THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

The business environment for women in Pakistan reflects the complex interplay of many factors.  These factors basically fall into two categories: the first is made up of social, cultural, traditional and religious elements that are anchored in the patriarchal culture and clearly manifests in the lower status of women. The second category is the status that the constitution dictates in policy documents, regulatory arrangements and institutional mechanisms relegating women to a lower status.

The regulatory environment does not generally discriminate against women, but even well intentioned provisions can sometimes result in negative discrimination. An example would be the highly skewed labor structure for the apparel industry in Pakistan. Employment figures show that about 90% of workers in this sector are male. This is exactly opposite to the situation in other South Asian countries where 90% of workers in the apparel industry are women. The fact that labor laws in Pakistan restrict the employment of women after 7 p.m. explain the difference. The long hours often required in this industry provide a disincentive to employ women.

In Pakistan, as in many other developing countries, women are handicapped in society. They face many challenges because they do not have the same opportunities as men. Not only are they deprived of financial resources but they also lack access to basic needs such as education, health, clean drinking water and proper sanitation. Limited access to the essentials of life undermines their capabilities, limits their ability to secure gainful employment, and results in income, poverty and social exclusion. Their ambitions and aspirations are suppressed.

The business environment for women in Pakistan is typically like this:

·       Most women who run businesses do so by operating them from home, and financial matters are taken care of by male family members.

·       Women entrepreneurs are seen in subordinate roles; with low levels of education and technical skills; low exposure to other businesses; lack of role models; lack of peer support and business associations; low incomes and poor investment capacity.

·       Gradually things are improving for women because of their tremendous determination and courage.

·       Women are starting to enter specific business areas including education, health, engineering and IT.

·       Women are getting more active participation in the political arena.

·       About 60% of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan have opted for traditional businesses such as beauty salons, bakeries and boutiques

·       The largest numbers of women are employed in the garment and handicrafts sector.

·       In general, urban women are better placed in terms of accessing information than those operating in the rural areas.

·       Many women are learning skills such as embroidery, sewing, knitting for income generation, but lack an environment to start small businesses.

Economic necessity is forcing more and more women in Pakistan to engage in some sort of employment, without relieving them of their traditional roles. There is the potential to start businesses in the handicrafts industry and create ways for women to generate income, but to do so they need to learn business skills and get access to financing.  WomenTeachingWomen hopes to help the process of helping these women to start small businesses.