Women in Pakistan

The status of women in Pakistan is one of systemic gender subordination even though it varies considerably across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socioeconomic development and the impact of tribal, feudal, and capitalist social formations on women's lives. The Pakistani women of today do, however, enjoy a better status than the past.

The stance of religious bodies has been mainly antagonistic towards women. Even rape victims have not been allowed to use DNA evidence to prove their cases, however the All Pakistan Ulema Council recently issued fatwas denouncing "honour killings". Other improvements are also being made as Lahore has inaugurated its first service of lady traffic wardens to manage the traffic and even the country's most conservative province is planning to increase the percentage of women in the police force.

Even with these improvements the situation of women in Pakistan remains dire with rampant domestic abuse, high rate of child marriages and forced marriages. Pakistan is currently the third worst country in the world for women. According to reports by new economy "Many of Pakistan's cultural and religious practices pose a huge threat to women, particularly child and forced marriage, acid attacks and punishment by stoning."