Pakistan continues to trail far behind global benchmarks on women's economic rights, with the country's enforcement of existing legal protections identified as a critical weakness, according to a recent report by the Daily Mirror. The findings underscore a widening gap between legislative commitments and on-the-ground realities for Pakistani women.

Key Scores and Rankings

Pakistan's legal framework score stood at 46.68, well below the global average of 67, reflecting structural deficiencies in the laws themselves. More alarming, however, was the country's enforcement perceptions score of just 27.35 — nearly half the global average of 53 — indicating that even existing legal protections are not being effectively implemented.

Pakistan's supportive frameworks score was recorded at 50.68, suggesting modest institutional support but persistent failures in converting policy commitments into tangible outcomes for women.

Women's Labour Force Participation Among Lowest Globally

Women's labour force participation in Pakistan stands at approximately 22 per cent, placing it among the lowest rates worldwide. According to the report, structural barriers including limited workplace equality, restricted access to credit, inheritance rights constraints, mobility limitations, and inadequate childcare support continue to suppress women's economic mobility.

Women remain disproportionately concentrated in informal employment — particularly agriculture and unpaid family work — while their presence in formal sectors remains minimal. This informality compounds economic vulnerability and limits long-term financial independence.

Absent from Reform Lists

A notable finding in the report was Pakistan's absence from the list of economies that implemented significant gender-related legal reforms between 2023 and 2025. This comes amid a broader global push for gender-equal legislation, making Pakistan's inaction increasingly conspicuous among developing economies.

Notably, many countries have introduced gender-equal laws in recent years, yet enforcement mechanisms and institutional support systems remain inadequate across several South Asian economies — with Pakistan among the most affected.

Broader Economic Consequences

The report argued that restricting women's participation in economic activity does not merely affect social equity — it actively constrains productivity, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth. Economies with higher female labour force participation consistently demonstrate stronger GDP trajectories, according to established development research.

The report concluded that despite formal legal commitments, substantial gaps persist between policy frameworks and the lived experiences of women in Pakistan. Without meaningful enforcement reform and institutional investment, the country risks entrenching these disparities further.