Pakistan has been identified as one of the weakest performers globally in terms of gender representation in the workplace, with women holding less than 8% of senior and middle management positions, according to data from the International Labour Organization. This places Pakistan in the company of Afghanistan and Yemen at the bottom of the global rankings, despite women accounting for nearly 30% of management roles worldwide, as reported by Dawn.
The report draws attention to a significant disparity between Pakistan and various other Muslim-majority nations. While Brunei boasts over 32% women in management positions, the UAE stands at 23.5%, Tunisia at 26%, and Turkiye at 19.1%, according to the Dawn report.
These statistics shed light on the situation in Pakistani workplaces, where although the presence of women has increased, their decision-making authority remains restricted. Experts note that misogyny in Pakistani workplaces manifests in various ways, ranging from direct in traditional settings to subtle biases in modern and corporate environments.
In many instances, gender equality in offices may seem apparent, but a closer look reveals patterns where women are often relegated to tasks like taking notes, organizing meetings, or handling follow-ups, irrespective of their official roles. This perpetuates the perception of women as support staff rather than leaders and undermines their professional contributions.
Suggestions put forth by women are frequently overlooked, only to be acknowledged when reiterated by male colleagues later on. This dynamic not only deprives women of due credit but also reinforces the notion that authority primarily resides in male voices.
