Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Rectifying Policy Disparity in Pakistan's Women's Sports Infrastructure

Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Rectifying Policy Disparity in Pakistan's Women's Sports Infrastructure

In 2025, Pakistan's women's cricket team found itself ranked between 7th and 10th in the ICC Women's ODI and T20I rankings, a position that has seen little upward mobility over the past decade. This stagnation is not merely a reflection of on-field performance but a symptom of a deeper, systemic issue: a profound disparity in the allocation of resources and development of infrastructure for women's sports. While Pakistan boasts a rich sporting tradition, the narrative for its female athletes is often one of struggle against societal norms, cultural barriers, and, crucially, a persistent lack of equitable funding. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), for instance, while increasing its budget for women's cricket, still allocates a fraction of its overall resources to the women's game. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, approximately PKR 1.2 billion was allocated to women's cricket, a significant increase but dwarfed by the multi-billion rupee ecosystem supporting men's cricket (PCB Annual Report, 2023). This fiscal imbalance directly translates into underdeveloped training facilities, fewer international exposure tours, and a shallower domestic talent pipeline, all of which impede Pakistan's ability to compete with nations that have professionalized their women's sports sectors. This article will delve into the extent of this disparity, examine its impact on Pakistan's standing in key sports like cricket and hockey, and propose a path forward through the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting principles.

Context & Background: The Structural Deficit in Women's Sports

The landscape of women's sports in Pakistan is characterized by a complex interplay of socio-cultural barriers, policy gaps, and chronic underfunding. While legal frameworks may not explicitly prohibit women's participation, deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and religious misinterpretations often create significant hurdles. A study indicated that nearly 90% of Pakistani women and girls do not participate in sports or physical activities, citing constraints such as lack of funds, inadequate facilities, family disapproval, and social/religious restrictions (Cailliau, 2013; Laar et al., 2019a). This is further exacerbated by a lack of gender-sensitive policies within sports governance. For instance, the last revised sports policy in Pakistan dates back to 2005, with subsequent attempts to introduce a new national policy faltering due to political instability (Dawn, June 10, 2023). This policy vacuum leaves women's sports development largely to the discretion of individual federations, many of which operate with limited resources and a skewed focus towards male athletes. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), despite allocating over Rs 500 million in the 2023-24 financial year to various sports federations and athletes, has historically seen a disproportionate distribution of funds. For example, the Pakistan Hockey Federation received Rs 103.6 million over five years, with a significant portion allocated recently, while other federations also received substantial grants (The Express Tribune, September 11, 2024). However, a gender-disaggregated breakdown of these allocations, particularly for women's specific infrastructure development, remains largely opaque. The stark reality is that only 11% of public schools in Pakistan possess sports facilities for girls, and a staggering 67% of parents deem sports inappropriate for their daughters (ResearchGate, 2025). This deficit in basic infrastructure and societal acceptance creates a formidable barrier from the grassroots level upwards, limiting the talent pool and hindering the development of a competitive female sporting cohort.

The Cricket Conundrum: Funding Disparity and ICC Rankings

Cricket, arguably Pakistan's most popular sport, exemplifies the challenges faced by women athletes. While the PCB has made strides, such as introducing domestic contracts for 74 women cricketers in August 2023 and establishing exclusive practice facilities in underdeveloped areas like Multan, Peshawar, and Quetta, the overarching funding disparity remains stark. The PCB's annual budget for women's cricket, approximately PKR 227 million for promotion and development (PCB Women's Wing, 2023), is a testament to increased focus but pales in comparison to the men's multi-billion rupee ecosystem. This financial gap directly impacts infrastructure development. While the PCB is establishing five academies in Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Abbottabad, and Rawalpindi, the quality and accessibility of these facilities for women often lag behind those available to men. Furthermore, the PCB's decision to hold a women's T20 league modelled after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in March 2023 was a positive step, but its scale and financial backing are yet to match the men's league (Geo News, December 6, 2023). This underinvestment in high-performance infrastructure, coaching, and regular international exposure tours has a tangible effect on the national team's performance. Pakistan's consistent ranking between 7th and 10th in the ICC Women's ODI and T20I rankings over the last decade (ICC, 2026) reflects this inability to break into the top tier dominated by Australia, England, and India, nations with significantly higher investment in their women's cricket programs. For instance, while India's BCCI achieved match-fee parity in 2022, Pakistani female cricketers earned roughly 15-20% of their male counterparts' match fees as of early 2025 (Grand Review Analysis, 2025). This disparity not only affects player motivation but also limits the depth of the talent pool, with estimates suggesting fewer than 500 active professional female cricketers in Pakistan compared to over 10,000 in Australia (Cricket Australia, 2024).

