Women play a vital role in the development and growth of any economy. In Pakistan, despite ongoing challenges, women continue to fight for their rights and greater economic independence, contributing significantly to the country’s economic development and future prosperity.
In the Global Gender PAP Index 2024, Pakistan was ranked 145th out of 146 countries, down from 142nd in 2023. The female labor force participation rate was 30.4%, ranking 140th globally. Moreover, Pakistan ranked 81st in terms of pay equality, with only 6.1% of women holding senior management positions. These indicators highlight the urgent need for efforts towards women’s economic empowerment.
Initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor have been a game changer for women empowerment in Pakistan. The flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, has significantly enhanced women empowerment in Pakistan by providing greater employment opportunities, access to education and skills training, and improving their quality of life.
In Pakistan, a significant proportion of employed women are unpaid. More than half (55%) work as family workers, compared with only a small proportion of men (10%). Women are concentrated in agriculture, home production and informal manufacturing, where their significant contributions often go unrecognized.
Over the past decade, CPEC’s socio-economic development projects have empowered many women in Pakistan. These initiatives have provided local women with employment opportunities, vocational training, and skill development programs, enabling them to become economically independent and contribute to the well-being of their families. Importantly, these projects have broken down social barriers, enabling women to pursue careers in non-traditional roles.
CPEC’s renewable energy projects and agriculture initiatives are helping to empower women by converting unused areas into solar and wind power plants.
The CPEC Green Corridor initiative is modernizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector, particularly benefiting women farmers by equipping them with advanced agricultural techniques and improving their access to markets. These projects are promoting women’s economic independence, decision-making and socio-economic advancement, positioning them as leaders of empowerment in their communities.
Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal-Fired Power Project, a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is actively employing local women as part of its efforts to revitalize the Thar region with a generating capacity of 1,320 MW. The project has trained and employed women from the surrounding areas of Mithi and Islamkot. One such initiative has employed 21 local women to clean solar panels and do other solar-related work.
The CPEC Thar Coal Block II Power Integration Project has empowered local women in yet another remarkable way. The project provided uneducated women farmers in the region an opportunity to break gender stereotypes and join the skilled workforce. After undergoing a six-month training program, these women were employed as professional dump truck drivers for the project.
Through these projects in the desert, local women contributed to the development of their communities.
Established under CPEC, the Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar has been empowering underprivileged local women by providing them with vocational training and skills development opportunities. The institute focuses on upskilling talented women from the region.
Established under CPEC, the Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar has been empowering underprivileged local women by providing vocational training and skills development opportunities. The institute focuses on upskilling talented women in Gwadar who have basic sewing skills but have limited means to utilize these skills for financial gain due to lack of opportunities in the region.
By providing a platform for women to showcase their advanced skills and talents, the Institute is enabling them to generate substantial income and contribute significantly to the economic well-being of their families. This initiative is breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering women at the local level by making them economically independent.
While these projects reflect the growing involvement of women in CPEC, Pakistani women still face challenges such as discrimination, gender disparity, social and cultural barriers, and lack of awareness in fully participating in and benefiting from these initiatives.
Women often face deep-rooted gender bias and discrimination, limiting their access to education, employment and decision-making roles. Societal expectations and cultural norms also limit their ability to pursue CPEC-related opportunities, with heavy household responsibilities and lack of family support preventing women from participating.
Additionally, many women, especially those living in rural areas, lack awareness about the opportunities and benefits associated with CPEC and have limited access to information and resources regarding skills development programs. Challenges are further exacerbated by women’s difficulties traveling to CPEC project sites and accessing employment opportunities due to concerns about personal safety and cultural norms that restrict women’s mobility.
To ensure the sustainability of CPEC’s gains for women, it is important to address structural barriers such as discriminatory laws, lack of access to assets, restrictive gender norms, etc. Prioritizing these aspects will go a long way towards gender equality.
With the right policies and investments, CPEC can create greater opportunities for women to contribute to and benefit from Pakistan’s economic transformation. To achieve this, collaboration between the government, private sector, civil society and international partners is required.
Gender stereotypes need to be broken. Women should have access to proper education and skills development. Employment for women in CPEC projects should not be limited to low-skilled labour jobs but should also provide opportunities in technology and emerging sectors such as digital technology and tourism.
CPEC should also create opportunities for women entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises related to logistics, food production, and e-commerce. Targeted programs and incentives can encourage and support women to start and grow businesses that benefit from CPEC’s economic boost. This approach will help harness the potential of women entrepreneurs and contribute to more inclusive economic growth under CPEC.
Women need to be included in decision-making processes to ensure their needs and interests are prioritized. This includes including women in planning committees and leadership roles. Establishing a dedicated gender unit for CPEC can drive this change.
CPEC Phase I has brought about a transformation in Pakistan’s economic landscape and laid a solid foundation for cooperation in areas such as industrialization, agriculture and socio-economic development. According to the government, CPEC has directly created 236,000 jobs and employed over 155,000 Pakistanis.
As Pakistan and China move into the second phase of CPEC, the focus on industrial cooperation, agricultural development and trade facilitation is expected to further promote women empowerment and provide more economic opportunities to women.
The author is a project associate at SDPI’s Center for China Studies. He can be contacted at sadiasatti@sdpi.org.
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