Daily Times

Gender is a significant category of social organization, however, patterns of deprivations are associated with differences in gender as seen in women with disabilities (WWD) confronted with multiple discriminations and routinely denied legitimate expectations of their human rights by virtue of a lesser status ascribed to them in Pakistan’s patriarchal society. Commonly, WWD suffer discrimination in sectors of education, profession, employment, family and reproductive rights, health, violence and domestic abuse of an enduring nature. In Pakistan there is a stark educational discrimination more so in rural areas. Surprisingly accessibility rates are markedly better in KP and Punjab at 84 and 80 percent while for Sindh and Balochistan it was 45 and 34 percent respectively. Slightly less than half of girls’ schools in rural areas do not have water or latrine facilities compounded by structural issues such as early marriage discouraging girls from seeking higher education. UNICEF defines inclusive education as a process that involves the transformation of schools to cater for children of both gender, urban and rural populations, HIV and AIDS affectees and those with disabilities that impede learning.

World Health Organization estimates that about 15 percent of Pakistan’s population suffers from different types of disabilities, with almost 50 percent being women predominantly residing in rural areas, who are beset with low access to quality health or inclusive education.

Citing UNICEF’s Annual Report 2017, equity-focused surveys and research highlighted evidence-based advocacy to encourage the Government of Pakistan to enhance resource allocation in favour of deprived areas to target the specific needs of vulnerable groups including gender associated considerations, individuals below poverty line and those with disabilities.

Analysis of the index shows that Western European countries occupy the top slots with the top 10 having surpassed the threshold of closing more than 80 percent of their gender gap over the last four years. Western Europe reflects a gender gap of 25 percent, North America depicts a gap of 28 percent and South Asia 34 percent. Commendably the region of South Asia has made rapid progress, yet Pakistan remains the region’s lowest ranked country in the gender gap index

According to the global competitiveness report, Pakistan ranks at 107. The Global Gender Gap Index is a framework established by

the World Economic Forum in 2006 for appreciating the range of gender centered disparities and monitoring over a period of time. Establishing a thematic analysis structured around a benchmark of 144 countries on their march towards gender parity on a scale from 0 (imparity) to

1 (parity) including dimensions of economic participation, opportunity, education, health and political empowerment. The rankings are designed to create an awareness of the potential loss being incurred and the economic potential that can be unleashed by overcoming the challenge posed by gender gaps. Authenticity is derived through a consistent and digitalized cross country and time sequenced thematic analysis. Factoring in population the mean progress on reducing the gender gap worldwide remains at 68 percent signifying that a gap of 32 percent exists and only 58 percent of the economic participation gap has been secured.

Despite the prevaricating pace of advancement internationally the picture is dismal in the developing world, and according to the Global Gender Gap Report of 2017 out of 142 countries 82 countries have comparatively improved in the gender gap score, yet a decrease has been witnessed in 60 countries. Analysis of the index shows that Western European countries occupy the top slots with the top 10 having surpassed the threshold of closing more than 80 percent of their gender gap over the last four years. Western Europe reflects a gender gap of 25 percent, North America depicts a gap of 28 percent and South Asia 34 percent. Commendably the region of South Asia has made rapid progress, yet Pakistan remains the region’s lowest ranked country in the gender gap index.

The present government can pioneer and formulate Pakistan’s National Disability Strategy (NDS) as a policy framework to conform to commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The NDS would cater to rights of women so that their legitimate expectations are not denied, and that gender remains a prime consideration in the development of legislation, policy and programs to advance gender equality. In Pakistan, implementation of the World Health Organization Global Disability Action Plan is beset with a dearth of untrained personnel, disintegrated healthcare structure, dismal coordination amongst healthcare segments, inadequate health services infrastructure and funding, unreliable disability data, outdated legislation and lack of accreditation standards.

Studies indicate that increase in gender parity can generate upto USD 250 billion to UK’s GDP and USD 310 to the GDP of Germany with China likely to gain USD 2.5 trillion within a span of 7 years. These gaps often reflect a set of factors and in Pakistan females are visible in the occupations of health, medicine such as gynecology, social welfare and education with representation at the lower end of the spectrum in engineering, technology, industry, information technology and security.

A report of the World Bank concluded that investing in girls timely, inclusive education and health may bring about a rise in GDP growth rate of about 1.5 percent. Pakistan can exploit the potential of the female population for sustainable development as other developing countries are outpacing us. Mere employment quota allocations in the public sector although a welcome initiative will not unleash their latent capacity. Time is ripe to introspect and provide an enabling environment for female empowerment, elimination of gender centered disability taboos, economic liberation, and employment integration at the executive and technical level in order to remain internationally competitive.

The writer has a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences and has done a Fellowship in Clinical & Research NeuroRehabilitation

Published in Daily Times, January 31^st 2019.