Sociocultural and Religious Prospects of the Issue of Gender Disparity: Pakistan Perspective

Abstract

For many decades, the women of Pakistan are suffering from the issue of gender disparity and despite certain legislations to strengthen the women, the issue could not be resolved. The Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020 ranked Pakistan 3rd worst,151 out of 153 developing countries following by Yemen and Iraq. This situation thus, leads that there are some major flaws in the existing cultural system and in the education of religion due to which the issue has become a dilemma for both, the state and the society. In this context, this study aims to analyze the issue in the light of the Qur’an, the Sunnah (pbuh) and the sociocultural context of Pakistan. After a thorough investigation, this study found cultural rigidity, illiteracy, and lack of scientific understanding of the relevant provisions of the Qur’an and Sunnah (pbuh), major contributors in the development of gender disparity. This research, thus, recommends an overhauling of the system of education, and study of the Qur’an and Sunnah (pbuh) in the light of the changed sociological context which would lead to the reformation of the rigid culture and would improve the issue of gender disparity.