Opinion by Naseem Hassan Mastoi
In today’s world, the empowerment of women is not merely a progressive ideal — it is a strategic imperative for national development and economic stability. Gone are the days when gender equality was seen as a social issue alone. Today, it is increasingly evident that no country can hope to prosper economically without unlocking the full potential of half its population.
Around the globe, nations that have given women equal access to education, employment, and leadership roles are now leaders in innovation, productivity, and human development. Conversely, societies that continue to sideline women through systemic gender bias are not only falling behind socially but are also grappling with economic stagnation.
Extensive global research supports this reality. The World Bank reports that gender equality in economic participation could add trillions of dollars to global GDP. For countries like Pakistan, where a significant number of women remain deprived of basic rights such as education, healthcare, and dignified work, the potential for economic gain is even more dramatic.
But women’s empowerment is not about alienation from men or dismantling family structures. It is about restoring agency and autonomy — the ability for women to make crucial decisions about their own lives. True empowerment cannot exist until women are free to chart their paths, both within the home and beyond it.
When women are educated and enter the workforce, they contribute meaningfully to national productivity. Their income helps stabilise household finances and, in turn, strengthens the broader economy. Empowered mothers raise healthier, better-educated children, breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a foundation for long-term development.
The impact of women in business is also undeniable. Across the world, women entrepreneurs and executives are driving innovation, creating jobs, and reshaping industries. These successes demonstrate that when women are given the opportunity, they don’t just participate — they lead.
Yet, despite these clear benefits, women in our society continue to face formidable barriers. Under the guise of tradition, culture, or even misinterpreted religion, many are denied inheritance rights, forced into early marriages, or pushed out of educational and professional spaces. Harassment at the workplace, societal pressure, and the lack of institutional support further compound these challenges, especially for women in rural areas, where access to basic services remains a distant dream.
If we are serious about economic revival and national progress, we must move beyond slogans and take concrete steps toward gender equity. This is not the responsibility of one sector alone. The government must enact and enforce gender-sensitive policies; the media must shift narratives; educational institutions must encourage critical thought and inclusion; and civil society must stand firm in the face of patriarchy.
The road to a prosperous future is paved with equal opportunity. Until women are empowered in every sphere — personal, social, and economic — our dreams of development will remain just that: dreams. It is time we recognise that women’s empowerment is not just a women’s issue. It is a national priority.
Note: The writer is the Deputy Director Admin of the Women’s Development Department