STRENGTHENING WOMEN’S RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF UN WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN ERADICATING INEQUALITY AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN PAKISTAN (2018-2022)

Abstract

Women's rights violations are still common in various countries. Gender-based violence is one of the most severe cases that have occurred and been experienced by women in Pakistan. As an international organization that focuses on women's empowerment and gender equality, UN Women exists in Pakistan to help combat cases of gender-based inequality and violence. This paper aims to explain the role of UN Women's involvement in overcoming cases of inequality and gender-based violence in Pakistan, especially in 2018-2022. UN Women's efforts include working with stakeholders, the Government of Pakistan, and local organizations in Pakistan, by implementing various strategies related to its main goal, eliminating violence against and upholding women's empowerment. These efforts were analyzed using liberal feminism and international organizations theory. The data analysis technique in this paper is using qualitative analysis. The results of the study show that UN Women fully support it. However, it has not shown very significant results related to reducing gender inequality in Pakistan due to the contrast with the patriarchal culture deeply rooted in Pakistani lives. However, UN Women succeeded in building public awareness and realizing that speaking out for justice is the way to be free from gender-based violence.