The Gender Mainstreaming Committee on Monday recommended increasing women’s representation in federal and provincial government jobs, emphasizing the persistent gender gap in governance.
During a meeting at Parliament House, key stakeholders and representatives discussed concerns over the low percentage of women in the federal workforce. Currently, women make up only 6.8% of government employees—well below the mandated 10% quota and far from the 33% goal.
Chaired by MNA Dr. Nafisa Shah, the session was attended by MNAs Ms. Shahida Begum, Aqeel Malik, Syed Hussain Tariq, Khwaja Izhar ul Hassan, and Senator Rubina Qaim Khani. The participants expressed serious concerns over the lack of implementation of the women’s quota, which is meant to promote gender equality and enhance women’s participation in decision-making roles. The committee unanimously urged the Establishment Division to create a clear policy and action plan to enforce the quota at both federal and provincial levels.
“Women’s inclusion in governance is not just about fairness; it is vital for effective policymaking that addresses the needs of all citizens,” stated Dr. Nafisa Shah. She stressed the need for decisive action to ensure women’s voices are heard in decision-making.
Beyond workforce representation, the committee raised concerns over the Federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), noting the absence of mechanisms to track how projects impact women. This lack of gender-focused evaluation undermines efforts toward gender-responsive budgeting and inclusive development planning.
To address this, the committee called for a structured framework to assess the effects of PSDP initiatives on women, ensuring their needs and perspectives are incorporated into government projects. “Neglecting gender considerations in development planning sustains inequality and slows national progress. We must integrate a gender perspective into all initiatives,” members emphasized.
Additionally, the committee highlighted the alarming number of out-of-school children—25 million, the majority of whom are girls—one of the highest rates globally. They recommended an education emergency be declared, focusing on out-of-school children and gender disparities as national priorities requiring a unified, nationwide approach.
