In a nation already grappling with a challenging job market, a joint research effort by Gallup Pakistan and PRIDE has unveiled a staggering gender disparity within the engineering field.

According to the analysis of the Labor Force Survey 2020-21, over 70% of female engineering graduates in Pakistan find themselves either unemployed or out of the labor force, raising significant concerns about the efficient utilization of government resources.

Engineering graduates Left in lurch

Out of a total of 28,920 female engineering graduates in the country, only 28% (8,146) are currently employed. In stark contrast, 20.9% (6,054) are struggling with unemployment, while a staggering 50.9% (14,720) are out of the labor force, not actively seeking employment opportunities.

Urban vs. rural disparities

The analysis also reveals pronounced disparities between urban and rural regions. In urban areas, 24% of female engineering graduates are employed.

But an alarming 59.2% remain out of the labor force. In rural regions, the employment rate for female engineers stands at 43.9%, with fewer opting to stay out of the labor force, at 19.8%, still notably above the national average.

Marriage of education

The research shows a distinct trend among female engineering graduates who remain out of the labor force.

A striking 64.2% of these women are married, suggesting that professional education may be sought primarily to enhance marriage prospects, rather than career aspirations.

Concerns raised by experts

Bilal Gilani, Executive Director at Gallup Pakistan, voiced concern over this disheartening situation. He emphasized the need for dialogue and discussion regarding the issue of well-educated females remaining unemployed or uninterested in working.

Gilani highlighted the substantial government investment in female engineering graduates, urging policymakers to address this pressing matter.

Dr. Umer Khalid, Director of PRIDE, emphasised the need for a policy review in public sector engineering colleges and universities. He argued that seats allocation should prioritize value for money, taking into consideration the current scenario where many female engineering graduates remain out of the labor force.

The alarming statistics are a call to action for Pakistan, urging society and policymakers to address the underutilization of highly trained female engineering talent and to provide more equitable opportunities in the workforce. The nation's investment in these female engineers should not go to waste, considering the challenges faced by a resource-constrained country like Pakistan.