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e within the same age group and with the same educational attainment may reflect the difference in labor force experience (Levine and Moock, 1884).

Methodology

The primary method used for this research paper was review and analysis of the secondary data. During the research process, to measure the problems women workers, about 40 women workers from different professions and categories in public and private sector were interviewed and their perceptions and problems were incorporated in the paper. The working environment at some work places where women were working was physically observed and the facilities provided to them were examined. The relevant government laws and regulations such as leave rules related to pregnancy, labor laws and industrial policy were also studied.

Female labor force in South Asia

The countries in South Asia share cultural, social and economic similarities and a comparative analysis of issues related to female participation in their labor force. It can help to understand the gender imbalance in workforce in Pakistan. The gender composition of Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are examined to draw a comparison.

Bangladesh: Being a developing nation, Bangladesh is facing a challenge to improve its economic and demographic prospects through national and international efforts. Its per capita income in 2006 was US$1400 (adjusted by purchasing power parity) compared to the world average of $10,200. The total population of Bangladesh is 153 million with the growth rate of 2.2 per year. The adult literacy rate is 48 % and female literacy rate is 40 % (Policy Paper 2008).

Total labor force of Bangladesh is 51 million, including 15 million females. The rural labor force stands at 38 million, with female workers estimated to be 10 million. This means that Agriculture sector is the largest employer for both males and females. The female workforce has increased at a faster pace compared to the male workforce due to a number of government initiatives and social factors (Policy Paper 2008).

Garment industry contributes about three quarters of Bangladesh’s export earnings, which began attracting foreign investors in the 1980s due to cheap labor and low conversion cost. The industry employs more than 3 million workers, 90% of whom are women. This unusually high ratio of females in workforce of garment industry is attributed to a number of factors, such as government incentives to the industry, preference of the foreign investors to female workers and priority given by the government in building capacity of female workers. Being a Muslim country, the female workers prefer a workplace where they can have privacy and secure environment. The garment industry provided an ideal opportunity to the women in Bangladesh and suitable policy framework adopted and the government helped to set the requisite trends.

India: India having the population of 1,162 million with population growth rate of 1.4%. Population below income poverty line is 28.6%. Adult literacy rate in India is 61%, whereas female literacy rate is 67%. Total workforce of India stands at 516 million, which is about 45 % of its population. India is the world's twelfth largest economy at market exchange rates and the fourth largest in purchasing power parity (South Asian Media Net).

The female labor