Gender Relations In Pakistan Essay

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In Pakistan, gender relations between men and women are different than what is viewed in the United States and other European countries. Women are subordinate to men and are accountable for withholding the family honor. In order to ensure that women do not shame their families, limitations are set on their mobility, activities and interaction with the opposite sex. In an effort to maintain protection, women have been expected to follow the constraints of the purdah – they must cover themselves with a veil. Purdah helps draw the line between men and women, both physically and symbolically. For most of their lives, women reside and work within their homes and only leave for social activities with their husbands. In most parts of the country, except for Lahore and Karachi, people consider women to be disgraced if no limitations are set when they leave their homes. In poor rural areas outside of cities like Lahore, restrictions are not that strict and women are allowed to move more freely. For example, in order to survive, they must tend to rice seedlings, crops and raising chickens. It is essential for these women to work in order to survive. With that said, Igloo would be able to employ these women to work in the factory, without running into any social implications. In 1981, the Pakistani census showed that when comparing work ratios of men and women, 5.6 percent was women and 72.4 percent men. However, by 1988, this changed significantly: the percent of women working grew to 10.2 percent. These numbers are changing significantly as the year’s progress. Wealthier Pakistani women have lighter restrictions on purdah and follow the “eye purdah”, where they simply look away when networking with men (Blood). It is the responsibility...

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...ory in the rural parts of the country near Lahore since land is more available there (Ivey).
In the 1990’s, Pakistan’s economy struggled for a number of reasons. However since 2002, the country has made a tremendous recovery due to changes in government policies and reopening international aid. Most of Pakistan’s workers are employed in Agriculture. However, rapid growth in other industries, such as textiles and manufacturing, has changed that. Since 2002, the country has had surpluses in its current account, inflation has been low and exports have been continuously growing. Since the early 1990’s, the country has made great strides in economic liberalization and deregulation (Ivey). Based on this information, it would not be too difficult for Igloo to set up shop near Pakistan. Although paperwork would be necessary, the country itself would not deny the plant

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