- KARACHI, Pakistan: Amina Sohail, a 28-year-old motorbike rider in Karachi, Pakistan, is challenging social norms as one of the few women working as a ride-hailing driver in the megacity. Her story is emblematic of a growing trend among urban households facing economic pressure, where women are increasingly entering the workforce.Sohail, the first woman in her family to work, transports women through Karachi’s crowded streets. Her father, once the family’s sole earner, fell ill, prompting her to seek employment to support her family. “The atmosphere in the house was stressful,” she says. “That’s when I thought I must work.”
Pakistan is undergoing an economic crisis, with rising inflation causing basic commodities like groceries and utilities to skyrocket. This crisis is pushing more women like Sohail to seek employment to support their families.
Despite being the first Muslim nation to have a female prime minister and women occupying positions in the military and police, only 21% of women participate in Pakistan’s workforce, primarily in informal sectors. Many women, especially in rural areas, face traditional constraints that require family permission to work outside.
Women like Hina Saleem, a 24-year-old telephone operator, and Anum Shahzadi, a 19-year-old data input worker, are breaking family and social barriers to enter the workforce. Saleem faced resistance from her extended family, who pressured her to marry instead of work. However, her mother supported her decision after the death of her father. Shahzadi’s parents also encouraged her to work, believing education should lead to independence.
Economic challenges have created opportunities for middle-class urban women to enter the workforce. Bushra Khaliq, executive director of Women In Struggle for Empowerment (WISE), notes a shift among these women, who are beginning to see work outside the home as a viable option.
Farzana Augustine, a 43-year-old Christian woman, also entered the workforce after her husband lost his job during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her experience reflects a growing trend in Karachi, a city that often leads social change in Pakistan.
In another example, Zahra Afzal, a 19-year-old childminder, moved to Karachi to avoid early marriage after the death of her parents. Her uncle, who took her in, believes in raising girls to survive in the world before considering marriage. “My mind has become fresh,” Afzal says, proud of being a role model for her family.
As economic challenges persist, more women in Pakistan are breaking societal barriers to work, providing new opportunities and redefining traditional roles.
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