1. Why International Women’s Day Matters

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration of women’s achievements. It is an opportunity to reflect on the barriers that continue to restrict women’s choices, recognize the work of those advocating for equality and identify practical steps toward a fairer society.

Across Pakistan, women contribute to agriculture, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, public administration, science, tourism and community development. Their contributions are essential to household welfare and the wider economy. Nevertheless, women can face unequal access to resources, limited decision-making power, discrimination at work and obstacles when seeking legal remedies.

These challenges should not obscure women’s achievements or suggest that all women experience the same circumstances. Experiences differ according to location, income, disability, education, family support and access to public services.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, women contribute to schools, health services, local businesses, agriculture, handicrafts, cultural preservation and tourism. Their participation is especially important in communities where family livelihoods depend on a combination of local enterprise, seasonal work and natural resources.

2. The Gap Between Laws and Implementation

Pakistan has introduced laws addressing discrimination, workplace harassment, forced marriage, inheritance deprivation, rape and other forms of abuse. These measures establish important legal protections. However, the existence of a law does not automatically mean that every woman knows her rights, can afford legal assistance or receives an effective response from the relevant authorities.

A woman may have a legal entitlement to property but face family pressure when she asks for her share. An employee may have protection against harassment but fear losing her job if she complains. A girl may have a right to education but live too far from a suitable school. A survivor of violence may be discouraged from reporting an offence because of stigma or concern about her safety.

These examples demonstrate the difference between a legal guarantee and an accessible remedy. Effective implementation requires laws to be supported by functioning institutions, trained personnel, clear procedures, adequate funding and independent oversight.

What effective implementation looks like

• Women can understand their legal rights and where to seek help.
• Complaints are received confidentially and handled fairly.
• Police, courts, employers and public officials follow applicable laws and procedures.
• Legal aid and support services are accessible to women with limited financial resources.
• Authorities investigate complaints without discrimination, intimidation or unnecessary delay.
• Public institutions publish reliable information about implementation and outcomes.

International Women’s Day should therefore prompt a practical question: are existing protections producing safer lives, fairer opportunities and meaningful access to justice?

3. Gender Equality in Pakistan: The Wider Picture

Gender equality involves equal rights, opportunities and protection under the law. It also concerns whether women can exercise those rights in education, healthcare, employment, property ownership, family life and public decision-making.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap reporting measures disparities across four broad areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

In the 2026 edition, Pakistan ranked 143rd among 145 economies assessed. This result indicates that substantial gender disparities remain, even though a country’s position in an index cannot by itself describe every community or measure every dimension of women’s lives.

The challenges are interconnected. Unequal access to education can restrict employment choices. Limited financial independence can make it harder to leave an abusive situation. Exclusion from decision-making can mean that public policies overlook women’s practical needs. Weak enforcement can undermine confidence in legal institutions.

For accurate interpretation, it is important to distinguish a gender-gap ranking from a direct measurement of every legal protection or every form of violence. The index is a comparative indicator, not a complete assessment of the justice system.

Regardless of rankings, the policy priority remains clear: women and girls need practical access to the rights and opportunities promised by law.

4. Constitutional Protections for Women in Pakistan

The Constitution of Pakistan provides a foundation for equality, dignity and participation. Its provisions are important because ordinary legislation and public policies should operate within the applicable constitutional framework.

The following table summarizes selected provisions relevant to women’s rights. The constitutional articles have different legal functions: some establish fundamental rights, while others set out principles and responsibilities for the state.

Article 106 addresses representation in provincial assemblies. Gilgit-Baltistan has a distinct governance and legislative framework, so its assembly representation and applicable legal provisions should be checked against the relevant Gilgit-Baltistan laws rather than assuming every provincial constitutional arrangement applies identically.

Constitutional provisions establish an important foundation, but women often need specific legislation, accessible complaint procedures and functioning public institutions to exercise their rights in practice.

5. Important Laws Protecting Women in Pakistan

Women’s legal protections are spread across criminal law, labour legislation, family law, property law and laws addressing specific forms of abuse. The precise applicable law may depend on the province or territory, the nature of the complaint and subsequent amendments.

