Sociocultural Hurdles and Opportunities: A Descriptive Study of Working Women in Larkana District
Abstract
This study examines the socio-cultural barriers and opportunities faced by working women in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan, as well as their socio-economic empowerment. The research has three main objectives: to assess the socio-cultural barriers faced by working women in the district; to identify the key employment opportunities available to them; and to assess the resilience and socio-economic empowerment achieved through employment. A quantitative descriptive research methodology was used to collect data, in which information was obtained from 150 working women through purposive sampling to ensure representation of different social and professional backgrounds. The participants were asked to fill out closed-ended questionnaires, and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in SPSS, while ethical principles such as confidentiality and anonymity were fully adhered to during the research. The findings show that while unequal treatment in the workplace was not generally considered a major barrier, women face several significant issues that limit their participation in the workforce. These include domestic responsibilities, unsafe work environments, cultural values, social expectations, traditional gender roles, family criticism, and insufficient support from family. Despite these hurdles, employment plays a significant positive role in women’s confidence, self-esteem, financial independence, decision-making ability, and social resilience. The research highlights key points at the practical and policy levels, including creating secure and flexible work opportunities, providing better access to education and training, increasing leadership opportunities, and creating supportive environmental conditions in the family, community, and workplace. Five key recommendations have been made in light of the research findings: Promote awareness and education about gender stereotypes; Strengthen family and community support; Ensure safe workplaces for women; Increase employment and leadership opportunities; and provide skill development programs and introduce flexible working hours.
References
Amjad, S., Bughio, A., & Umar, R. (2024). Women Empowerment in Rural Sindh: A Case Study of Pano Aqil, Pakistan. Global Sociological Review Учредители: Humanity Only-HO, 9, 1-12.
André, C., Causa, O., Soldani, E., Sutherland, D., & Unsal, F. (2023). Promoting gender equality to strengthen economic growth and resilience. Documents de travail du Département des Affaires économiques de l’OCDE.
Beghini, V., Cattaneo, U., & Pozzan, E. (2019). A quantum leap for gender equality: For a better future of work for all. ILO.
Cardazone, G., Cooper, M., Edwards, B., Kügele, S., Robinson, N., & Yee, L. (2022). Women in the Workplace 2022. PDF file (San Francisco and New York: LeanIn. Org and McKinsey.
Ellis, F. (2000). Rural livelihoods and diversity in developing countries. Oxford University Press.
Federation, M. E. & International Labour Organization (ILO). (2019). Business Responsibility on Preventing and Addressing Forced Labour in Malaysia: A Must-Read Guide for Malaysian Employers.
Fitzgerald, L. F., Swan, S., & Magley, V. J. (1997). But was it really sexual harassment?: Legal, behavioral, and psychological definitions of the workplace victimization of women.
Gilal, F. N., Randhawa, M., Soalngi, T., Magsi, I. (2024). Social Hurdles for Rural Women to Participate in Economic Development Activities. Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 5(1): 50-57.
Ishak, M. S., Sarkowi, A., Ahmi, A., Abdulrauf-Salau, A., & Memon, S. (2023). Global research trends in school bullying: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 13(1), 91-105.
Ismail, S., Guriro, S., & Lakho, M. K. (2020). Acid violence in Pakistan: A study on women victims of acid attacks in Karachi. Global Social Sciences Review, 5(3), 326-332.
Javed, S., Syed, J., & Turner, R. (2018). Gender, employment and careers in Pakistan. In Research handbook of diversity and careers (pp. 324-340). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Kabeer, N. (1999). Resources, agency, achievements: Reflections on the measurement of women’s empowerment. Development and change, 30(3), 435-464.
Kabeer, N. (2016). Gender equality, economic growth, and women’s agency: The “endless variety” and “monotonous similarity” of patriarchal constraints. Feminist economics, 22(1), 295-321.
Kandiyoti, D. (1988). Bargaining with patriarchy. Gender & society, 2(3), 274-290.
Khan, N., Khurshid, C. M. R., Akhtar, C. M. N., Saeed, S., & Shahzad, S. (2025). Women Empowerment in Pakistan: Progress, Barriers, and Policy Review. Social Science Review Archives, 3(4), 3453-3464.
Khaskheli, W. A., Qureshi, J. A., & Memon, N. (2024). Influence of Gender Discrimination on Work Performance of Female Graduates in Rural Areas of Hyderabad District. Progressive Research Journal of Arts and Humanities, 6(1), 38-57.
Magsi, I., & Mujahid, N. (2024). Rural Women’s Constraints of Socioeconomics and Income-Generating Activities: The Case of Larkana District. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 5(2), 222-231.
Mahmood, A., & Sultan, M. (2006). National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS)(Pakistan), and Macro International Inc. Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, 7(2), 123-45.
Majok, A. (2024). The challenges of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the role of human resources in promoting these values. [Dissertation, LAB University of Applied Sciences]. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024120533243
Mumtaz, K., & Shaheed, F. (1987). Women of Pakistan: Two steps forward, one step back?. Zed Books [The University of Virginia].
OECD. Publishing. (2017). The Pursuit of Gender Equality-An Uphill Battle. OECD Publishing.
Panhwar, G., Tahir, B. F., & Tunio, S. (2021). Female socio-economic conditions and feminization of poverty in rural areas of district Larkana of Sindh, Pakistan. Progressive Research Journal of Arts and Humanities, 3(2), 76-88.
Sathar, Z. A., & Kazi, S. (2000). Women’s autonomy in the context of rural Pakistan. The Pakistan Development Review, 89-110.
Shah, S., Khurram, S., & Mehrdin, N. (2023). Gender Inequality in the Workplace: Exploring the Persistence of The Gender Pay Gap. Journal of Namibian Studies, 38.
Sikander, M., & Bashir, A. (2025). A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges Faced by Female in Higher Education in South Punjab. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(4), 514-526.
Strand, A., Hatlebakk, M., Wimpelmann, T., & Wardak, M. (2022). Community-Driven Development or community-based development?. CMI Report, 2022(3).
Women, U. N. (2019). Progress of the world’s women 2019–2020. UN Women.
Women, U. N. (2020). Empowering women at work: Trade union policies and practices for gender equality.
Work, I. C. (2018). Care Jobs for the Future of Decent Work. Geneva: International Labour Organization.
