FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission) · CSS (Central Superior Services)
Women & Gender Issues in Pakistan
Social Sectors of Pakistan
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
50 MCQs
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of 50 MCQs
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1
Who became the first female Chief Minister in the history of Pakistan in February 2024?
Answer:
Maryam Nawaz Sharif
Maryam Nawaz Sharif made history on February 26, 2024, when she was elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. This landmark appointment represented a significant shift in the country's political landscape, as she became the first woman to hold the office of Chief Executive of a province since the country's independence in 1947.
2
Which Pakistani woman made history in January 2022 by becoming the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan?
Answer:
Justice Ayesha A. Malik
Justice Ayesha A. Malik was sworn in as the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in January 2022. Her elevation from the Lahore High Court was a historic moment for the Pakistani judiciary, which had not seen a woman on the apex court for 74 years. She is known for her landmark rulings, including the abolition of the 'virginity test' in rape cases.
3
According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Pakistan is ranked at which position out of 146 countries?
Answer:
145th
In the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Pakistan was ranked 145th out of 146 countries, highlighting significant challenges in achieving gender parity. The report evaluates four key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. While there has been progress in political representation, Pakistan continues to struggle with low female labor force participation and high educational disparities.
4
Which flagship social safety net program in Pakistan primarily targets women for cash transfers to ensure financial inclusion and poverty alleviation?
Answer:
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), launched in 2008 and expanded through the Ehsaas and Kafaalat frameworks, is the country's largest social safety net. It specifically identifies the 'ever-married woman' of the household as the primary beneficiary of cash transfers. This strategy is designed to empower women financially, giving them greater decision-making power within their families and ensuring that resources are used for the welfare of children.
5
The 'Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act' was passed by the Parliament of Pakistan in which year?
Answer:
2018
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act was passed in 2018. It was a pioneering piece of legislation that legally recognized the gender identity of transgender individuals and prohibited discrimination against them in education, healthcare, and employment. While some provisions of the act were later challenged in the Federal Shariat Court, the law remains a key point of discussion regarding gender identity and human rights in Pakistan.
6
Who was the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan?
Answer:
Dr. Fahmida Mirza
Dr. Fahmida Mirza served as the first female Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013. Her election was a milestone for women's representation in the legislative process. She effectively managed the house during the passing of significant legislation, including the 18th Constitutional Amendment, and paved the way for more women to take leadership roles in the parliament.
7
How many seats are currently reserved for women in the 336-member National Assembly of Pakistan under the Constitution?
Answer:
60
Under the current constitutional framework, 60 seats are reserved for women in the National Assembly. These members are elected through a proportional representation system based on the total number of general seats won by each political party. This mechanism ensures that women have a significant presence in the house, currently constituting approximately 17.5% of the total membership, though they also contest and win general seats.
8
The 'Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act' was significantly amended in 2022 to expand its scope. What was a major addition?
Answer:
Inclusion of students, domestic workers, and informal sector workers
The 2022 amendment to the Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act was a major step forward. It expanded the definition of 'workplace' and 'employee' to include students in educational institutions, domestic workers, and individuals working in the informal sector. It also broadened the definition of harassment to include discrimination and other forms of intimidation, providing a more comprehensive legal shield for women across various environments.
9
Who was the first female Lieutenant General in the history of the Pakistan Army, appointed in 2020?
Answer:
Lt Gen Nigar Johar
Nigar Johar became the first female officer in the history of the Pakistan Army to reach the rank of Lieutenant General in June 2020. She was also appointed as the first female Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army. Her promotion was a significant achievement for women in the military, breaking a major glass ceiling in one of the country's most prominent institutions.
10
Which Pakistani mountaineer became the first woman from the country to climb Mount Everest and K2 in a single season (2023-2024 cycle)?
Answer:
Naila Kiani
Naila Kiani has emerged as a prominent figure in Pakistani sports. In 2023 and 2024, she achieved remarkable feats by becoming the first Pakistani woman to scale multiple 8,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest and K2, in very quick succession. Her achievements have brought international recognition to Pakistani female athletes and have inspired a new generation to take up adventure sports.
11
The 'Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021' introduced which mechanism to ensure speedy justice and protection of victims?