5.1 Protection against workplace harassment

The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, as amended, establishes a framework for addressing workplace harassment. The law provides mechanisms for complaints and institutional responsibilities intended to promote safer working environments.

Its practical value depends on whether employers implement applicable procedures, employees know how to report harassment and complaints are handled fairly. Women should be able to raise concerns without retaliation or discriminatory treatment.

5.2 Protection against forced marriage and anti-women practices

The Pakistan Penal Code includes provisions addressing practices such as forced marriage and the deprivation of women’s inheritance rights. Section 498-B addresses forced marriage, while section 498-A addresses depriving women of inheritance through specified illegal means.

Other criminal-law provisions address marriage-related practices and violence. The applicable charge and punishment depend on the facts, the exact statutory wording and relevant amendments.

5.3 Protection against assault, harassment and sexual violence

Sections 354 and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code address specified forms of assault or criminal force against women and conduct intended to insult a woman’s modesty, respectively. Sections 375 and 376 address rape and punishment for rape, subject to the applicable law.

The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021 provides a further framework for the investigation and trial of rape cases. Effective implementation requires competent investigations, appropriate forensic procedures, protection of survivors’ privacy and fair judicial proceedings.

5.4 Protection against so-called honour crimes

The Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences Relating to Honour Killing) Act, 2016 strengthened the legal framework for dealing with honour killings. Family or community claims of honour do not make violence lawful. Authorities must apply the relevant criminal law and assess cases according to the evidence and applicable legal requirements.

5.5 Inheritance and property rights

Women’s inheritance and property rights arise under applicable personal, civil and criminal laws. Section 498-A of the Pakistan Penal Code addresses certain forms of deprivation of inheritance. The Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020 also establishes a specific framework within its applicable jurisdiction.

Women may still need legal advice to determine which law applies to a particular property dispute, how an inheritance share is calculated and which authority can provide a remedy.

5.6 Child marriage and marriage consent

Child-marriage laws differ across jurisdictions and have been subject to legislative change. The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 is an important historical law, but its age thresholds and current applicability must not be assumed to be uniform throughout Pakistan. Anyone dealing with a specific case should consult the law currently in force in the relevant territory.

Forced marriage and child marriage are distinct issues, although they can overlap. Legal protections should be accompanied by access to education, support services and procedures that protect the safety and rights of affected girls.

6. Women’s Rights Laws in Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan has its own legislative and administrative framework. Its laws and institutions are particularly important for women living in remote communities, where distance, transport costs and limited access to services can make it harder to seek help.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly’s official acts register lists the Gilgit-Baltistan Commission on Status of Women Act, 2022, passed on August 15, 2022, and assented to on September 7, 2022. This is an important development in the region’s institutional framework for women’s status and rights.

Other measures identified in the original article concern workplace harassment, compulsory education, child protection, disability inclusion, labour, senior citizens, healthcare, environmental protection and disaster management. Their precise legal status, provisions and implementation should be checked against the official acts register and the full text of each law.

6.1 Commission on Status of Women

A commission on the status of women can play an important role in identifying barriers, reviewing policies, raising awareness and promoting accountability. The practical impact of such an institution depends on its statutory mandate, staffing, budget, independence, accessibility and ability to follow up on recommendations.

For Gilgit-Baltistan, residents should be able to find clear public information about the commission’s current operations, contact arrangements, complaint pathways and published work. The existence of an act is not, by itself, proof that every intended service is fully operational.

6.2 Workplace protection

Women working in schools, hospitals, public offices, tourism businesses, shops and community organizations need safe workplaces and accessible complaint procedures. Employers should communicate applicable harassment rules, identify the responsible complaint mechanism and ensure that employees can report concerns without intimidation.

6.3 Education and child protection

Girls’ education requires more than formal enrolment rights. Schools must be accessible, adequately staffed and safe. Families also need reliable information about the applicable compulsory-education framework and the channels available when a child is denied access to education or exposed to abuse.

