Both India and Pakistan have done something that the United States has never accomplished—each nation has elected a woman as its political leader. Indira Gandhi served as prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. Benazir Bhutto was Pakistan’s prime minister from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. In addition to these heads of state, women have been elected and appointed to many other government positions in both nations.

However, despite this record and the fact that the constitutions of both nations include provisions banning gender-based discrimination, human rights organizations have criticized the general performance of both nations in protecting women’s rights. Women’s rights in Pakistan, with its 97 percent Muslim population, have been impeded by tribal and Islamic attitudes and customs. For example, in Pakistan most women...