Female Education and Social Change: Changing Perceptions of Women's Roles in Society in the High Mountains of Northern Pakistan

Abstract

This article investigates the emergence of female education and its social impacts in a remote and male-dominated mountain community through a case study of Nagar District in northern Pakistan. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 24 women from different educational backgrounds and 15 selected male informants, the study reveals a notable increase in educational opportunities for girls and young women within a relatively short time span, and shows how these changes have affected local perceptions of women's social roles. While there are mixed opinions about the usefulness of education for girls-some find that educated women are better housewives and mothers, while others highlight career opportunities for women-female education has clearly contributed to an increase in self-determination of women. Young women now marry later and have fewer children, parents give their daughters more freedom, and education has contributed to an increase in female mobility and to a more confident and visible role of women in community life. While other aspects of social change also play critical roles, this study shows that female education is one important element in the development of a more equitable society in mountains and elsewhere.

Perceptions of Female Students Regarding Male Student Attitudes at Higher Educational Institutions

“…Lack of economic means, the burden of home religious misinterpretations, and a lack of educational resources are obstacles to women's empowerment and education in northern Pakistan (Voigt, 2020). Shah (2015) emphasizes…”

“…Women who want to pursue higher education encounter many obstacles, including the pressure of household duties, job harassment, sociocultural misunderstandings, and financial limitations. (Voigt, 2020) Women's education and empowerment in northern Pakistan are hampered by a lack of economic resources, the burden of household religious misinterpretations, and a lack of educational resources. (Maarit liljergren, 2002).…”

Poverty and Women's Access in Higher Education: Dynamics, Prospects, Shared Choices of Liman-Benawi Women Education

“…The understanding and practice of gender equality in education allow women to have new roles and integrate them with old roles in the domestic sphere (Khurshid, 2016). Important changes in educational attainment for women, who are widely discriminated against, are changing public perceptions of gender roles in a better direction (Voigt & Spies, 2020). A transformation process like this requires the commitment and persistence of all parties, especially women, to reconstruct equality.…”

“…The public does not immediately obtain and realise this shift because awareness of equality requires a more dynamic interpretation and dialogue. Changing local perceptions of women's social roles towards more equitable involvement of women and young women in education is an important improvement in women's education (Voigt & Spies, 2020).…”

Influence of Gender Discrimination on Work Performance of Female Graduates in Rural Areas of Hyderabad District

“…Consequently, women face threatening problems when it comes to attaining the opportunities which match their skills. Moreover, there is a visible difference between the urban and rural areas of Sindh, which deteriorates the existing inequalities in every sphere of the life whether it is a living style or working style (Sadaquat & Sheikh, 2011;Khan et al, 2018;Voigt & Spies, 2020;Zahidie et al, 2011). Rural families often struggle against the strongly deep-rooted gender related stereotypes, which restrict females' involvement in the labor sector and sustain inequalities.…”