Gender Dynamics in Pakistan:
A Ground-Up Vision for Change

In Pakistan, gender roles are shaped by a mix of geography, religion, family structures, and access to education. While there has been progress—women are making their mark in education, healthcare, politics, and agriculture—deep-rooted inequalities remain. The Global Gender Gap Report 2021 ranked Pakistan 153rd out of 156 countries. Female literacy is just 59% compared to 71% for men, and only a quarter of university-educated women are part of the workforce. In rural areas, many women work in agriculture, yet few have access to land, credit, or decision-making power. Climate change is only making things harder, especially for women in vulnerable communities.

At Grassroots, we envision a future where change comes from the community level—where local voices and local solutions lead the way. We imagine efforts that

• 📈 Improve access to education and healthcare;
• 👩‍⚕️ Strengthen gender data to inform better policies;
• 🧩 Break down harmful social norms.
• 🫶 Create more space for women in the economy and politics;

Empowering women isn’t just a goal—it’s the key to building a more just and sustainable future.