Women Empowerment and Socio-economic Development - Higher

440 Pages·2011·5.42 MB·English

Women Empowerment and Socio-economic
Development: A case study of Rawalpindi Region

A dissertation submitted in
Partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

By

Farhat Jabeen

Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations
Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad
Pakistan 2010

Declaration

I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my individual research and that it has
not been submitted concurrently to any other University for any other degree.

Farhat Jabeen
Dedication

Dedicated to my parents and my sister Musarat Jabeen, who have all given me the time
to complete this thesis.
Table of Contents
Title Page No
Acknowledgements ix
Abbreviation xiii
Glossary xviii

Chapter1: Introduction
1.1. Empowerment 1
1.2. Empowerment design in the Past Time 6
1.3. Literature Review 20
1.4. Statement of the Problem 28
1.5. Justification of the problem 33
1.6. Objectives of Research 37
1.7. Hypothesis 39
1.8. Organizations of study 39
1.9. Research Methodology 42
1.9.1. Field Work 42
1.9.2. Techniques of Statistics Compilation 43
1.9.3. Narratives 43
1.9.4. Secondary Sources of Data 44
1.9.5. Field experience 44
1.9.6. Case Study 45
Endnotes 46
Chapter 2 The Impact of Feminist Theory on the Women’s Development
2.1 Feminist Initiatives 54
2.2. The First Wave 57
2.3. The Second Wave 58
2.4. Liberal feminism 60
2.5. Cultural Feminism 65
2.6. Radical Feminism 67
2.7. Socialist feminism 70
2.8. Cacophonous Feminisms 72
2.9. Postmodern feminist 73
2.10. Marxist Feminism 77
2.11. Feminist IR theory 86
2.12. Conceptualizing Women‘s empowerment and 88
feminism
2.13. Dimensions of Empowerment Model 90
2.14. Economic Dimension 90
2.15. Political Dimension 92
2.16. Social Dimensions 93
2.17. External Intervention 94
2.18. An Analytical Review of Western Thought 95
2.19. Status of Women in Islam 98
Endnotes 114
Chapter 3 Social Empowerment and Economic Dimensions of Women in
Global Context
3.1. Women, Colonialism, and the Capitalist World 125
Economy
3.2. Patriarchy, Housewifization and Colonization 128
3.3. The Making of the Housewife 131
3.4. Divide and Rule: Housewifization International 134
3.5. The Universalization of the Modern Standard of 134
Living and the Ecology
3.6. .” 136
Female contribution and global capitalistic
3.7. Women‘s Work 139
3.8. Women as the Unpaid Workplace 140
3.9. Unemployment trend in the Developed countries in 141
both sexes
3.10. Women Entrepreneurs in the Global Economy 145
3.11. Women and Paucity. 149
3.12. Gender and Development 151
Endnotes 162
Chapter 4 General Description of Rawalpindi Region
4.1. District Rawalpindi 170
4.2. District Attock 178
4.3. District Chakwal 183
4.4. District Jhelum 197
Endnotes 211
Chapter 5 Contemporary women’s Socio-economic development in
Rawalpindi district.
5.1. Women Socio- economic variables in Rawalpindi 216
District
5.2. Women Skill Development Programs in Rawalpindi 239
District
5.3. Province wise Distribution of women Industrial 241
centers
5.4. Problems and Constraints 248
5.5. Women Development in Rawalpindi District 249
5.6. Government Led Initiatives for Gender 258
Empowerment
5.7. Focus on women Development 267
5.8 Completing the necessary documents 271
5.9. (GRAP)Gender Reform Action Plan 275
5.10. Status of Women in accordance in the law formation 279
of Pakistan.
Endnotes 282