Hockey's Hovering Potential: A Case of Neglect

The situation in women's hockey, Pakistan's former national sport, is even more concerning. While the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has allocated funds to various federations, specific data on the proportion directed towards women's hockey infrastructure development is scarce. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Women's World Rankings show no Pakistani team presence in the top tiers, a stark contrast to nations like the Netherlands, Argentina, and Belgium that consistently feature in the top rankings (FIH, 2026). This absence from global rankings is a direct consequence of limited investment in grassroots development, inadequate training facilities, and a lack of consistent international exposure for the women's national team. Unlike cricket, where the PCB has at least initiated some dedicated programs, women's hockey appears to be a lower priority, receiving minimal attention and funding. The lack of dedicated women's hockey turfs, proper coaching academies, and regular participation in international tournaments means that Pakistan is unable to nurture a competitive talent pool. The few Pakistani sportswomen who have achieved international recognition, such as Fatima Zahra in boxing or Naila Kiani in mountaineering, often do so in spite of, rather than because of, systemic support for their respective disciplines. The neglect of sports like hockey, which have historical significance for Pakistan, further underscores the broader issue of gender disparity in sports policy and resource allocation.

Pakistan-Specific Implications: The Cost of Inaction

The implications of this persistent policy disparity for Pakistan are far-reaching. Beyond the direct impact on athletic performance and global rankings, it perpetuates a cycle of gender inequality. When girls and women are denied adequate sporting opportunities and infrastructure, it reinforces societal perceptions that their potential is secondary. This has a ripple effect on their confidence, self-esteem, and overall empowerment. The lack of investment in women's sports infrastructure means fewer role models emerging from grassroots levels, which in turn discourages future generations from pursuing athletic careers. For instance, the limited number of female athletes in Pakistan's Olympic history, with only 10 women participating between 1896 and 2016, underscores this systemic issue (ResearchGate, 2025). Furthermore, the economic argument for investing in women's sports is often overlooked. Empowered female athletes can become significant contributors to the national economy through endorsements, professional careers, and by inspiring entrepreneurship. The absence of a robust women's sports sector represents a missed opportunity for national development and social progress. The current approach, which often relies on individual athletes' resilience to overcome systemic challenges, is unsustainable. It is akin to expecting a plant to grow without water or sunlight. The policy needs a fundamental shift towards proactive, gender-responsive budgeting that recognizes sports not just as a recreational activity but as a critical tool for national development and gender equality.

Conclusion & Way Forward

The current state of women's sports infrastructure in Pakistan is a clear indicator of a policy and funding disparity that requires urgent attention. The consistent underinvestment, compounded by socio-cultural barriers, has relegated women's sports to a secondary status, hindering national athletic potential and perpetuating gender inequality. To rectify this, a paradigm shift towards gender-responsive budgeting is imperative. This means not only increasing the quantum of funds allocated to women's sports but also ensuring that these resources are strategically deployed to develop grassroots talent, enhance training facilities, provide equitable pay and opportunities, and foster a supportive societal environment. The PCB's recent initiatives, while commendable, represent a starting point rather than a comprehensive solution. A national sports policy that explicitly integrates gender equality principles and mandates equitable resource allocation across all sports federations is crucial. Furthermore, increased media representation and public awareness campaigns can help challenge existing stereotypes and promote the value of women's participation in sports. By embracing gender-responsive budgeting, Pakistan can move beyond token gestures and build a truly inclusive and competitive sporting ecosystem that benefits all its citizens and enhances its standing on the global stage.

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