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Abstract
Patriarchal power relations between men and women pose serious challenges to the strategic interests of women. In Pakistan, the goal of women empowerment could not be yet achieved due to deeply embedded social, cultural, and institutional constraints to women. The present study intended to map the state of strategic gender needs, challenges, and prospects of these needs in Pakistan. A critical review of secondary data and information generated primarily by national, multilateral agencies and United Nations Organizations revealed that women face discrimination in all strategic priority areas including; 1) participation in decision making, 2) protection from domestic violence, 3) equal opportunities in employment, 4) equality for legal rights, and 5) increased reproductive choices. This study concludes that fulfillment of practical gender needs could not challenge unequal power relations between men and women. There is a need of affirmative actions at individual, community, and state level for achieving the goal of women empowerment. At the end, this study formulates an integrated conceptual model of Strategic Gender Needs in relation to women empowerment in Pakistan.
Keywords: Gender Equity, Pakistan, Strategic Gender Needs, Women Empowerment.
Introduction
Gender as a social construct avers that the expectations, responsibilities and capabilities of men and women are not always biologically determined (Ako-Nai, 2013). In a patriarchal society, differential gender roles predominately create and reinforce male dominance (Singh, 2015). During the process of socialization within the family, at educational institutions and other social spheres, women are inured to behave subservient and to play un-recognized roles in society (Njogu & Orchardson-Mazrui, 2013). By and large, Pakistani women are restricted to play their fulfilling role in society due to the deeply rooted sociocultural constraints. Accordingly, the gender gap between men and women leads towards women's exploitation, discrimination, violence and harassment in Pakistan (Bhattacharya, 2014). The gender gaps in Pakistan are widespread. That is how, the Global Gender Gap Report 2012 Pakistan ranked 141 out of 142 countries with a score of 0.552. (World Economic Forum, 2014).
Fulfillment of the basic needs including food, health, shelter, education and other necessities of life, does not guarantee equal power relationships between men and women. Instead, ensuring women's access to power, decision making, and enabling them to challenge their subordinate position in a society is needed for...