Ideological and Constitutional Foundation of Gender Equality in Pakistan: An Appraisal

Abstract

The concept of Gender Equality is not innovative. It has taken place with the birth of Adam and Eve when their rights and duties were defined. In various societies, various scholars and philosophers interpreted it according to their understanding and socio-cultural, moral-religious, and political milieu. The founders of Pakistan – Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah – also remained strong advocate of Gender Equality. Keeping in view the broader perspective guidelines of the founders of Pakistan, the framers of constitutions in Pakistan incorporated various provisions to safeguard the legitimate rights of man and woman and other neglected or weaker communities in a society; and also to discourage discrimination in all its manifestations. In this study, the concept of gender equality fundamentally means policies based on sexual indiscrimination especially. This study is mainly qualitative in nature.