, and women lag far behind in health and education since many other sectors are handled by the men. Following the Aurat March, every woman is fighting for her rights and doing everything she can to get involved in emerging sectors. According to the World Economic Forum, progress has been made in Pakistan regarding women's rights.

In my opinion, it is fortunate for the women that our government is also taking significant steps to help the women to contribute in public sector departments. Another positive development is that the Pakistani Government has enacted a new anti-rape law, which will reduce the sexual crimes. It is encouraging to see Pakistani women fighting for their rights and demanding equality with men.

By: Aneel Meghani,

Sindh Mehran Institute of Law, Jamshoro