A recent study jointly conducted by Gallup Pakistan and PRIDE has revealed a concerning trend regarding the employment status of women engineering graduates in the country. According to data from the Labor Force Survey 2020-21, approximately 70% of women engineering graduates in Pakistan find themselves either unemployed or out of the labor force.
The study reported that out of a total of 28,920 women engineering graduates, 20.9% were unemployed, while a significant 50.9% were categorized as being out of the labor force. Only 28% of these graduates remained employed.
When the data was analyzed based on the geographic distribution of these graduates, it was observed that 21.1% of all engineering graduates resided in rural areas, while the majority, 78.9%, were based in urban areas. Within rural areas, 43.9% of engineering graduates were employed, whereas 36.3% were unemployed.
The percentage of engineering graduates who chose to stay out of the labor force in rural areas was notably lower (19.8%) compared to the national average of 50.9%. In urban areas, 24% of women engineering graduates were employed, 16.8% were unemployed, but a substantial 59.2% remained out of the labor force.
Further insights from the study showed that a little over 64% of engineering graduates who chose not to participate in the labor force were married, while 28.4% remained single.
The majority of women engineering graduates fell within the age group of 25-34 years, accounting for 50.9% of the total, followed by the 35-44 years age group, representing 21.7%.
The findings of this study raise concerns about the challenges and barriers that women engineering graduates face in seeking employment or participating in the workforce. Factors contributing to this situation may include gender disparities, societal norms, and workplace conditions.
Encouraging the employment of women in engineering fields, providing supportive policies, and fostering inclusive work environments are crucial steps toward addressing this issue and promoting gender equality in the engineering profession in Pakistan.