Feminist Economics: Pakistan's Unseen Growth Engine

Introduction

In the intricate tapestry of national development, certain threads, though often overlooked, are fundamental to the strength and resilience of the entire fabric. For Pakistan, one such crucial, yet frequently undervalued, element lies within the domain of feminist economics and its practical application through gender-responsive budgeting (GRB). As the nation navigates the complex economic landscape of 2026, a critical re-evaluation of how economic policies and public finances impact different segments of the population is not merely an academic exercise but a strategic imperative. The conventional focus on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and aggregate fiscal indicators, while important, often masks profound gender-based disparities in economic participation, resource allocation, and access to opportunities. Feminist economics offers a vital corrective lens, emphasizing the economic significance of unpaid care work, the barriers to women's formal labor force participation, and the need for policies that actively promote gender equality. This analytical framework posits that a more equitable distribution of economic resources and opportunities is not just a matter of social justice but a prerequisite for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By systematically integrating gender considerations into the very architecture of public finance – through GRB – Pakistan can begin to harness the full potential of its human capital, foster greater social cohesion, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for all its citizens. The following analysis delves into the theoretical underpinnings of feminist economics, examines the practical mechanisms of GRB, and assesses their critical relevance and potential impact on Pakistan's developmental trajectory in the current fiscal year and beyond.

Feminist Economics: A Framework for Understanding Unseen Value

Feminist economics challenges the traditional economic paradigm by questioning its foundational assumptions, particularly its tendency to equate economic value solely with market-based activities. It argues that a significant portion of economic activity, essential for societal well-being and the functioning of the formal economy, is rendered invisible because it is unpaid and predominantly undertaken by women. This includes activities such as childcare, elder care, household management, and community support. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has consistently highlighted the substantial economic value of unpaid care work, estimating that it can account for between 10% and 39% of GDP in developing countries (UNDP, 2023). For Pakistan, this translates into trillions of rupees in unacknowledged economic contribution, forming the bedrock upon which formal economic activities are built. This perspective is not merely about recognizing women's domestic labor; it is about understanding how the unequal distribution of this labor constrains women's opportunities for education, formal employment, and entrepreneurship. When women spend disproportionately more time on unpaid care, their capacity to engage in paid work, invest in skills, or participate in decision-making processes is significantly curtailed. This not only limits their individual economic empowerment but also deprives the national economy of their full productive potential. Feminist economists advocate for policies that recognize and redistribute the burden of care work, through investments in public services like affordable childcare, elder care facilities, and improved infrastructure that reduces the time burden of domestic chores. Such investments, they argue, can have a multiplier effect, freeing up women's time and energy for paid employment, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, thereby boosting overall economic productivity and fostering a more equitable distribution of economic gains. Furthermore, feminist economics critically examines how economic policies, even those seemingly gender-neutral, can have vastly different impacts on men and women due to pre-existing gender inequalities. For instance, austerity measures that cut public spending on social services disproportionately affect women, who are more likely to rely on these services and are often the primary caregivers when such services are unavailable. Conversely, policies that promote women's access to finance, education, and land ownership can unlock significant economic growth. The World Bank's 'World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development' underscored that closing gender gaps in education and employment could lead to substantial increases in per capita income (World Bank, 2012). For Pakistan, embracing these principles means moving beyond a narrow focus on aggregate growth to a more nuanced understanding of how economic policies can be designed to actively dismantle gender-based barriers and foster inclusive prosperity.

Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Translating Principles into Policy

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) is the practical mechanism through which the principles of feminist economics are translated into concrete public policy and fiscal action. It is not about creating separate budgets for men and women, but rather about analyzing how existing and proposed policies and budgets affect men and women differently, and then making adjustments to ensure that public resources promote gender equality and benefit all segments of society equitably. GRB involves a systematic process of integrating gender perspectives into all stages of the budget cycle: formulation, implementation, monitoring, and auditing. At its core, GRB requires the collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data. This means understanding not only how much is spent on a particular sector (e.g., health, education, infrastructure) but also who benefits from that spending and who is excluded. For instance, a budget allocation for rural roads might appear gender-neutral. However, a GRB analysis would investigate whether these roads improve women's access to markets, healthcare, and educational facilities, or if they primarily benefit male-dominated transport sectors. Similarly, in education, GRB would examine not just enrollment rates but also completion rates, subject choices, and the availability of female teachers and safe learning environments, all of which are critical for girls' educational attainment. The process typically involves several key steps. First, a gender analysis of the policy and budget framework is conducted to identify existing gender inequalities and how they are perpetuated or exacerbated by current policies. This is followed by the integration of gender-equality objectives into national and sectoral development plans. Subsequently, budget proposals are reviewed to assess their potential impact on gender equality, and adjustments are made to ensure alignment with these objectives. Finally, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are established to track progress and ensure accountability. International organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have increasingly recognized the importance of GRB, with the IMF noting in its 2024 Fiscal Monitor that "gender-responsive budgeting can enhance the efficiency and equity of public spending, leading to better development outcomes" (IMF, 2024). For Pakistan, implementing GRB offers a powerful tool to address deep-seated gender disparities that hinder its developmental progress. It provides a structured approach for policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and embed gender equality into the operational realities of governance. By systematically asking questions about who gains and who loses from public expenditure, GRB can help identify policy gaps and inefficiencies. For example, understanding the time burden of unpaid care work can inform investments in public services that reduce this burden, thereby enabling more women to participate in the formal economy. This, in turn, can lead to increased household incomes, improved child nutrition and education, and a broader tax base, contributing to macroeconomic stability and growth. The successful implementation of GRB requires political will, capacity building within government institutions, and robust data collection systems. It is a long-term reform process, but one with profound implications for achieving sustainable and inclusive development.

Pakistan's Fiscal Landscape: The Gender Deficit

Despite the theoretical advantages of feminist economics and GRB, Pakistan's fiscal architecture continues to exhibit a significant gender deficit. The current budgetary process, while striving for fiscal prudence, often fails to disaggregate data by gender, making it difficult to assess the differential impact of public spending and taxation. This lack of granular data perpetuates a cycle where policies, intended to be neutral, can inadvertently reinforce existing gender inequalities. For instance, national development plans often articulate goals for poverty reduction and economic growth. However, without a gender lens, these plans may not adequately address the specific barriers that prevent women from benefiting from these initiatives. The low female labor force participation rate in Pakistan, estimated at 25.1% in 2025 according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS, 2025), is a stark indicator of this deficit. This rate is significantly lower than the global average and even lower than many regional peers. The reasons are multifaceted, including social norms, limited access to education and skills training, lack of affordable childcare, and inadequate safety and transport infrastructure. A GRB approach would systematically analyze how budget allocations in sectors like education, health, transport, and social protection can be leveraged to address these specific barriers. Education and Skills Development While Pakistan has made strides in increasing girls' primary school enrollment, challenges persist in secondary and tertiary education, as well as in vocational training. Budgetary allocations for education, therefore, need to be scrutinized not just for their total amount but for their effectiveness in retaining girls in school, ensuring quality of education, and providing them with skills relevant to the modern job market. For example, investments in STEM education for girls, along with targeted scholarships and mentorship programs, could significantly boost their future earning potential. The current budget might allocate funds for school construction, but GRB would ask: are these schools accessible to girls in remote areas? Do they have adequate sanitation facilities? Are there female teachers to serve as role models? (World Bank, 2024). Health and Social Protection Women's health outcomes are intrinsically linked to their economic well-being. Budgetary allocations for healthcare must consider the specific health needs of women, including reproductive health services, maternal care, and access to healthcare facilities. Furthermore, social protection programs, such as cash transfers, often reach women, but their design and delivery can be optimized through a gender lens. For instance, ensuring that cash transfers are sufficient to cover essential needs and that women have control over their disbursement can have a more profound impact on household well-being and women's agency. The absence of robust gender-disaggregated data in health and social protection budgets means that the effectiveness of these programs in reaching and empowering women remains largely unquantified. Infrastructure and Public Services Investments in infrastructure, such as roads, energy, and water, are crucial for economic development. However, their impact on gender equality can vary significantly. For example, improved public transportation can reduce women's commute times, enabling them to access jobs and education more easily. Conversely, a lack of safe and reliable public transport can be a major deterrent to women's economic participation. Similarly, access to affordable and reliable energy in households can reduce the time women spend on domestic chores, freeing them for other productive activities. A GRB perspective would advocate for infrastructure projects that are designed with gender considerations at the forefront, ensuring they contribute to reducing time poverty and enhancing women's mobility and access to opportunities.

