Determinants of Women Empowerment in Pakistan: Exploring New Dimensions From PSLM (2013-14)

Abstract

Women empowerment means the authority provided to women in order to challenge any situation. This study aims to identifying the determinants of women empowerment and decision making. The data was collected from Pakistan Social & Living Standard Measurement Survey (PSLM), the Federal Bureau of Statistics, and Government of Pakistan 2013-14 by using some proxies obtainable in the data set. Here the researchers used Logistic Regression model to examine the determinants of women empowerment. Secondary data was obtained from various books, articles, journals, officially published data, factual accounts, and research work of researchers. The actual sample contains data from PSLM (from the ninth round of surveys conducted till June 2015). The descriptive statistics show the determinants which affect women’s decision making in the fields of employment and education. These factors are marital status, level of education, age factor, employment status, wealth quintiles, regions, and provinces. Keywords: Determinants, Women, Empowerment, PSLM

Women Empowerment in Pakistan: Multilevel Measurements, Spatial Differences, and Contributing Factors

“…Each study has approved its positive association with women empowerment. A woman gets more and more education, she becomes aware of her rights, due to which she becomes more empowered (Baig, Nusrat, & Bano, 2020;Chaudhry & Nosheen, 2009;Faridi, Chaudhry, & Anwar, 2009;Haleem, Nabi, & Hussain, 2021;Sanawar, Islam, Majumder, & Misu, 2016;Shetty & Hans, 2015;Mariam A Soharwardi & Ahmad, 2020;Upadhye & Madan, 2012;Varghese, 2011). Hence, in the light of previous literature, we formulate our first hypothesis and assume that: H1: Education has a positive effect on women empowerment in the context of Pakistan Wealth status also matters in the empowerment of women.…”

“…If a woman is financially strong, she can take decisions about her life, and her living standard will also improve. Many researchers have used household wealth as a determinant in studies regarding women's empowerment (Abbas, Isaac, Zia, Zakar, & Fischer, 2021;Haleem et al, 2021;Mariam A Soharwardi & Ahmad, 2020;Varghese, 2011). The previous literature guides us in formulating research hypotheses relating to wealth and women's empowerment: H2: Household's wealth status has a positive effect on women empowerment in the context of Pakistan Women's age is also an important factor in determining women empowerment.…”

“…Many studies have shown that as women age increases, she becomes more empowered. She takes part in decisions and also gains importance (Abbas et al, 2021;Awan & Naqvi, 2016;Baig et al, 2020;Batool, Rehman, & Ashagar, 2020;Faridi et al, 2009;Haleem et al, 2021;Kazembe, 2020;R. E. A. Khan & Noreen, 2012;Menon & Sharma, 2020;Nayak & Mahanta, 2009;Niaz & Iqbal, 2019;Upadhye & Madan, 2012).…”

“…The area in which a woman is living has a significant impact on her demographic and economic status. Most studies have proved that women living in rural areas are less empowered than those living in urban areas (Haleem et al, 2021;Kazembe, 2020;Mahmood, 2002;Nayak & Mahanta, 2009;Paul et al, 2016). At the same time, some studies have predicted that women in rural areas are more empowered (Sanawar et al, 2016).…”

“…Different researchers have taken Husband education as an independent variable to determine the level of women empowerment. Their work has shown a positive association with women empowerment (Baig et al, 2020;Chaudhry & Nosheen, 2009;Faridi et al, 2009;Haleem et al, 2021;Sanawar et al, 2016;Shetty & Hans, 2015;Mariam A Soharwardi & Ahmad, 2020;Upadhye & Madan, 2012;Varghese, 2011). Keeping in view the prime importance of education of her own as well as of her husband, the following research hypothesis seems appropriate: H8: Educational status of her husband has a positive effect on the empowerment status of a woman in Pakistan…”