ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has said that women are central to the strength and progress of Pakistan and, despite numerous challenges, they continue to contribute across every sphere of economic, social and civic life with resilience and determination.
In his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday, the chief justice said women’s leadership and vision continue to shape both the present and the future of the country.
He said that the day was not only meant to recognise the contributions of women but also to reaffirm the constitutional commitment to ensuring dignity, justice and a safe environment for women across Pakistan. Justice Afridi noted that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.
“These guarantees are not merely aspirational; they are binding constitutional obligations that require all public institutions — particularly the courts as custodians of the Constitution — to actively protect women and ensure the practical enforcement of their rights,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that despite these constitutional protections, many women in Pakistan still face significant obstacles when seeking justice.
He pointed out that deeply entrenched social norms, along with certain gaps in legal processes, often make the justice system intimidating and difficult to access for women. In many cases, women face bias, inadequate institutional support, and fear of social stigma or retaliation.