6.4 Disability inclusion and older women

Women with disabilities may face additional barriers in transport, public buildings, education, employment and access to justice. Older women may encounter difficulties involving income security, healthcare, property or family support. Public institutions should consider these needs when planning services and evaluating whether rights are accessible in practice.

6.5 Environment, health and disasters

Environmental quality, healthcare access and disaster preparedness have direct implications for women’s safety and wellbeing. In mountain communities, severe weather, floods, landslides and disrupted roads can affect access to health facilities, education and emergency assistance.

Disaster planning should therefore consider the specific needs of pregnant women, older women, women with disabilities, children and people who cannot travel independently. Environmental and public-health policies should also include women in planning and decision-making.

7. Girls’ Education and Equal Opportunities

Education is one of the most important foundations of women’s independence. It helps girls develop skills, understand their rights, access employment and participate in decisions affecting their futures.

However, legal guarantees alone cannot ensure that every girl attends school and completes her education. Barriers can include distance, household financial pressures, inadequate school facilities, a shortage of teachers, safety concerns and limited options for continuing beyond primary education.

These difficulties can be particularly significant in remote mountain communities, where settlements are spread across valleys and travel may become difficult during winter or adverse weather.

What would improve access?

• Maintain safe, accessible schools within a reasonable distance of communities.
• Improve transport options where distance is a barrier.
• Provide appropriate sanitation and safe facilities for girls.
• Support trained teachers and continuity of education beyond primary school.
• Help families understand applicable education rights and available assistance.
• Monitor attendance, dropout patterns and barriers affecting girls in different districts.

Education policy should also support girls who want to pursue technical training, higher education, entrepreneurship or professional careers. The aim is not merely to enrol girls in school, but to enable them to learn, progress and make informed choices about their lives.

8. Workplace Harassment and Economic Independence

Economic independence can expand a woman’s choices, strengthen household resilience and enable greater participation in community life. Yet women may face discrimination during recruitment, unequal opportunities for advancement, harassment, unsafe transport or pressure to leave employment after marriage or childbirth.

Women working in tourism and hospitality may encounter additional concerns related to seasonal employment, informal work, accommodation, transport and customer-facing roles. These are reasons to make workplace protections practical and accessible, rather than assumptions about every employer or workplace.

What employers should do

• Communicate the applicable workplace harassment law and complaint process.
• Establish or maintain the legally required inquiry mechanism where applicable.
• Protect confidentiality to the extent permitted by law and avoid retaliation.
• Ensure that employment decisions are based on fair, relevant criteria.
• Provide clear information about working hours, leave, pay and employment conditions.
• Train managers to respond appropriately to complaints and discrimination.

Women’s economic participation also depends on wider conditions, including access to financial services, digital skills, professional networks, markets and business support. In Gilgit-Baltistan, women-led enterprises in crafts, food production, services and tourism can benefit when these conditions are strengthened.

9. Inheritance, Property and Financial Rights

Property ownership can influence a woman’s financial security, ability to establish a business, access to credit and capacity to make independent decisions. Denying a woman her lawful inheritance is not simply a family disagreement; it can have lasting economic and social consequences.

In some cases, women may face pressure to surrender their shares, sign documents they do not fully understand or avoid asserting their rights to preserve family relationships. Others may not know which documents they need or how to begin a legal process.

Practical steps that can help

• Improve public understanding of women’s applicable inheritance rights.
• Make property and inheritance procedures easier to understand.
• Provide access to affordable legal advice and assistance.
• Ensure that land and property records are accurate and accessible under the law.
• Investigate alleged coercion, fraud or unlawful deprivation through the appropriate legal process.

Because inheritance rules can depend on personal law, ownership records and individual circumstances, women should obtain qualified legal guidance before signing away rights or entering into a property settlement.

10. Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice

Gender-based violence can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, stalking, harassment, coercion and other harmful conduct. It can occur in homes, workplaces, educational institutions and public spaces.

Legal protection is effective only when survivors can access safety, medical care, appropriate investigation and fair legal proceedings. Fear of retaliation, social stigma, financial dependence and concerns about confidentiality may prevent some women from reporting abuse.

