This post explains “Status of women’s health in Pakistan. Women’s health problems in Pakistan. The Status of women’s health in Pakistan.”
Status Of Women’s Health in Pakistan
Women in Pakistan face serious health challenges. Many lack access to even basic health facilities, especially in rural areas. Nearly half of Pakistani women cannot make decisions about their own health【United Nations, 2018】. Most Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) are either closed or poorly equipped.
Status Of Women in Education in Pakistan
Key Health Problems
1. Anemia in Women
Anemia, often caused by iron-deficient diets, affects a large number of women, particularly during pregnancy. It contributes to high rates of maternal illness and death in lower and lower-middle-income communities.
2. Pregnancy-Related Obstacles
Pakistani women encounter four main barriers when pregnant:
- Delay in deciding to seek medical help
- Lack of roads and reliable transport
- Poor conditions at health and emergency centers
- Slow recognition of post-natal complications
Most government hospitals do not have the necessary tools to manage complications.
Women Rights Issue in Pakistan
3. Unsafe Abortion Practices
Around one million unsafe abortions occur each year in Pakistan. These procedures often lead to severe infections, infertility, and even death.
4. Menopausal Issues
Rural women approaching menopause frequently suffer from uterine prolapse and urinary problems. Few have access to treatment or community support, making daily tasks a struggle.
5. Cancer Among Women
Breast, cervical, ovarian, and colon cancers are rising. There are virtually no nationwide screening or treatment programs to catch these cancers early, so mortality rates remain high.
Women’s Employment in Pakistan
6. Mental Health Concerns
Women commonly experience anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Sexual and domestic violence are major triggers, yet mental health services are scarce and stigmatized.
Barriers to Care
- Financial Constraints: Out-of-pocket costs keep many women from seeking help.
- Low Female Literacy: Unawareness of health risks and services is widespread.
- Gender Norms: In many households, men or elders must approve any medical visit.
- Shortage of Female Health Workers: Many women avoid male practitioners for cultural reasons.
- Distance and Infrastructure: Long travels on bad roads delay emergency care.
Steps Taken So Far
National Committee on Maternal Health
Established in 1994, it conducted the first verbal autopsy survey in 2007 to understand maternal deaths.
Decline in Maternal Mortality
Maternal deaths dropped from 375 per 100,000 births in 1995 to 178 per 100,000 in 2019.
Social Protection Programs
- Benazir Income Support Program (2008–2013) provided cash to poor women for basic needs.
- Insaf Card scheme allows buying medicines and medical tests through government subsidies.
Role of Humanitarian Organizations
Numerous local and international NGOs run clinics, awareness campaigns, and mobile health camps targeting women.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Upgrade and staff all BHUs and RHCs with female health workers.
- Launch community-based awareness drives on maternal nutrition, family planning, and early warning signs.
- Provide free or low-cost cancer screenings at district hospitals.
- Strengthen emergency transport services in remote areas.
- Expand mental health services with trained counselors in every district.
- Legalize and regulate safe abortion services alongside post-abortion care.
- Empower women through literacy programs linked to health education.
Conclusion
Women in Pakistan continue to struggle for basic health rights due to infrastructure gaps, cultural barriers, and limited resources. While government initiatives and NGO efforts have brought some improvements, a comprehensive, sustained approach is essential. Investing in facilities, educating communities, and empowering women to make health decisions will be critical to changing this outlook.
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