# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Close the gap" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 16th, 2025:* The article examines *Pakistan's alarming decline* in the *Global Gender Report 2025*, where the country dropped to the *148th rank* with *gender parity* slipping from *57%* to *56.7%*. This represents the *second consecutive decline* from the best *economic score* of *57.7%* in *2023*, with *economic participation* and *opportunity* falling by *1.3%*. The report highlights *Pakistan's poor performance* across *four key indices*: ranking *147th* in *economic participation and opportunity* where *women constitute only 25%* of the *formal labour force*, *137th* in *educational attainment* (the only area showing *1.5% improvement*, though partially due to *declining male tertiary enrollment*), *131st* in *health and survival*, and *118th* in *political empowerment*. The editorial attributes this *dismal performance* to *successive governments* failing to create *protective systems*, *reframe patriarchal discourse*, or respect mandates for *more women lawmakers*. A *corrupt and biased criminal justice system* has created an *unsafe environment* where *violence against women* is a *daily reality*, with *rape occurring every two minutes* due to a mere *3% conviction rate*. The *timid pro-women stances* of *female leaders* strengthen *misogynistic power structures* that prevent *gender parity*. The *Punjab Chief Minister's pledge* to safeguard women appears questionable given that only *924 suspects* were convicted out of *60,217 cases* registered across the province in *2024*, while *2,388* were *acquitted due to police negligence*. However, the editorial raises questions about the *report's methodology*, noting that *India*, despite its *track record of violence* against women, ranks *131st*, while *Afghanistan's absence* is puzzling. It questions how *Pakistan* ranks below *conflict-ridden Sudan and Yemen*, where women face *displacement* and *sexual abuse*. The editorial suggests that if *women's contributions* in the *informal sector* were properly documented, *Pakistan* would rank higher than nations where women are particularly *dispossessed*. Despite *Middle Eastern countries* facing criticism for *women's rights curbs*, they posted *higher improvements* than *Pakistan*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan* dropped to *148th rank* in *Global Gender Report 2025* with *gender parity* falling to *56.7%*. Key failures include *25% women* in *formal workforce*, *rape every two minutes*, *3% conviction rate*, and only *924 convictions* from *60,217 cases* in *Punjab 2024*. *Successive governments* failed to create *protective systems* or *challenge patriarchal structures*. The editorial questions *methodology* as *Pakistan* ranks below *conflict zones* like *Sudan/Yemen* while *Afghanistan* is absent and *India* ranks *131st* despite *violence records*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Strengthen Criminal Justice System* Reform *police* and *judiciary* to ensure *higher conviction rates* and *faster trials* for *gender-based violence* cases. ## *2. Increase Women's Economic Participation* Implement *policies* to boost *women's formal employment* beyond the current *25%* through *skills training* and *job creation*. ## *3. Create Protective Legal Framework* Establish *comprehensive laws* and *enforcement mechanisms* to protect women from *harassment* and *violence*. ## *4. Reform Political Representation* Ensure *greater women's participation* in *politics* and *decision-making* positions at all levels. ## *5. Document Informal Sector Contributions* *Systematically record* women's work in the *informal economy* to reflect their true *economic contribution*. ## *6. Address Educational Gender Gaps* Focus on *female education* while maintaining *male enrollment* to achieve true *educational parity*. ## *7. Improve Healthcare Access* Enhance *women's health services* and *maternal care* to improve *health and survival* rankings. ## *8. Combat Patriarchal Discourse* Launch *awareness campaigns* to challenge *male-centric narratives* and promote *gender equality*. ## *9. Strengthen Police Training* Provide *specialized training* to police on *gender-sensitive* investigation and *case handling*. ## *10. Establish Monitoring Mechanisms* Create *independent bodies* to monitor *gender equality progress* and ensure *government accountability*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Pakistan* ranks *148th* in *Global Gender Report 2025*. - *Gender parity* dropped from *57%* to *56.7%*. - *Economic participation* fell by *1.3%* from *2023's* best score of *57.7%*. - Women constitute only *25%* of the *formal labour force*. - *Pakistan* ranks *147th* in *economic participation*, *137th* in *education*, *131st* in *health*, *118th* in *political empowerment*. - *Educational parity* rose by *1.5%*. - *Rape* occurs *every two minutes* with only *3% conviction rate*. - In *Punjab 2024*: *924 convictions* from *60,217 registered cases*, *2,388 acquittals*. - *India* ranks *131st* in *South Asia*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan's female labor participation* is *22.6%* vs global average of *52.4%* (*ILO*, 2024). - *Pakistan* has *20%* reserved seats for women in *National Assembly* (*Constitution*, 2024). - *1 in 3* Pakistani women face *physical violence* (*UN Women*, 2024). - *Pakistan* allocated *2.9%* of *GDP* to education in *2024* (*UNESCO*). - *Maternal mortality rate* in *Pakistan* is *140 per 100,000* live births (*WHO*, 2024). - Only *46%* of Pakistani women are *literate* vs *69%* men (*Pakistan Bureau of Statistics*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What is Pakistan's current rank in the Global Gender Report 2025?