What a survivor-centred response requires

• Safe and confidential ways to report concerns.
• Respectful treatment without victim-blaming.
• Timely access to medical care and appropriate support services.
• Investigations conducted according to law and relevant evidence.
• Protection against intimidation and unlawful retaliation.
• Clear information about legal options and available assistance.

Families and community leaders can help by supporting survivors, respecting their choices and directing them to qualified professionals and lawful services. Informal pressure to conceal abuse or force reconciliation can undermine safety and access to justice.

At the same time, allegations must be handled through fair procedures. Protecting survivors and respecting due process are compatible responsibilities, not competing goals.

11. Women’s Participation in Decision-Making

Women’s participation in politics and public administration helps ensure that policies reflect the experiences of the whole population. Women also contribute to local councils, school committees, community organizations, professional associations and public consultations.

Reserved seats and other representation mechanisms can provide routes into elected institutions, but representation alone does not guarantee influence. Women need opportunities to speak, develop policy, scrutinize budgets, lead organizations and participate meaningfully in decisions.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, local decision-making can affect schools, healthcare, water access, transport, environmental protection, disaster response and tourism development. Women who live with the consequences of these decisions should have meaningful opportunities to contribute their knowledge and priorities.

Ways to strengthen participation

• Encourage women to participate in public consultations and local governance.
• Support leadership development and civic education.
• Address harassment and intimidation that discourage public participation.
• Make public meetings accessible and provide clear information in appropriate languages.
• Track whether women’s contributions are reflected in decisions and budgets.

12. International Human Rights Commitments

Women’s rights are also addressed through international human rights instruments and development commitments. These frameworks provide standards for governments and institutions working to improve equality, safety and access to essential services.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) establishes the principle that all people are entitled to fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination. It provides a broad foundation for equality, dignity and protection under the law.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) addresses discrimination against women across public and private life. It calls for measures to advance equality in areas such as education, employment, political participation and legal protection.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) addresses civil and political rights, including equality before the law and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) covers rights relevant to work, education, health and an adequate standard of living.

Sustainable Development Goal 5

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 calls for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Its objectives include ending discrimination and violence, recognizing unpaid care work, improving participation in leadership and ensuring access to relevant rights and services.

International commitments must be translated into practical action through applicable domestic law, public policy, institutional capacity and measurable progress. Their relevance is strongest when people can see a difference in their daily lives.

13. Why Implementation Remains Difficult

Several interconnected barriers can prevent women’s rights laws from achieving their intended results. The precise challenges differ across institutions and communities, but a number of issues deserve particular attention.

13.1 Limited awareness of rights

Some women may not know which law applies to their circumstances, where to submit a complaint or which documents they need. Legal information should be clear, accurate, accessible and available in languages used by local communities.

13.2 Institutional capacity and coordination

Law enforcement, courts, schools, healthcare providers and labour authorities need trained staff, clear procedures and sufficient resources. When responsibilities are unclear or institutions fail to coordinate, people can be passed between offices without receiving help.

13.3 Distance and cost

In remote areas, travel expenses, difficult roads, lost working time and limited access to lawyers can make legal processes especially burdensome. Accessible services and reliable referral pathways are important for women who cannot easily travel to major centres.

13.4 Social pressure and stigma

Women may face pressure not to report harassment, violence or inheritance disputes. Public awareness efforts should explain legal rights without exposing survivors to further risk or treating any community as uniformly responsible for abuse.

13.5 Incomplete procedures and weak monitoring

Where applicable rules, complaint procedures or institutional responsibilities are unclear, even a well-intentioned law may be difficult to enforce. Authorities need to publish procedures, monitor outcomes and correct failures.

13.6 Funding and accountability

Institutions require adequate budgets to provide services, train personnel, maintain records and support affected women. Public reporting can help communities understand whether commitments are being implemented and where further work is required.

14. What Needs to Change: A Practical Implementation Plan

Improving women’s rights does not depend on a single institution. It requires coordinated action by government departments, law enforcement, courts, employers, schools, civil society and communities.

