Editorial
Marginalized groups in Pakistan face discrimination, exclusion, and oppression based on gender, religion, ethnicity, caste, class, or sexual orientation. They include women and girls who suffer from gender-based violence, harassment, honour killings, forced marriages, domestic abuse, and lack of access to education, health care, and economic opportunities. They also face legal and cultural barriers that limit their rights and freedoms. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, Pakistan ranks 153rd out of 156 countries regarding gender equality.
Likewise, religious minorities are also struggling for their due rights. They include Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and others who face persecution, discrimination, and violence for their beliefs and practices. They are often targeted by extremist groups and mobs who accuse them of blasphemy or apostasy. They also face difficulties in obtaining identity cards, voting rights, education, employment, and protection from the government. According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s Annual Report 2021, Pakistan is among the countries of particular concern for severe freedom violations. Ethnic minorities are also marginalized groups in Pakistan. They include Balochis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Saraikis, Hazaras, Punjabis and others who face marginalization, exploitation, and repression for their ethnic identity and culture. They are often denied their rights to self-autonomy, political representation, development, and security. They also face human rights abuses such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and displacement by non-state actors. According to the Minority Rights Group International’s World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples, Pakistan has a history of ethnic conflicts and violence that have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.
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Low-caste groups also face discrimination in the cultural dimensions of the society. They include Dalits (formerly known as untouchables), Christians of low-caste origin, and others who face social stigma, discrimination, and exclusion for their caste status. They are often relegated to the most menial and hazardous occupations, such as manual scavenging, bonded labour, and brick kiln work. They also face barriers in accessing education, health care, justice, and dignity. Then, there is a pervasive caste system in Pakistan on the basis of professions and labour class is treated inappropriately. According to the International Dalit Solidarity Network’s Report on Caste-Based Discrimination in South Asia, Pakistan has an estimated 3.2 million Dalits who are among the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society, especially in Sindh.
Then, there are physical sexual minorities who face harassment, violence, and criminalization for their sexual orientation and gender identity. They are often subjected to social ostracism, family rejection, police abuse, blackmail, extortion, and hate crimes. They also face legal challenges in obtaining recognition, protection, and equality under the law.
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Some of the strategies to empower marginalized groups in Pakistan politically, financially and culturally are:
- Promoting inclusive and participatory democracy: This involves ensuring that marginalized groups have equal access to political processes and institutions such as voting rights, electoral representation, political parties, civil society organizations, and public offices. It also involves ensuring that their voices are heard, and their interests are reflected in policy-making and governance.
- Enhancing economic opportunities and social protection: This involves providing marginalized groups with access to quality education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, credit, land, and natural resources. It also involves providing them with social protection measures such as health insurance, pensions, subsidies, and safety nets to reduce poverty and vulnerability.
- Protecting human rights and promoting social justice: This involves ensuring that marginalized groups have access to justice and legal aid to seek redress and accountability for human rights violations and discrimination. It also involves ensuring that they have access to human rights education and awareness to claim their rights and challenge stereotypes and prejudices.
- Fostering cultural diversity and pluralism: This involves ensuring that marginalized groups have access to cultural expression and participation to preserve and promote their identity and heritage. It also involves ensuring that they have access to intercultural dialogue and exchange to foster mutual respect and understanding among different groups and communities.
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Lastly, there is a need to uplift the marginalized communities in Pakistan. A functional and healthy society cares for the weak and marginalized groups. Marginalized groups can be empowered through legislation, delegated legislation, administration, and executions in Pakistan.
