THE World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked Pakistan right at the bottom of Gender Gap Index 2025, with the country having been placed at the 148th position on a list that has 148 countries. This paints a rather grim picture of women`s rights in Pakistan.

The GenderGapIndexisbased on various indicators, such as employment, literacy, education, health services and women`s participation in decision-making.

Unfortunately, Pakistan performs poorly across all these areas. Only 23 per cent of women are employed, and, among them, 76pc work unpaid in the agriculture sector.

It is obvious that gender equality is a distant dream in such a scenario.

Recently, in Bannu, a park designated for the local women was shut down by local clergy. The video of the incident circulated widely across social media paltforms, but the state apparatus remained silent.

How can the state allow such groups to block access to spaces essential for women`s physical and mental health? In a country where women make up 49 pcof the national population, 21pc of them are married off before the age of 18. Who will advocate for a law to protect girls against child marriage in the country? Unfortunately, no one.

There are many cases where the murder of women is accepted by certain segments of society, and such acts often tend to go unchallenged. Who should be held accountable for the state`s indifference towards women`s rights? Pakistan needs mass-level education and awareness to challenge the tribal and patriarchal mindset. Media and religious leaders must come forward to lead awareness campaigns promoting women`s rights.

The government should step way out of its comfort zone and do a lot more to recognise women as equal human beings.

Babar Hussain Watto Okara