Specific priorities for Gilgit-Baltistan

For Gilgit-Baltistan, implementation planning should reflect the region’s geography and the realities of life in remote valleys and mountain settlements. Priorities can include:

• Publishing a clear, updated guide to women’s rights and the laws currently in force in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Making public contact details and complaint procedures easy to find.
• Improving coordination between local administrations, police, health services, schools and legal-aid providers.
• Ensuring that services can be reached by women with disabilities and those living far from district centres.
• Supporting girls’ continued education and women’s access to vocational training and employment.
• Providing women meaningful opportunities to contribute to local planning, environmental decisions and tourism development.
• Publishing progress reports that explain what has been implemented, what remains incomplete and what resources are needed.

Progress should be assessed by actual access to services and fair treatment, not simply by the number of laws passed or awareness events held.

15. The Role of Families and Communities

Government institutions have formal responsibilities, but families and communities also shape whether women can exercise their rights. Supportive families can help girls continue their education, encourage women to work, respect women’s property rights and provide assistance when someone seeks help.

Community leaders, educators, health professionals and religious scholars can contribute by promoting dignity, discouraging violence and helping people find accurate information about applicable laws. Community mediation should never be used to conceal criminal conduct, force a survivor to reconcile or deny someone lawful access to justice.

Men and boys also have an important role in promoting respectful relationships, sharing household responsibilities and challenging harassment and discrimination. Gender equality is not a matter of women carrying the entire burden of changing society; it requires responsibility across families, institutions and communities.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, local initiatives can build on community cooperation while ensuring that women themselves have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting them.

16. The Role of Media and Civil Society

Media organizations and civil society groups can help make legal rights understandable and hold institutions accountable. Responsible reporting can explain a law, identify a service gap, report on policy changes and provide the public with verified information.

Reporting on violence against women requires particular care. Journalists should avoid publishing identifying details without appropriate justification and consent, sensationalizing abuse or repeating unverified allegations as established fact. Coverage should preserve dignity and avoid language that places responsibility for violence on the survivor.

Women’s organizations, professional associations and community groups can help people navigate services, identify recurring obstacles and propose practical improvements. Their work is particularly useful when evidence from local experiences is shared with decision-makers in a responsible and constructive way.

For a region as diverse as Gilgit-Baltistan, locally relevant reporting should reflect the realities of different communities without relying on stereotypes. The purpose is to improve understanding and access to rights, not to stigmatize a village, district, culture or family.

17. Making International Women’s Day Meaningful

International Women’s Day can be a starting point for practical commitments rather than a once-a-year discussion. Institutions and communities can use March 8 to review progress and set priorities for the months ahead.

For government institutions

Publish accessible information about applicable laws, identify responsible offices, review service gaps and report on implementation. Consultation with women should be built into planning and evaluation.

For employers

Review workplace policies, communicate complaint procedures, train staff and ensure that applicable protections are understood and followed.

For schools and colleges

Promote safe learning environments, help students understand dignity and equality, and ensure that girls have clear routes to report bullying, harassment or abuse.

For families and communities

Support girls’ education, respect women’s lawful property rights, reject violence and help people access reliable advice when they need it.

For media and civil society

Share verified information, highlight implementation challenges, report responsibly and create opportunities for women from different backgrounds to describe their priorities and experiences.

18. Conclusion: Rights Must Work in Practice

International Women’s Day reminds us that equality is not achieved simply by recognizing women’s contributions or passing protective legislation. It requires consistent action to ensure that women can exercise their rights in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.

Pakistan’s constitutional framework and its laws addressing harassment, violence, inheritance, education and participation provide an important foundation. Gilgit-Baltistan also has a legislative framework that includes the Commission on Status of Women Act, 2022. The continuing task is to ensure that applicable protections are implemented effectively, institutions are accessible and women can seek assistance without unnecessary barriers.

That work requires legal awareness, accountable public services, adequate resources, fair procedures and the meaningful participation of women in decisions that affect their lives.

For Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan as a whole, progress should be judged not only by the laws on the books, but by whether a girl can continue her education, a woman can work safely, an inheritance right can be exercised, and a person seeking justice can access a fair and effective process.

Commemorating International Women’s Day should mean turning the promise of equality into everyday practice—on March 8 and throughout the year.