* A. 147th *B. 148th* C. 131st D. 137th ### 2. *What percentage of the formal labour force do women constitute in Pakistan?* A. 30% *B. 25%* C. 20% D. 35% ### 3. *How often does rape occur in Pakistan according to the article?* A. Every hour *B. Every two minutes* C. Every five minutes D. Every ten minutes ### 4. *What is the conviction rate for rape cases in Pakistan?* A. 5% *B. 3%* C. 7% D. 10% ### 5. *In which area did Pakistan show improvement according to the report?* A. Economic participation B. Political empowerment *C. Educational attainment* D. Health and survival # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Parity* (برابری) – Equality or equivalence 2. *Descent* (گراوٹ) – Downward movement or decline 3. *Unsettling* (پریشان کن) – Disturbing or troubling 4. *Male-centric* (مرد محور) – Focused on or dominated by men 5. *Mores* (اخلاقی روایات) – Accepted customs and moral attitudes 6. *Void* (خلاء) – Empty space or absence 7. *Dismal* (مایوس کن) – Depressingly poor or inadequate 8. *Attainment* (حصولیابی) – Achievement or accomplishment 9. *Tertiary* (اعلیٰ) – Third level, especially higher education 10. *Imbalanced* (غیر متوازن) – Not balanced or equal 11. *Scorecard* (کارکردگی کا ریکارڈ) – Record of performance 12. *Shallowness* (کم گہرائی) – Lack of depth or substance 13. *Mandate* (ذمہ داری) – Official requirement or command 14. *Patriarchal* (مردانہ) – Male-dominated social system 15. *Misogynistic* (عورت دشمن) – Hatred or prejudice against women 16. *Divergence* (انحراف) – Departure from established course 17. *Timid* (ڈرپوک) – Lacking courage or confidence 18. *Acquitted* (بری) – Declared not guilty 19. *Negligence* (لاپرواہی) – Careless neglect of duty 20. *Dispossessed* (محروم) – Deprived of rights or property 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Close the gap* *Editorial* *3 - 4 minutes* *Listen to article* THE Global Gender Report 2025 is dark enough to recast the way Pakistan is viewed by the world. The country's descent to the bottom 148th rank, with a gender parity mark slipping from last year's 57pc to 56.7pc, is an unsettling comment on how male-centric narratives and cultural mores push women into a social void. The report claims that this year's results record a second consecutive dip from the best economic score of 57.7pc in 2023, while Pakistan's parity in economic participation and opportunity sank by 1.3pc. A closer look at the four key indices reveals that Pakistan's was a downward slope on the performance graph: it came in at 147 in economic participation and opportunity — women constitute a dismal 25pc of the formal labour force — and 137 in educational attainment — the sole indication of progress as educational parity rose by 1.5pc though that is partially attributed to a decline in male enrolment in tertiary education. In health and survival, we rank 131, and 118 in political empowerment. Our imbalanced scorecard in the main shows that power development and prosperity reflect the shallowness of political claims. The blame for this state of affairs falls on successive governments who failed to create protective systems, reframe patriarchal discourse, or respect the mandate for more women lawmakers. This, along with a corrupt and biased criminal justice system, have shaped an unsafe environment where violence is a daily truth: a rape happens every two minutes due to a 3pc conviction rate. The timid pro-women stances of female leaders strengthen the grip of misogynistic power structures that prevent parity and divergence. The Punjab chief minister's pledge to safeguard women from abuse and harassment is questionable: only 924 suspects in a total of 60,217 cases registered across the province in 2024 were convicted; 2,388 were acquitted because of police negligence. To claim gender parity, justice in these markers is crucial. But the assessment does raise some questions. While India, given its track record of violence against women and hate crimes, is justifiably among the lowest ranked countries in South Asia at 131, Afghanistan's absence is puzzling. So is the fact that Pakistan is positioned below conflict-ridden Sudan and Yemen, where swathes of women are deprived of employment and healthcare amid internal displacement and sexual abuse. It raises questions about the methodology adopted to arrive at these conclusions. And strangely, while the Middle East is also criticised for curbs on women, it posted a much higher jump than Pakistan. We should remember that were women's contributions in the informal sector documented as data, Pakistan would appear higher than nations where women are particularly dispossessed. Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2025