Chapter 5. Gender Equality and the 1973 Constitution

Abstract

This chapter analyses specific articles on women, how the superior courts interpret and apply them, and whether they meet Koranic and international human rights standards, especially the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. It analyses the justification of this vague and unspecific declaration from the perspective of international law and constitution of Pakistan. The constitution also guarantees non-discrimination on the basis of sex in employment. This is exactly what the Women's Convention seeks to achieve: to ensure women's equality in employment. Women trafficking from and to Pakistan is a common practice. The 1973 constitution contains a chapter on principles of policy, which aim to eradicate discrimination against women and encourage participation of women wholeheartedly. Despite the constitutional principle of gender equality, several legislative decisions in Pakistan discriminate against women such as criminal and evidence laws and some provisions of the law of personal status.Keywords: 1973 constitution; Koranic human rights law; Women trafficking; Women's Convention