PGPR is a report, measuring the magnitude of disparity in Punjab and gives recommendations to different sectors for new interventions related to gender and development
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Women’s economic participation as an important contributor to the global and national economy has led to an increase in studies to understand the issues and challenges that women face in such participation, and highlighted the need for timely and accurate data on the subject. The Center of Gender and Policy Studies and the National Commission on the Status of Women recognize that addressing women’s economic status is imperative if Pakistan is to reap the benefits of the global economy. The findings and data presented in this report supplement the studies available of women’s economic participation and provide some insights that will be of use to advocates and academics, policy makers and organizations.
Economic empowerment of women has long been considered a key component in structural interventions to reduce gender inequality, make women financially autonomous and reduce Gender-Based Violence (GBV). In Pakistan, most of the women residents of government managed shelters, and female inmates of prisons belong to the lower socioeconomic groups , which places them in an already marginalized position to start off and further exacerbates the barriers to their economic and social reintegration once they leave these institutions. Many of these women are accompanied by children who have additional needs, and they are largely dependent on their immediate family or husband/ in-laws for economic resources and even bare essentials. Once they leave, patriarchal family structures and societal norms fail to provide them with a conducive environment to live independent lives where they can make decisions in their own interest. These barriers to living a life of independence and dignity result in a high rate of return to abusive partners or households, perpetuating the cycles of violence and crime. This study is designed to assess needs of women in distress living in shelters or prisons to inform policy and programmatic actions on the rehabilitation plans for such women and corresponding allocation resources.
This report examines the critical role of family-friendly policies and workplace childcare in Pakistan, emphasizing their impact on economic growth, gender equality, and workforce retention. It identifies significant gaps in existing policy frameworks and childcare infrastructure that hinder the full participation of working parents- particularly women-in the labor market. Drawing upon both quantitative data and qualitative insights, the analysis reveals that cultural norms and a lack of structured childcare services create substantial challenges for parents who need to balance both their professional and caregiving responsibilities.