KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for urgent and concrete action to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of women, particularly those working in the healthcare sector, stating that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without guaranteeing women’s fundamental right to life and security.
In a statement issued on the occasion of International Women’s Day, PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said that while the world marks the day under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” there is an urgent need to move beyond symbolic commitments and take practical steps to protect women, especially in workplaces and conflict-affected regions.
Dr Shoro said that the right to life is the most basic prerequisite for gender equality, adding that healthcare professionals frequently witness how conflict, violence, and workplace insecurity disproportionately affect women. He noted that incidents of harassment and violence against female healthcare workers continue to undermine their ability to work safely and contribute effectively to the healthcare system.
Citing findings from the National Gender Parity Report 2026, he highlighted a significant implementation gap in Pakistan’s efforts toward gender equality. According to the report, women make up nearly half of the early-career workforce in medicine and pharmaceuticals, yet they occupy only about 7.6 percent of decision-making positions.
He further noted that more than 51 percent of healthcare workers have reported facing violence at the workplace, with female staff often becoming the primary targets of verbal harassment and physical threats. This growing insecurity, he said, is contributing to low retention rates and worsening the already critical shortage of nurses in the country, which currently stands at around 0.5 nurses per 1,000 population.
Dr Shoro also pointed out that female professionals continue to face a persistent wage gap ranging from 19 to 30 percent across various sectors despite having equal qualifications, describing the situation as a “sticky floor” that prevents women from advancing to leadership roles.
“Rights without security are merely words,” Dr Shoro said, adding that the tragic death of their colleague Dr Mehwish Hasnain should serve as a catalyst for serious reform and action.
The PMA urged authorities to shift from internal departmental inquiries to criminal prosecution in cases of workplace violence and demanded the immediate enactment of the Healthcare Service Providers and Facilities Act. The association said the proposed law should include strict penalties, including three-year jail terms, and declare violence against medical staff a cognizable and non-bailable offence.
The association also called for the full utilization of the National Gender Data Portal to evaluate hospitals and public institutions based on their compliance with safety and gender-protection protocols.
Dr Shoro emphasized that the dignity and security of women must remain inviolable regardless of geography or circumstances. He said the sanctity of a woman’s life cannot be compromised during conflict or displacement.
He also urged the United Nations to move beyond declarations and develop binding international protocols to ensure that no state can violate the Geneva Conventions with impunity. He called on the global body to hold governments accountable for protecting female healthcare workers and displaced women in conflict zones.
The PMA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a secure and respectful environment for women in hospitals, workplaces, and communities, stating that the day should serve not only as a celebration but also as a reminder of the urgent need for justice, protection, and equal opportunity for every woman and girl.
