1. Introduction and Contention
Gender equality has always been an issue of topmost concern for the civilized societies and for the advocates and custodians of human rights all over the world. Despite the presence of many international organizations with the objectives of gender equality and protection of women, the idea of gender equality is still a far cry.

2. Some important statistics
a) Only 74pc of young girls between ages 11 and 15 are in school globally. (2012 Report: “Because I am a Girl”)
b) Rwanda is the only country with 50pc women in its legislature. (2013 Report: Women in National Parliaments)
c) About 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequence of FGM (Female Genital Mutation), because everyday around 8000 girls go through it. (2013 WHO Report)
d) Till July 2013, around 451 women were killed in the name of honor in Pakistan.
e) In first six months of 2012, around 4,585 cases of violence against women were reported in Pakistan.
f) In Pakistan, 60pc of cases of violence against women are reported and of those, only 40pc are registered with police.
g) According to media monitoring report by HRCP, from January till July 2013, 44 women became victim of acid attack, seven of whom died due injuries.
h) A few days back, a five-year-old girl was raped in Lahore.

3. Gender equality and Pakistan’s history
a) Hudood Ordinance 1979 – highly controversial and discriminatory law against women
b) Qanoon-e-Shahadat Order or Law of Evidence1979
c) Sharia Law 2009 – Introduced by President Zardari for the Northern areas under Taliban rule

4. Causes of gap in gender equality
a) Woman is naturally weak – biological perspective
b) Society’s suppression
c) Illiteracy – being major hurdle in the way of gender equality
d) Lack of strict legislation for women protection
e) Economic disparity
f) Gender stereotypes
g) Unwillingness of governments

5. Effects of gender equality gap
a) High women’s persecution rate
b) Overall social imbalance
c) Economic backwardness
d) High female mortality rate
e) High infant mortality rate
f) Psychological imbalance among women

6. Reducing gender equality gap
a) Development of common agenda – at international forum such as the UN
b) Properly pursuing 3rd MDG (millennium development goal for women development)
c) Required legislation – by countries with wider gender equality gap
d) Promotion of girls’ education
e) Aggressive media campaigns – changing stereotypes pertaining to social status of women
f) Curriculum books with success stories of women

7. Conclusion


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