KP’s Struggle with Gender Equality in Public Sector
Fakhar-e-Alam
Peshawar: Gender inequality in government jobs remains a critical issue, with women facing persistent barriers to equal opportunities in employment, pay, and career advancement.
Despite a series of reforms and policies aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s representation in public sector departments remains alarmingly low, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
This gender disparity is not merely a reflection of systemic inequalities but also a manifestation of broader societal issues, including illiteracy, population growth, and deep-rooted cultural norms that continue to hinder women’s full participation in the workforce.
Government jobs, which are perceived as stable and prestigious career opportunities in Pakistan, span diverse sectors such as administration, public health, law enforcement, education, and social services.
However, despite constituting nearly half of the country’s population, women make up only 5 percent of the federal government’s civilian workforce—a figure far below international standards.
According to a report from the Pakistan Public Administration Research Centre (PPARC), under the Establishment Division, out of over 1.2 million employees in the federal government, only 49,508 are women, including those in autonomous bodies and corporations.
This marks a modest 6.09 percent increase from the previous year, signaling slow progress in addressing the gender gap. Additionally, a 10 percent employment quota for women in federal government jobs, including in the Civil Superior Services (CSS), has yet to yield significant improvements.
While provinces such as Punjab and Sindh have made incremental gains in female government employment, the gender gap remains pronounced in KP and Balochistan. Here, deeply entrenched societal and cultural barriers continue to restrict women from pursuing careers in fields such as policing, forestry, irrigation, mining, excise and taxation.
Regional Gender Imbalance
The uneven distribution of female employees across Pakistan highlights regional disparities, with Punjab contributing the largest share of female government workers.
In contrast, regions like KP and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) lag significantly behind, with traditional gender roles continuing to discourage women from pursuing professional careers.
Dr Muhammad Naeem Khattak, a former economics department chair at the University of Peshawar, explained that social, cultural, and institutional factors perpetuate gender disparity in government jobs in KP.
In areas like former FATA, societal norms often dictate that women prioritize family responsibilities over professional aspirations. This mindset limits not only women’s access to education but also their career options, including in government employment.
Moreover, the lack of market-oriented education and limited technical training for women in KP exacerbates the problem. Despite policies to increase female participation in government employment, such as the employment quota, women often struggle to gain promotions or career advancements due to bureaucratic red tape and workplace discrimination.
A lack of mentorship and supportive networks also discourages long-term female participation in government jobs, especially in the more conservative tribal areas of KP.
The Role of Education
Ikhtair Wali Khan, spokesperson for the PML-N, emphasized the importance of promoting girls’ education, especially in the tribal regions of KP, as a key to narrowing the gender gap in government jobs.
He argued that the root cause of the disparity lies in the limited access to higher education for girls, particularly in rural and tribal areas. The lack of educational infrastructure, including female teachers, remains a major hurdle.
Khan suggested that online education could be an effective solution, allowing girls in remote areas to access learning opportunities and acquire skills for government employment.
Legal and Institutional Reforms
The 1973 constitution guarantees every citizen the right to pursue any profession, including those traditionally dominated by men, such as defense, law enforcement, and politics. Senior lawyer Malik Ashfaq Khan pointed out that while reserved seats for women in national and provincial assemblies have provided some representation, further action is needed to ensure equal opportunities for women in government jobs.
Dr Riffat Sardar, Chairperson of the KP Commission on the Status of Women, acknowledged the slow progress in bridging the gender gap in government jobs. However, she highlighted ongoing efforts, including the introduction of policies like the National Gender Policy (2002) and Women’s Empowerment Package (2017).
These initiatives aim to increase female representation in government jobs through quotas and leadership development programs. Dr Sardar also pointed to the increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) stipend, which has benefited nearly one million BISP recipients, helping to educate their children, particularly daughters.
Dr Sardar also stressed the importance of online education in encouraging girls to pursue higher education, which is crucial for creating jobs for educated women.
Government Initiatives
Khaliqur Rehman, KP’s Minister, emphasized the government’s efforts to encourage women to compete with men in competitive exams like the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC) and the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA).
He also highlighted family-friendly policies, such as flexible working hours, paid parental leave, and childcare facilities, which aim to make government jobs more accessible and attractive to women.
Despite significant progress, experts agree that a multifaceted approach is required to achieve gender equality in government employment. Tackling systemic barriers, shifting societal attitudes towards women’s work, and implementing policies that not only provide equal access to government jobs but also offer opportunities for leadership positions are essential for sustainable change.
A comprehensive approach that includes education, legal reforms, workplace support, and a cultural shift is crucial to ensuring that women in KP—and across Pakistan—can fully participate in and thrive within the government workforce.
