In Pakistan, being a Christian often means navigating multiple layers of marginalization that intersect across faith, class, and gender. Intersectionality—a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw—refers to how different forms of discrimination overlap and create unique challenges for individuals who belong to more than one marginalized group. For Pakistan’s Christians, their experience of marginalization is not just about religious minority status, but about how religion intersects with other forms of disadvantage, such as socioeconomic class and gender.
Many Christians find themselves working in low-paying, stigmatized professions—most notably in sanitation. This is not a coincidence but the legacy of a long-standing association between caste, class, and certain jobs, with Christians disproportionately filling roles that are seen as menial. Their visibility in such roles paradoxically makes them invisible in the broader social and political landscape, where opportunities for upward mobility and representation remain scarce.
Christian women face additional challenges, as gender-based discrimination intersects with religious and economic marginalization. For some, this has meant being targeted in ways that are difficult to address through existing legal and social frameworks, creating a double bind that limits their safety and autonomy.
Meanwhile, laws surrounding religious identity, particularly those that govern speech and conduct related to religion, create a precarious environment for Christians. Accusations, whether genuine or not, can have far-reaching consequences. This atmosphere of caution often forces Christians to navigate public life with heightened sensitivity, mindful of the unspoken boundaries that surround them.
Despite these intersecting challenges, Pakistan’s Christians continue to live with quiet resilience, finding ways to maintain their faith and community while navigating the unique pressures placed upon them. Their experience underscores the complex reality of being a minority in a landscape where multiple forms of disadvantage intertwine.
