Sindh assesses gender equality with first report
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The Sindh provincial government in Pakistan unveiled its first Gender Parity Report, evaluating progress and challenges for women across the province.
Rajvir Singh Sodho, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, presented the report which examined health, education, justice, governance, economic participation, and demographics. Sindh’s population reached 55.69 million in 2023, with 108.76 males for every 100 females.
The report noted improvements in maternal health, with maternal mortality falling to 224 deaths per 100,000 live births, and a rise in women’s political participation, from 23 female candidates in 2018 to 53 in 2024. However, significant disparities persist in education, where 47 percent of women are literate compared to 68 percent of men, and a particularly low 27.52 percent literacy rate among rural women. Over 4.08 million girls aged five to 16 are currently out of school.
Women also remain underrepresented in the justice system, holding only 4.34 percent of positions in the police force, 18.3 percent of prosecutor roles, and 13.7 percent of judgeships. Authorities recorded 3,085 instances of gender-based violence in 2024. Chief Minister Shah directed provincial departments to implement reforms and strengthen gender-responsive governance, emphasizing that gender equality is essential for sustainable development and committing to integrating women’s needs into future planning.
