Written by Maryam Habib (Director Islamabad Institute for Inter-faith Harmony and Public Life, Islamabad)

Abstract
Gender discrimination and women empowerment are two important phenomena that are currently shaping the social, political, and economic landscape of Pakistan. While some parts of the country have made significant progress towards gender equality, others continue to face challenges due to deeply ingrained cultural and societal norms. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of gender discrimination and women empowerment in Pakistan, with a focus on the different regions and communities of the country. Using both primary and secondary sources, the paper highlights the various factors that contribute to gender discrimination, as well as the initiatives and policies that are being implemented to empower women in different spheres of life.

Introduction
Gender discrimination is a pervasive issue in Pakistan, where women face significant challenges in accessing education, healthcare, employment, and other basic rights. Despite efforts by the government and civil society organizations to address these issues, progress has been slow and uneven across different regions and communities of the country. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of gender discrimination and women empowerment in Pakistan, with a focus on the factors that contribute to these phenomena, as well as the initiatives and policies that are being implemented to promote gender equality.
The literature on gender discrimination in Pakistan highlights the different ways in which women are disadvantaged in various spheres of life. Studies have shown that women in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to discrimination due to their limited access to education and healthcare, as well as their lack of economic opportunities. Moreover, women from marginalized communities, such as the transgender community, face even greater discrimination and are often excluded from mainstream society. On the other hand, there are communities such as the Ismaili and Hazara communities, which have made significant strides towards gender equality and have established a culture of women empowerment.

Methodology
This paper uses a combination of primary and secondary sources to provide an overview of the current state of gender discrimination and women empowerment in Pakistan. The primary sources include interviews with women from different parts of the country, as well as with experts and practitioners working in the field of gender equality. The secondary sources include academic research papers, government reports, and news articles.

Results and Discussion
The results of this study indicate that while progress has been made in some areas of the country, gender discrimination remains a significant issue in many parts of Pakistan. Women continue to face discrimination in access to education, healthcare, employment, and other basic rights. However, there are also examples of communities and organizations that have implemented successful initiatives to promote gender equality and women empowerment. For instance, the Ismaili and Hazara communities have established programs to promote women’s participation in socio-political, cultural and economic activities equal to men. Similarly, civil society organizations such as the Aurat Foundation and the Women’s Action Forum have been instrumental in raising awareness about gender discrimination and advocating for women’s rights.
Findings

by analyzing facts and results, it has been concluded that the gender discrimination and women empowerment are two important phenomena that are currently shaping the social, political, and economic landscape of Pakistan. While progress has been made towards gender equality in some parts of the country, significant challenges remain in other areas. There is a need for continued efforts by the government, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to address these issues and promote gender equality and women empowerment in Pakistan. This study highlights the different factors that contribute to gender discrimination, as well as the initiatives and policies that are being implemented to address these issues. By building on these successes and continuing to work towards gender equality, Pakistan can ensure that women are able to fully participate in all spheres of life and contribute to the country’s development.