The status of women in Pakistan varies considerably across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socioeconomic development and the impact of tribal, feudal, and capitalist social formations on women’s lives. Working women have to face problems just by virtue of their being women. The women of Pakistan have always experienced disadvantages relative to men of the same class.
Social and cultural factors have historically kept most women from entering the job market. But with the recent changes in society caused by increased economic pressures, expansion of educational facilities and increased access to learning, more and more women are entering the job market at all levels.
Working women have to almost always shoulder the burden of household chores as well. A woman could still bear up with these problems if she had control over the money she earns. Problems of gender bias beset women in the industrial sector.
In the decision making process, the innovative and creative ideas of women are ignored. They are not given good positions because it is considered that they are weak and they cannot make good decisions. They also face problems like sexual abuses and physical harassment.
When they want to work their conservative families do not allow them to work. As they get married at some point in life, they are offered less number of job opportunities. Our society also looks down upon married working women.
AMAILA ZAHRA
Lahore
