Abdul Najeeb Memon
Naturally, women’s matters do not invite equitable attention from a male dominant community, where space for this marginalized gender is often squeezed adequately so as their exposure to the global world could be restricted to ensure the attainment of uninterrupted unpaid services at low cost. The cost can effortlessly be endured by even unwaged members of society. At this juncture, a substantial proportion of women limit their needs to food, clothes to cover up the body, and a modest shelter from their family against a long series of services rendered to the man without considerable complaints. Because a myriad of responsibilities is made obligatory for them which is bound to be carried out for the rest of life. The scale of the job description is embedded differently with the women, depending on the social class one belongs. Such as, fetching potable water from far-off places, working in agricultural fields, taking care of children round the clock, as many cooking meals as possible, sex either willful or otherwise irrespective of their readiness, tolerance of their swinging moods, equipping a conducive environment at homes to cater job-driven stress, and the list is far-going. As against all their services, their constitutional, and moral autonomy is ravaged under the overrated social values set by the people having traditional mindsets and approaches toward women. A great number of well-endowed researchers and opinion makers have reiterated time and again that without women’s contribution to society a nation is handicapped. It is even more deplorable when the work undertaken by them more often gets unrecognized. This perpetuates a vicious cycle of silent exploitation and abuse of already underrated beings. Bangladesh is the greatest example of our times that upholds the worth of women and places high status in their social strata. The country has secured the first position in gender equality among South Asian countries for the second consecutive year on the Gender Gap Index. Three million Bangladeshi women are employed in the lucrative ready-made garment sector, which makes Bangladesh a leading exporter in that sector, which turns Bangladeshi women independent and a great resource of the country. Also, budgetary measures are taken to empower women for sustainable growth. The effects of such invaluable autonomy are worth mentioning to draw inspiration. Such as a lower birth rate than Pakistan and India, economic empowerment, better well-being, comparatively lower domestic violence, a surge in families’ good health and education overall, and a substantial reduction in socio-economic dilemmas. The more we ignore the role of women the worse it will get. It is better to be late than never. So, with time Pakistan’s publicly owned, as well as private industries also need to formulate thorough policies with open hearts to inflate opportunities, which could only be a beacon of hope for Pakistani women. Setting a visual roadmap and taking it to the pinnacle of success would change the course of the country, from standing on the list of third-world countries to a rich country in terms of human capital, infrastructure, social status, and well-being.
