United Nations Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, in 2015. It was a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
The SDGs – 17 in number- are integrated, i.e., they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
One of the 17 SDGs is SDG 5 with the goal to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.
The targets set forth under SDG 5 are as follows:
5.1 End discrimination against women and girls.
5.2 End all violence against and exploitation of women and girls.
5.3 Eliminate forced marriages and genital mutilation.
5.4 Value unpaid care and promote shared domestic responsibilities.
5.5 Ensure full participation in leadership and decision-making.
5.6 Universal access to reproductive health and rights.
5.A Equal rights to economic resources, property ownership and financial services.
5.B Promote empowerment of women through technology.
5.C Adopt and strengthen policies and enforceable legislation for gender equality.
Pakistan’s Comitment To SDGs
In February 2016, as a demonstration of political commitment and ownership, Pakistan integrated the SDGs into its national development agenda and by doing so, Pakistan became the first such country to do so.
While it is impressive to see Pakistan adopted the SDGs instantaneously, the statistics regarding women’s socio-economic status are not very encouraging. While women make up 48.8 percent of the total population of Pakistan, the female literacy rate stands at 49 percent which is much lower than the male literacy rate of 70 percent. An estimated 60 million women are of working age, only 20 percent participate in ‘paid’ labour in their country through the challenge is to retain them in the labour market due to competing family priorities, inflexible workplace policies and the structural gendered workplace barriers. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that, by addressing the gender parity, Pakistan stands to gain USD 91.5 billion per year.
SDG 5 & PRIORITIES AND TARGETS SET BY THE GOVERNMENT
Pakistan’s key priorities related to SDG 5 include:
• effectively monitoring progress on the implementation of gender-responsive policy frameworks;
• creating structures to further support women in the labour market;
• establishing systems and structures to scientifically develop, implement, monitor and evaluate
behavioral change communication interventions to promote gender parity at all levels;
• encouraging women entrepreneurs; and
• strengthening structures to combat violence against women.
PLANNED INITIATIVES TO ACHIEVE TARGETS
The 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023) aims to improve female labor force participation from 14.50% to 24.50 %. In this regard, legislative measures have been introduced for providing women with equal opportunity and for their workplace safety.
The approval and institutionalization of the Gender Equality & Women Empowerment Policy (2019-2023) to create a conducive environment for women in society and the workplace, strive towards gender inclusivity in the labor force, support girls’ education, and facilitate equitable economic opportunities for women. Structures will be created to support women in the labor market, including Women’s Economic Empowerment.
To encourage women entrepreneurs, ICT, and skills development workshops will be undertaken, while interest-free microfinance loans will be provided to enable women to start their own businesses. Structures will also be established to combat violence against women, most notably Shelter Homes for Women in Distress.
PROGRESS, STATUS AND TRENDS:
Women’s labor force participation is gradually increasing in Pakistan. There is also an increase in the number of young women, between the ages of 15-24 years of age, in higher education and entering professional categories in the workforce.
The proportion of women working in managerial positions has marginally increased from 0.3 percent in 2012-13, to 0.5 percent in 2018. Women are highly represented in certain sectors, e.g., women represent over 70 percent of Pakistan’s health workforce.
Progressive legislation has been passed and workplace policies introduced to encourage more women to enter the labor market.
With the establishment of provincial and national Commissions on the Status of Women, serious attempts to mainstream gender equality have been introduced by the Government.
Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, there have been key societal wins – women today serve as pilots in the Pakistan Air force, generals in the Armed Forces, occupy key political and bureaucratic positions, win Academy Awards (Oscars) and represent Pakistan at international sports events and conferences.
With greater sensitization regarding the application of a gender lens, efforts are underway to increase women’s representation in local governments from the current level of 16.1 percent and improve girls’ school enrolment.
Women’s participation as voters has improved, with a 13 percent increase in the total number of women registered voters between 2013 and 2017. Women’s access to justice has also experienced improvements.
The Maternity Benefits Act has been amended at the national and provincial levels.
In addition to the provincial Domestic Violence Protection and Prevention Act and Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Acts, have also been passed.
Child Marriage Act establishes a minimum age for marriage to curb the practice of early or child marriages.
A Gender Management Information System was launched in Punjab, while Sindh developed a Gender Reforms Action Plan (GRAP). Funds were allocated by both provinces for the establishment of daycare centers at workplaces.
To address gender inequalities in policy design, program planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, training is organized for public sector officials on gender-responsive budgeting.
