ISLAMABAD: The Senate has unanimously passed a landmark resolution calling for urgent and accelerated measures to close Pakistan’s widening gender gap.

The resolution was presented by Senator Sherry Rehman on International Women’s Day.

Senator Rehman said despite women comprising nearly 49.2 per cent of Pakistan’s population, only 22.7 per cent participated in the mainstream workforce while millions remained invisible in economic policies, working for no wages or half wages.

“From around 72 per cent of women carrying household water, especially in rural areas, to women running the vast undocumented economy of care, their contributions remain unrecognised, even as they form the backbone of our society,” she stated.

Senator Sherry Rehman rings alarms over the rise in gender-based violence cases across the country

In a statement, she underscored the alarming rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases, citing a report by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.

“In 2023, 48,395 new GBV cases were registered, adding to an initial backlog of 21,891 cases. By year-end, only 30,631 cases were resolved, leaving an outstanding backlog of 39,655 cases — an 81 per cent increase in pending cases,” she said. In Punjab, GBV case pendency more than doubled, reflecting a severe failure in the justice system, she added.

“Every two minutes, a mother dies while giving birth. In every third household, a woman faces physical violence. This is the one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that is backsliding, not just in Pakistan, but everywhere,” she warned.

Senator Rehman called for urgent action against gender-based violence, pointing out that existing laws remain largely unenforced while access to justice remained out of reach for most survivors.

“Violence behind closed doors is rising across Pakistan and across all classes, including the so-called educated classes. Patriarchal attitudes persist across the social divide, reinforcing women’s status as secondary at best and chattel at worst.”

She also criticised elite institutions, such as Sindh and Punjab clubs, for denying women full membership and voting rights, calling it a violation of constitutional rights.

“Violence against women will naturally rise when there is an elite consensus that treats women as second-class citizens. What is worse is that people continue to seek membership in such institutions while paying lip service to women’s rights.”

Senator Rehman further condemned the failure to pass legislation banning child marriage, despite committee-level approval of a bill to raise the legal marriage age to 18.

“This bill died in the National Assembly, like so many other attempts to give women their basic rights. Why do we continue to deny young girls the right to a future?”

While the Senate resolution called for immediate government action to strengthen financial inclusion for women by expanding access to credit, business resources and entrepreneurship opportunities, Senator Rehman pointed out that women remain far behind in economic participation.

The resolution also called for stronger legal protections for women and girls, ensuring swift prosecution of crimes against women, including political victimisation.

It urged the implementation of workplace protections against harassment and measures to ensure fair wages and career advancement opportunities. Women’s leadership, education, and political participation still lag far behind their needs, she added.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2025