In recent years, Pakistani women have been defying entrenched norms and challenging the systemic inequalities that have long constrained them. Their relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and rights is reshaping Pakistan’s socio-political landscape. From the streets of Karachi to the rugged mountains of Khyber, women are stepping out, raising their voices, and participating in political and rights movements like never before. This change, while still fragile, is a testament to their courage and determination, and it signals a broader transformation within the country.
One cannot overlook the recent case of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, whose unjust detention before she could travel to New York to participate in a prestigious event, added fuel to the already simmering discontent against Pakistan’s oppressive government policies. Baloch was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year – a symbol of Pakistan’s new generation of women leaders. The very fact that her travel was blocked suggests the threat these powerful women pose to the established elite, who fear the voices calling for change. Such incidents reflect a broader, systemic attempt to silence women who dare to stand up.
The images of police brutality against human rights activists, notably the heart-wrenching footage of a young woman lawyer being beaten in Karachi, have not faded from public memory. These images serve as stark reminders of how the state is increasingly clamping down on those who dare to question its policies. However, it is also a reminder of the bravery of those women who refuse to remain silent, even in the face of violence and oppression.
Across Pakistan, women are not just participants; they are emerging as leaders in movements aimed at securing justice and human rights. The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) recently held a jirga in Khyber, where the notable participation of women sent a clear signal that they are no longer willing to be sidelined. PTM’s women activists are crucial to the movement’s continued defiance against state oppression, religious extremism, and the Taliban’s resurgence in areas near the Afghan border. The involvement of these women is not only significant for Pakistan but also for the neighbouring Afghan women, who continue to suffer under the deeply misogynistic rule of the Taliban.
“The strength of a society is measured not by how it treats its most powerful, but by how it empowers its most oppressed.”
The struggle against gender inequality is no longer limited to isolated efforts. It has transformed into a broader movement challenging the socio-political and cultural divides that disproportionately affect the marginalized. Recent protests in Punjab following a sexual assault in a hostel sparked outrage and brought the issue of violence against women into sharp focus. Women’s groups, particularly in urban centres like Lahore, are increasingly vocal in their demands for justice, and their protests are starting to resonate even in conservative areas of the province.
This transformation is significant. For too long, women’s voices have been suppressed by invoking religious or cultural reasons to justify the status quo. Even the presence of female leaders in top political roles, such as the premiership, has done little to challenge the deep-seated misogyny embedded in Pakistan’s power structures. Women are often dismissed or maligned by the very systems they aim to reform, and their character assassination has become a common tool for silencing dissent. Despite these challenges, the new wave of women leaders – many from humble backgrounds – are undeterred.
Unlike earlier generations of women who hailed from privileged backgrounds and whose leadership failed to transform society in meaningful ways, these new leaders are embedded within their communities. Their activism is organic, born from necessity, and supported by the grassroots. This gives hope that the current momentum will result in long-lasting change, as women continue to gain prominence in political and social spaces.
However, this is not without its challenges. Political parties, regardless of their public rhetoric, have historically been ambivalent toward women’s participation. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), for instance, despite its claims of being progressive, has been criticized for allowing extremist elements to infiltrate its ranks, especially in Sindh. The ruling party’s brutal crackdown on civil society protests reveals its prioritization of power over human rights.
This behaviour is not unique to the PPP; it is a hallmark of political parties in Pakistan. When in opposition, these parties often express solidarity with marginalized communities and women’s movements, only to reverse course once in power. Women’s issues are frequently side-lined, and political elites cater to more powerful interests. However, the presence of women in leadership roles, particularly in movements like the PTM, offers a glimmer of hope. These women have shown remarkable dedication to their causes, and their increasing involvement reduces the risk of compromise with the establishment.
Religious parties, too, have witnessed some female participation, but this involvement remains largely tokenistic. Women in these parties are confined to secondary roles, with little influence over decision-making processes. Their participation often serves to protect the very structures that oppress them, rather than to challenge them.
Despite these hurdles, women’s resistance in Pakistan is inspiring. The battle they are fighting is not only against gender inequality but also against a much larger system of oppression. Their courage in standing up to extremist forces, oppressive government policies, and institutionalized misogyny serves as a beacon of hope, not just for women in Pakistan but for all those fighting for justice across the world.
In this transformative moment, Pakistan’s women are leading a silent yet profound revolution, reshaping the nation’s social and political landscape. The path ahead remains fraught with challenges, but as more women take the lead in these movements, there is hope that their collective strength will dismantle the oppressive structures that have kept them in the shadows for far too long. Change is already underway, and it is the women of Pakistan who are lighting the way forward.
