Imagine a future where women thrive in the workplace, driving economic growth and transforming lives. If women in Pakistan were employed at the same rate as their male counterparts, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita could soar from $1,365 to an impressive $2,148 – an astonishing increase of 219,206 PKR per person. According to a report “The World Bank Group Gender Strategy (2024 – 2030)”, the global failure to close the gender employment gap costs some nations up to 20% of their potential income.
The report indicates that three-quarters of the benefits from closing this gap could be realized almost immediately, with the remaining gains taking a generation to achieve. According to GEGI, in Pakistan, the gender employment gap stands at a staggering 57.4%, with only two out of ten women aged 15-64 actively participating in the workforce, compared to eight out of ten men.
As we approach International Women’s Day (8 March) and a series of pivotal global meetings on women and disability, Sightsavers is issuing a clarion call for urgent action to enhance women’s access to employment – especially for those with disabilities, who face compounded barriers to financial independence. Munazza Gillani, Director of Sightsavers Pakistan and the Middle East, says: “The lack of access to resources and persistent workplace barriers continue to exclude millions of women, particularly those with disabilities, from economic opportunities. The dual impact of disability and gender discrimination creates overlapping challenges that push women with disabilities into extreme poverty.” Sightsavers is urging global leaders attending the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and the Global Disability Summit (GDS) to adopt disability-inclusive strategies that could unlock billions in economic potential while advancing gender equality.
Through programmes like Futuremakers, Sightsavers is committed to ensuring women access vital economic opportunities and related services and empowering them with skills and confidence to enter the job market and entrepreneurial workforce or start their businesses. Ammarah, who has a hearing impairment, exemplifies the transformative impact of these programs.
Through training and mentorship from Sightsavers’ Futuremakers project (a project to empower youth with disabilities, particularly women, economically), she gained the skills needed to launch her own business alongside her husband. She generated a substantial supplementary income while working full-time as an Associate in Billing and Revenue Assurance. Ammarah’s journey underscores the immense potential of women to drive economic growth and development.
With the right opportunities, women can excel as entrepreneurs and professionals, earn a steady income, and support their families—ultimately contributing to a more prosperous Pakistan. Join us in advocating for a future where women are empowered, workplaces are inclusive, and economic potential is fully realised. Together, we can unlock the doors to opportunity for all.
