The UK government has rejected the recommendations suggested by the Misogyny In Music report to improve gender equality in the music industry, much to the disappointment of music industry figures. The report, published in January, found that women were underrepresented in key roles across the industry, that sexual harassment and abuse was common, and that many women did not report the incidents as they worried about the detrimental impact on their careers.
The Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of child care leave (CCL) for women’s employment, but the government needs to do more to support women in the workforce. The Periodic Labour Force Survey Report 2022-23 shows that the female labour force participation rate is increasing, but there are still too few provisions to ensure that women can smoothly balance work and family responsibilities. Women carry a disproportionate burden of care responsibilities, which can lead them to drop out of the workforce or take a hit in their professional growth. Progressive legislation is essential to plug the gaps, but other aspects need to be addressed as well, such as investing in affordable and specialized child and elder care infrastructure and fostering a gender-neutral approach to care work.
In a move to provide safe and affordable transport options for women, the Sindh government has announced a two-month fare exemption for female passengers on Karachi’s Pink Bus Service. The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance public transportation services for women, including the launch of a women-only People’s Bus Service in Mirpurkhas.
