PAKISTAN
Women as equals
DAWN
November 9, 2025
A ROUND of applause for the Supreme Court which reminded the nation recently that women’s place in public life is not some favour accorded to them, but a fundamental right that has long been denied. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in a strong and thoughtful judgement, struck down a decision by the KP Service Tribunal which had upheld the dismissal of a female teacher, Ms Farakh Naz, after she got married. Her case demonstrates just how deeply patriarchal ideas still shape official policies. It is the kind of thinking that assumes a woman’s worth and independence end once she gets married. The court’s ruling restores her dignity and sets an important precedent: marriage does not erase a woman’s identity, autonomy, or her legal rights as a citizen. Justice Shah went further, linking women’s equal participation to better governance, stronger institutions and fairer societies. Citing international commitments such as the SDGs, he noted that when women work and lead in fields like education, administration, policy and health, they bring unique experiences that improve decision-making and public trust. Excluding them — especially for reasons like marriage — harms not only women but the country as a whole, depriving it of talent, balance and perspective. The verdict also underlines that a woman’s contribution to public life is a key driver of national development and democratic maturity.
The judgement sends a clear message to lawmakers and policymakers: stop interpreting laws through archaic thinking that limit women to the private sphere. Women must not be viewed as dependants, to be handed opportunities conditionally. They are equal citizens with the same constitutional rights and responsibilities as men. As long as laws or policies continue to treat women as secondary, our democracy and progress will remain incomplete. It is now the government’s duty to turn this principle into practice. That means reviewing service rules, removing hidden biases from policies, and creating workplaces that respect women’s equality, safety and advancement. Training and awareness programmes must challenge stereotypes within public institutions. As Justice Shah reminded us by quoting philosopher Martha Nussbaum, a society that denies women equal opportunity also denies itself justice. If Pakistan is to have a just, strong and more democratic future, women have to take their rightful place in every sphere of public life.
Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025
A ROUND of applause for the Supreme Court which reminded the nation recently that women’s place in public life is not some favour accorded to them, but a fundamental right that has long been denied. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in a strong and thoughtful judgement, struck down a decision by the KP Service Tribunal which had upheld the dismissal of a female teacher, Ms Farakh Naz, after she got married. Her case demonstrates just how deeply patriarchal ideas still shape official policies. It is the kind of thinking that assumes a woman’s worth and independence end once she gets married. The court’s ruling restores her dignity and sets an important precedent: marriage does not erase a woman’s identity, autonomy, or her legal rights as a citizen. Justice Shah went further, linking women’s equal participation to better governance, stronger institutions and fairer societies. Citing international commitments such as the SDGs, he noted that when women work and lead in fields like education, administration, policy and health, they bring unique experiences that improve decision-making and public trust. Excluding them — especially for reasons like marriage — harms not only women but the country as a whole, depriving it of talent, balance and perspective. The verdict also underlines that a woman’s contribution to public life is a key driver of national development and democratic maturity.
The judgement sends a clear message to lawmakers and policymakers: stop interpreting laws through archaic thinking that limit women to the private sphere. Women must not be viewed as dependants, to be handed opportunities conditionally. They are equal citizens with the same constitutional rights and responsibilities as men. As long as laws or policies continue to treat women as secondary, our democracy and progress will remain incomplete. It is now the government’s duty to turn this principle into practice. That means reviewing service rules, removing hidden biases from policies, and creating workplaces that respect women’s equality, safety and advancement. Training and awareness programmes must challenge stereotypes within public institutions. As Justice Shah reminded us by quoting philosopher Martha Nussbaum, a society that denies women equal opportunity also denies itself justice. If Pakistan is to have a just, strong and more democratic future, women have to take their rightful place in every sphere of public life.
Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025
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