The Gender inequality is more conspicuously manifested when it comes to schooling, particulary education at higher level. Cultural boundaries and various gender roles lead to different approaches towards male and female education. In Pakistan, for example, a family may consider it useless to impart education to girls because they are supposed to get married eventually and to take on their major responsibilities of housemaking and babysitting. Lack of segregated educational institutions at higher level also make parents reluctant to send their daughters to higher studies. Majority of rural girls drop out of primary schools. According to the Ministry of Women development 2007 report, only 5% of women have attained a Bachelor degree and 1.4% have achieved a Master degree. Likewise, the World Economic Forum 2020 report states that while the majority of countries have bridged or nearly bridged the educational gender gap, Pakistan still stands at 20%. It further says about Pakistan, "Less than half of women are literate, compared with 71% of men."
Poor or irrelevant academics of women along with some other factors like marriage and cultural stereotypes lead to their joblessness and economic backwardness. Mostly, across the globe, women cannot find equal work opportunities and, so, remain economically dependent on men. They are barred from owning land and their control over household economic resources is also limited. Women, therefore, are more likely than men to be living at or below the poverty line. As regards Pakistan, only one- quarter of women participate in the labour force i.e working or looking to work compared with 85% of men. In this connection, the WEF 2020 report says, " Only 5 percent of senior and leadership roles are held by women, twice the rate of 2016. It is estimated that only 18% of Pakistan's labour income goes to women, one of the lowest share among countries studied." Pakistan has to improve upon this alarming situation as soon as possible because raising women's participation in the workforce and advancing their financial empowerment is the key to boosting economic growth and sustainable development in the country.
Question 1: How does gender inequality manifest in education, particularly at higher levels?
Answer: Gender inequality in education is evident due to cultural boundaries and gender roles, leading to different approaches toward male and female education.
Question 2: What are some reasons for the low participation of women in higher education in Pakistan?
Answer: Factors such as cultural stereotypes, lack of segregated educational institutions, and societal expectations regarding marriage contribute to the low participation of women in higher education in Pakistan.
Question 3: According to the Ministry of Women Development 2007 report, what percentage of women in Pakistan have attained a Bachelor's degree?
Answer: According to the report, only 5% of women in Pakistan have attained a Bachelor's degree.
Question 4: What does the World Economic Forum 2020 report reveal about educational gender gaps in Pakistan?
Answer: The report states that Pakistan still stands at 20% in terms of educational gender gaps, with less than half of women being literate compared to 71% of men.
Question 5: How does gender inequality contribute to women's economic backwardness?
Answer: Gender inequality limits women's access to equal work opportunities, land ownership, and control over household economic resources, leading to joblessness and economic dependency on men.
Question 6: Why is it crucial for Pakistan to improve women's participation in the workforce?
Answer: Boosting women's participation in the workforce and advancing their financial empowerment is essential for economic growth and sustainable development in Pakistan.
