Women Empowerment in Gilgit-Baltistan

Abstract

This study entitled “Women Empowerment in Gilgit Baltistan: A case study of GBRSP Endeavors” is meant to explore the changes in gender role and responsibilities brought by income generating activities among women in Danyore and Oshikhandass. This study carried three objectives. First objective is to figure out the perception of women regarding women empowerment. Second objective is to explore in-depth into the projects of GBRSP and women’s participation in these projects and final objective is regarding exploration of the changes in gender role and responsibilities in household. This study has been conducted while using qualitative paradigm. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques have been used, and the sample size of this study was 35. This study has been conducted between June to September 2020. The locale of this study was Danyore and Oshikhandass. These are two villages in Gilgit district, and they are at 9 kilometers distance from each other. Women perceived empowerment as essential factor for addressing their issues and for eliminating discrimination and prejudice against them. Empowerment was categorized into four types, educational empowerment, social empowerment, psychological empowerment, and economic empowerment. The projects of Gilgit Baltistan rural Support programs enhance the level of satisfaction and brought prosperity among women. These projects redeemed the role and responsibilities of women in the household. Women shifted their concerns to those responsibilities which were associated with men. So, in this study the researcher has tried to figure out the multiple dimensions of women empowerment.