SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPEDIMENTS TO WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT IN PESHAWAR, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

Pakistan stands among the worst performers when it comes to the equal opportunities for women. The
Sustainable Development Goals (2015-30) have rightly prioritized women’s empowerment to provide them
with equal opportunities. The empowerment of women brings about significant positive changes in the
socio-economic aspects of the family and women’s status. The patriarchal nature, socio-cultural conditions
and feudalistic mode of fabrication in Pakistani society has always kept women marginalized and have
restricted them to participate along-with men in communal activities. This study was conducted in
Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At the first stage, a purposeful sampling technique was applied, and then
convenience sampling was used for final data collection. The data was collected through a semi-structured
interview guide, Students, government staff and employees of private organizations were involved. The
study shows that socio-cultural factors have significant implications for the development of gender and
empowerment of women.
Keywords: women development, women empowerment, culture and religion, women and culture