Chapter 6 Socio-Economic Development of Women in Rawalpindi District.
6.1. Respondents characteristics and indicators of women 284
development
Few Case Studies of women from various Tehsils of
Rawalpindi district
6.2. Impact of Social Norms on Empowerment 313
6.3. Negligent role in decision making 314
6.4. Cultural constraints on women‘s role 314
6.5. Lack of Legal Security 315
6.6. Micro-Financing to Uplift Economic Status 316
6.7. Resistance for divorce women in enforcing their right 317
6.8. Constant Struggle for Survival 318
6.9. Motivation for new perspectives 319
Chapter 7 Conclusion and Policy Implications
7.1. Major findings of the study 323
7.2. Policy implications 328
7.3. Recommendations 334
7.3.1. Endorsement of Women‘s Contribution in labour 334
market.
7.3.2. Rising up the Standard of Health Facility 339
7.3.3. Opening Girls Schools. 340
7.3.4. Promotion of Micro-Credit facilities for women. 340
7.3.5. Other Measures 342
Endnotes 349
Appendix I Text of the interviews of Parliamentarians
Fauzia Wahaab Member National Assembly 350
Dr Saeeda Iqbal Member Senate Pakistan 354
Fauzia Farkh-u- Zaman Member Senate Pakistan 358
Appendix ii Interviewing Schedule 361
Appendix iii Interviewing guide for case studies 367
Appendix iv Case Study 368
Appendix V Tables 369

List of Tables 381
List of Figures 384
Bibliography 386
Acknowledgement
First and foremost I am thankful to Allah Almighty, Who gave me strength,
determination and stamina to analyze the vicissitudes in pursuit of my research and
study.
I am grateful to my Supervisor Professor Dr Lubna Abid Ali who gave me
invaluable advice, help and encouragement. Her insight will always be a source of
motivation to me as her extensive knowledge always impressed me. This resulted in
several additions and deletions in the original text. However, I accomplished this laborious
work with her support otherwise I would not have been able to achieve my target. Some of
the chapters were rewritten in the light of her valuable suggestions.
Her efficacy and efficiency in the subject inspired me to pursue my work
tirelessly. It was due to her persistence that I was able to meet my deadlines.. In a few
words, she is a great scholar and a great human being, full of wisdom and originality. She
has always been a source of inspiration to me as with her help, blessings and
encouragement I have been able to complete this dissertation. I would like to add a very
special note for her as with her constant support, guidance, whole hearted and sincere
involvement. I was able to produce an original research.
I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the study visit of Europe,
(Belgium). My objectives of research were to conduct analysis on the basis of
comparatively. To understand diversity of primary data visited various libraries of
Belgium.1
Study Visit of Europe no doubt broadened my vision of research extent. It was a
personal traveling experience for research so I faced many problems due to lack of
funding. During this stay I participated in various academic activities.2
As far as data collection in Pakistan was concerned I faced social and cultural
implications and constraints. In the research especially I faced the main problem of
perceiving women as not capable and not meant for the formal work. Under this view I
was degraded and insulted by a few people and departments. My research objectives took
me to the locations which were not easily approachable.
ix
During this period my feet got injured. However, I proceeded to my work
unhindered by these obstacles. In these hard times my sister would drive me to distant
places. I recall a horrible day in my life during my research when I was going to IRI
(International Research Institute) Islamabad. On my way back at 7o‘clock in evening
suddenly I was caught in a storm , I was waiting for a bus at the bus stop all alone in the
darkness shivering with cold and fear but there was no transport in sight. After waiting for
a considerable time I called my sister to pick me up. There were practical obstacles in my
life in the form of social norms and constraints for women to cover distant places.
In this male dominated society as female I faced various troubles. There were practical
implications and obstacles in my life in the form of social norms and constraints.
Anyhow, I completed the field survey in different Tehsils successfully, but I
could not forget the visit of Kotli Sattian (hill area), there were serious vertical slopes,
rock crawls, deep ravines, tricky log crossings and impossible descents but it was mine for
the taking. I went there for the purpose of an interview, I returned back at night 9 o‘ clock
with DO (district officer) women in her office. 10.30 I reached my home; my parents were
worried about me. It was one event otherwise various obstacles in my way during field
research and at various places I had been insulted for sake of the collection of data.
While trying to reach elite women, especially parliamentarians, I met with a
discouraging attitude. However, finally I succeeded in getting an appointment from only
three senators for discussion on women issues. I am thankful to all the senators who took
time out of their busy schedule to bear me for long discussions on gender perspective in
governance policy and analysis.
I would like to pay special thanks to Mr. Adian English language professor from
Belgium who helped me in proof reading in one chapter. My deepest thanks and regards
also go to my old parents. I am grateful to all those who assisted me during my research.
My thanks are also due to all government departments and libraries and some NGOs and
social welfare departments of Punjab, and many other think tanks, libraries who provided
me help and guidance to achieve my target.
I can never thank enough those women who spared their time out for giving to
interview and share with me their views. I would like to thank profoundly handicapped
x