By Muskan Naveed ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (INP-WealthPK): Women empowerment is the process of women taking control of their lives. The need for this has risen significantly as women have been oppressed through regressive patriarchal norms throughout history. Today, while the world is moving in a positive direction and women – in most parts of the world – are given the rights they deserve, gender differences and inequality are still a problem plaguing countries throughout the world. The situation is particularly worse in developing countries as these countries are already struggling on the economic front to delegate special resources towards a marginalized group but that does not stop developing countries from trying their best. Pakistan is no exception to the rule. The country has received its fair share of negative press regarding the lack of women empowerment and high gender inequality but the country has taken a number of initiatives to tackle the problem – although efforts may need to be increased in order to see pleasant results soon. The Global Gender Gap Report for 2021 published by World Economic forum shows that Pakistan has fallen in the ranking by two positions and currently stands as the fourth worst country in terms of gender gap – 153rd out of a total of 156 countries. Moreover, Pakistan is also on the list of the top ten worst performing countries in terms of two sub-indices. The country currently stands at a rank of 152 out of 156 in economic participation, 153 in health and survival, 98 in political empowerment and 144 in educational attainment. Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating gender equality: Pakistan has taken a number of international commitments to gender equality and women’s human rights. Some of the major ones are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Beijing Platform for Action, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Sustainable Development Goals which has gender equality and women empowerment as a major theme for 2030. On a national level too, there have been plenty of developments on this front. Governments across the country have pledged their complete support and commitment towards empowering women – especially since the current women population of Pakistan is 49.2% (2021). The inclusion of women in the economic machinery of the country will boost the economy. In 2002, Pakistan achieved a milestone by developing the first ever national policy for women. The government launched an 11-year plan National Policy for Development and Empowerment of Women, which also set a precedent for various subsequent policies. For example, in 2017, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa developed a comprehensive Women Empowerment Policy. Similarly, in 2018, Punjab also launched a similar Women Development Policy for the province. Ensuring safety of women: There have been updates from a legal perspective as well. In 2010, the government passed the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplaces Act. The law was passed to extend legal protection to women in the case of harassment in order to ensure safe workspaces. Moreover, the law was also a step towards equal economic opportunities for women by guaranteeing their safety and security. To tackle honor killings, a Criminal Law for Offences in the name or pretext of Honor Act was passed in 2016 and a Criminal Law (Amendment) for Offences relating to Rape was also enacted during the same year. Moreover, in November a law was passed by the parliament which introduced chemical castration as a possible punishment for serial rapists.