Women Silent Frontline of Global Conflicts: Sherry Rehman

News Desk 

Islamabad: Marking International Women’s Day, Senator Sherry Rehman highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflict, inequality and economic exclusion on women, calling for urgent reforms to close Pakistan’s persistent gender gaps.

In a statement, Rehman said International Women’s Day serves as a global moment of reflection on the struggles and contributions of women, particularly those living in conflict and disaster zones whose suffering often goes unnoticed.

Citing data from UN Women, she said that as of late 2025, a record 676 million women and girls live within 50 kilometers of deadly conflicts, representing nearly 17 percent of the global female population, the highest figure since the 1990s.

She added that the number of women killed in armed conflicts has doubled, while more than 123 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide.

Rehman also pointed to continuing inequalities even in developed countries, including persistent gaps in equal pay and opportunities. She noted that one in three women globally experiences domestic violence during her lifetime, underscoring the scale of gender-based violence.

Reflecting on the legacy of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Rehman said her leadership laid the foundation for key initiatives aimed at empowering women and improving social protection. 

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She highlighted the Lady Health Worker Programme, which has been recognized by the World Bank as a “gold standard” for delivering essential healthcare services to millions of people in remote and underserved areas.

According to Rehman, the programme not only strengthened Pakistan’s healthcare system but also created opportunities for women to join the workforce as frontline health workers while improving community health outcomes.

She added that under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Pakistan Peoples Party continues to advance Benazir Bhutto’s vision of an inclusive and progressive Pakistan. She said Bilawal has consistently advocated for the rights of women, minorities and marginalized communities while opposing extremism and injustice.

However, Rehman warned that Pakistan still faces deep gender disparities. She noted that women make up 49.2 percent of the country’s population, yet only 22.7 percent participate in the formal workforce, leaving millions of women economically invisible, particularly those working in unpaid or informal sectors.

She added that women continue to shoulder significant unpaid responsibilities, including household labour and water collection in rural areas, while their contributions remain largely unrecognized in national economic policies.

Rehman also drew attention to global legal disparities affecting women’s economic participation. While countries worldwide score an average of 67 out of 100 on gender-equal laws, Pakistan’s score stands at 46.68, reflecting weaker legal protections.

When enforcement is measured, the global average drops to 53, while Pakistan’s enforcement perception score falls further to 27.35, indicating serious gaps in implementation.

Highlighting challenges in education and health, she said that 13 million of Pakistan’s 26 million out-of-school children are girls, demonstrating persistent structural barriers to girls’ education.

Rehman stressed that gender equality must move beyond symbolic commitments to concrete policy reforms in education, healthcare, economic participation and protection from violence.

“International Women’s Day is not only a moment of recognition but a reminder that societies cannot progress when half their population remains excluded from opportunity, safety and decision-making,” she said, adding that empowering women is essential for Pakistan’s sustainable development and democratic future.