Answer:
Special Courts and Anti-Rape Crisis Cells
The Anti-Rape Act of 2021 was designed to reform the criminal justice system's handling of sexual violence. It mandated the establishment of Special Courts for speedy trials (within 4 months) and Anti-Rape Crisis Cells for immediate medical and legal support. Crucially, it prohibited the practice of 'two-finger tests' and allowed for the use of DNA evidence as primary proof, aiming to increase the low conviction rate in such cases.
12
Which city in Pakistan launched the 'Pink Bus Service' specifically for women and children in 2023 to provide safe and affordable transport?
Answer:
Karachi
The Government of Sindh launched the 'Pink Bus Service' (Peoples Pink Bus) in Karachi in early 2023. These buses are exclusively for women and children, driven and staffed by women where possible. The initiative was a response to the long-standing complaints of harassment and lack of space for women in public transport, aiming to facilitate their mobility for work and education in the mega-city.
13
Who was the first female Foreign Minister of Pakistan, appointed in 2011?
Answer:
Hina Rabbani Khar
Hina Rabbani Khar was appointed as Pakistan's 21st Foreign Minister in 2011 at the age of 33, making her both the first female and the youngest person to hold the post. She represented Pakistan on the global stage during a complex diplomatic period. In the 2022-2023 period, she served again as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, continuing her role as a key diplomat for the country.
14
The 'Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act' (ZARRA) was passed following a tragic incident in Kasur. What is its primary function?
Answer:
To provide an integrated system for reporting and tracking missing children
The Zainab Alert Act was passed in 2020, named after 7-year-old Zainab Ansari whose murder in Kasur shook the nation. The law established a streamlined mechanism (ZARRA) for the immediate reporting and broadcasting of alerts regarding missing or abducted children. It integrates police, intelligence agencies, and media to ensure a swift response within the first critical hours of a child's disappearance.
15
What is the minimum legal age for marriage for females in the Sindh province, as per the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act?
Answer:
18 years
Sindh is currently the only province in Pakistan that has successfully raised the minimum legal age for marriage for both males and females to 18 years through the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013. In other provinces, the age for females remains 16 under the 1929 federal law, which is a subject of ongoing debate in courts and assemblies regarding gender equality and health.
16
Which Pakistani woman became the first female from the country to reach the peak of Mount Everest in 2013?
Answer:
Samina Baig
Samina Baig became the first Pakistani woman to scale Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, on May 19, 2013. She later went on to climb the highest peaks in all seven continents. In 2022, she also became the first Pakistani woman to climb K2. Her achievements have made her a global ambassador for women's empowerment and environmental protection in high-altitude regions.
17
In the 2024-2025 context, what is the approximate percentage of female labor force participation in Pakistan?
Answer:
21% - 24%
Female labor force participation in Pakistan remains relatively low, estimated at around 21% to 24% according to the latest Labor Force Surveys. This is due to various factors including cultural norms, lack of safe transport, and the high burden of unpaid domestic work. The government and private sector are currently working on 'Gender Inclusive' workplace policies to increase this participation to boost the national GDP.
18
Who was the first woman to be appointed as the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2023?
Answer:
Jinnat Mansoor Seher
In September 2023, Jinnat Mansoor Seher, a district and sessions judge, was appointed as the first female Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This appointment by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa was seen as a move toward breaking gender barriers in the administrative hierarchy of the superior judiciary.
19
Which Pakistani documentary filmmaker won two Academy Awards (Oscars) for highlighting issues of honor killing and acid attacks?
Answer:
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a world-renowned filmmaker who won her first Oscar for 'Saving Face' (about acid attack survivors) and her second for 'A Girl in the River' (about honor killings). Her work brought international attention to these gender-based crimes and prompted legislative discussions in Pakistan to strengthen laws protecting women from such violence.
20
How many seats are reserved for women in the 104-member (or currently 96-member post-FATA merger) Senate of Pakistan?
Answer:
17
In the Senate of Pakistan, 17 seats are reserved for women. Four women are elected from each of the four provinces, and one woman is elected from the federal capital. These members are elected by the respective provincial assemblies through a single transferable vote, ensuring women's representation in the upper house of parliament.
