Disabilities Among Adult Women and Men in Pakistan

This blog aims to investigate the percentage of de facto female and male household members aged 15 and up who have difficulty functioning in one or more than one domain based on their background characteristics. The data for this article was obtained by Open Data Pakistan from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) 2019.

The figures below show that, irrespective of the type of disability they had, a greater proportion of adult men and women reported having no formal education. Additionally, fewer adult men and women with disabilities reported completing higher or even secondary education. We must uncover the underlying causes of the comparatively low number of disabled individuals who reported completing secondary or higher education, as well as the higher percentage who reported never attending school. Educationists must investigate whether this is the case because (i) Pakistan allocates and provides fewer resources to accommodate students with disabilities, especially in secondary and higher education institutions, (ii) Individuals with disabilities themselves choose not to enroll in school, perhaps out of fear of being judged, or bullied or (iii) Due to some other reason.

A higher percentage of adult men and women with disabilities reported being divorced or widowed. This raises certain questions that warrant more research:

Is there a significant divorce rate among people who become disabled after marriage? What about individuals who already have disabilities when they get married? Is having a disability a cause for divorce?

Is a higher widowed rate a result of people with disabilities getting married off to individuals who are not deemed suitable life partners due to age or health concerns?

Except for women who had difficulty climbing, walking, or having some difficulty, rural Pakistanis reported a higher rate of disability than urban dwellers. Adults with disabilities in rural areas may face additional challenges than those in urban areas due to factors such as lower socioeconomic status, limited transportation, and limited access to healthcare and education. These obstacles may limit individuals' ability to maintain and improve the quality of their lives and health. Thus, improving accessibility and inclusivity in rural areas for people with disabilities can benefit their overall health and well-being.

The prevalence of individuals with disabilities is higher among those in the lowest, second, and middle-income quintiles, while it is lower among those who belong to the wealthiest class. This disparity can be attributed to a variety of factors, including lower-income individuals' limited access to healthcare, which results in a higher incidence of untreated or undiagnosed disabilities. Furthermore, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face barriers to quality education, exacerbating the impact of disabilities.

Using data visualizations, this article advocates for a more inclusive and adaptive approach to disability in Pakistan. According to the statistics, adults with disabilities are more likely to attain lower levels of education, with a significant number only achieving primary education. Furthermore, the percentage of disability is significantly higher in rural areas and among those in the lowest wealth quintile. The data also reveals that people with disabilities have higher rates of being divorced and being widowed, which highlights the additional societal issues they confront. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive policies targeted at individuals with disabilities to enhance access to healthcare, inclusive education, and solid social support networks. By addressing these disparities through targeted interventions, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to achieve higher educational attainment, enjoy stable personal relationships, and experience an improved quality of life.

By Sarah Maham