The Path Forward: Integrating GRB for Sustainable Development

To harness the full potential of feminist economics and GRB, Pakistan must embark on a strategic and sustained reform agenda. This involves not only data collection and analysis but also a fundamental shift in policy priorities and institutional capacity building. The current fiscal year of 2026 presents a critical opportunity to embed these principles more deeply into the nation's economic governance. Strengthening Data and Analytical Capacity The foundational step is to systematically collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data across all sectors. This requires investing in national statistical agencies, such as the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), and equipping them with the resources and expertise to conduct regular, comprehensive surveys. Furthermore, capacity-building initiatives are essential for civil servants at federal and provincial levels to understand and apply gender analysis in their policy and budgetary work. Training programs that focus on GRB methodologies, impact assessment, and gender-sensitive indicators can empower officers to make more informed decisions. The establishment of dedicated gender units within key ministries, such as Finance, Planning & Development, and Economic Affairs, could serve as focal points for driving GRB implementation. Policy Reform and Budgetary Adjustments Based on gender analysis, specific policy and budgetary adjustments must be made. This could include reallocating resources towards public services that disproportionately benefit women, such as affordable childcare, vocational training centers, and safe public transportation. Tax policies should also be reviewed to ensure they do not place an undue burden on women. For instance, exploring options for tax credits or deductions that recognize the economic contributions of unpaid care work, or incentivizing formal employment for women, could be considered. The integration of gender equality goals into the Medium-Term Budget Framework and annual budget statements will ensure that GRB is not an ad-hoc exercise but a continuous process embedded within the fiscal machinery. Enhancing Accountability and Transparency Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are crucial for ensuring that GRB initiatives are effective and that public resources are used equitably. This involves developing gender-sensitive performance indicators for government programs and establishing clear accountability frameworks. Public reporting on the gender impact of budgets and policies, through annual gender budget statements, can enhance transparency and enable civil society organizations and citizens to hold governments accountable. The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), under Article 175E, could potentially play a role in ensuring that constitutional guarantees of equality are reflected in fiscal policies, though its direct engagement with budgetary specifics would require careful consideration of its mandate and jurisdiction.

Conclusion & Way Forward

The integration of feminist economics and gender-responsive budgeting is not merely an optional add-on to Pakistan's development agenda; it is a fundamental requirement for achieving sustainable, inclusive, and equitable growth. By recognizing the economic value of unpaid care work, addressing gender-specific barriers to participation, and ensuring that public resources are allocated equitably, Pakistan can unlock significant untapped potential. The current fiscal year of 2026 offers a critical window of opportunity to institutionalize GRB, moving beyond pilot projects to systemic integration across all levels of government. This requires sustained political commitment, robust data collection and analysis, capacity building for civil servants, and enhanced transparency and accountability mechanisms. The journey towards a truly gender-equitable economy is long, but the benefits – in terms of economic prosperity, social justice, and national stability – are immeasurable. Embracing GRB is an investment in Pakistan's future, ensuring that its development trajectory benefits all its citizens, not just a select few.