Gender Equality

Immensely Important for a Developed Pakistan

1. Introduction
2. Gender equality and its ingredients

• Definition
• Ingredients of gender equality

3. An overview of the situation of gender equality at global level

• Situation in developed countries
• Situation in underdeveloped countries
• References from difference reports

4. Situation of gender equality in Pakistan

• Situation in urban areas
• Situation if rural areas
• Situation in FATA
• Situation in Balochistan

5. Importance of gender equality for the development of Pakistan

a. Gender equality and the political development in Pakistan

• Improvement in the provision of fundamental rights
• Better image of the state at international level
• Sustenance and better performance of democracy
• Spread of political awareness

b. Gender equality and social development of Pakistan

• Improved literacy rate
• Population control
• Decrease in crime rate
• Better conditions of health and hygiene in the society
• Improvement in living standard of the people
• Inculcation of moral values in the next generations

c. Gender equality and economic development of Pakistan

• Availability of more and better workforce
• Enhancement in GDP growth rate
• Increase in tax revenue of the state
• Increase in circulation of money

d. Gender equality and administrative development of Pakistan

• Positive impacts on institutional environment because of gender balance
• Utilization of untapped skill and talent

6. Causes of gender imbalance in Pakistan

a. Political causes

• Lack of political will
• Weak legislation
• Frequent derailment of democracy

b. Social causes

• Social and cultural barriers
• Illiteracy of male members of the society
• High population growth rate

c. Economic causes

• Scarcity of funds and resources
• Lack of economic opportunities
• Rampant poverty

d. Administrative causes

• Unavailability of accurate data
• Poor implementation of policies
• Non-conducive environment at workplaces

e. Religious causes

• Negative role of religious leaders
• Wrong interpretation of Islamic injunctions
• Closure of the door of “Ijtehad”

7. Steps taken by the government for improving gender equality
8. Recommendations for the amelioration of the situation

• Enactment of stringent laws
• Enhancement in women quota
• Effective role of media for the spread of awareness
• Effective population control policy
• Counselling sessions for males
• Provision of necessary funds and budget
• Creation of special opportunities for women
• Promotion of the modern narrative of Islam
• More focus on character-building in educational institutions

9. Conclusion

MUSLIM UNITY IS ON THE WANE
Causes, Impacts and the Way Forward

1. Introduction
2. Concept and importance of Muslim unity in the light of Quran and Hadith
3. An overview of Muslim unity in history
4. Situation of Muslim unity

• Iran–Saudi Arabia wrangling
• Arab–Qatar episode
• Civil war in Yemen
• Bloody battles in Iraq and Syria
• Role of Muslim countries when Afghanistan and Iraq were attacked in 2001 and 2003
• Marginal response of Muslim countries at the time of natural disasters
• Terrorist activities of Taliban and ISIS in Afghanistan
• Silence of Ummah on “Rohingya issue”
• Unsettled issues of Kashmir and Palestine
• Callous attitude of rich Muslim states towards the poverty and economic constraints of the poor ones

5. Causes behind disunity of Muslim Ummah

a. Political causes

• Ineffective role of the OIC
• Absence of visionary leadership
• Personal interests of leaders
• Absence of democracy in many Muslim states

b. Social causes

• Rampant illiteracy
• Poor role of media
• Poor role of educational institutions
• Cultural differences

c. Economic causes

• Poor economic conditions of many Muslim countries
• Economic differences

d. Religious causes

• Abstinence from “Ijtehad”
• Negative role of religious leaders
• Distance from religion

6. Impacts of Muslim Unity

• Hapless situation of peace
• Wrong and imprudent use of natural resources
• Political instability
• Poor image of Islam
• Promotion of terrorism
• Psychological unrest
• Increased dependence on Western countries

7. Recommendations for promotion of unity among Muslim Ummah

• Establishment of an effective representative organization
• Creation of an effective university network and exchange of students
• Creation of an effective conflict-resolution mechanism
• Effective role of religious leaders to bridge the sectarian crevices
• Focus on Muslim unity in educational institutions
• Establishment of collective media network
• Strengthening of economic ties
• Efforts for enhancing adherence to Islam

8. Conclusion.