ROLE OF WOMEN IN INFORMAL ECONOMIC SECTOR: A CASE STUDY OF BAGRI COMMUNITY OF DISTRICT KHAIRPUR

Abstract

This research venture is attempted to address the role of women in informal economic sector with particular emphasis on the women of Bagri community in district Khairpur, Sindh. The research addresses the economic, social, religious and cultural discrimination of the Bagri Women in the informal economic sector in Khairpur Sindh. This thesis dissertation significantly focusses on the problems and challenges of the Hindu (Bagri) women in the rural areas, markets, bazars of the informal economic sector of the District Khairpur Sindh Pakistan. In Khairpur, Hindu (Bagri) working women in the informal economic sector is one of the most neglected research areas. This research gap has been focused of the study. Due to research limitations and shortage of time in person in-depth interviews were conducted in the district Khairpur and data of this study was analyzed using the thematic analysis. The key findings of this study are suggested that gender division of labor and exploitation of Bagri women worker is prevalent in the areas of Khairpur. The study highlights how systematically Bagri women are exploited by the capitalist, landowners and contractors in the informal economic sector. In this study Structuralism theory is selected as the main theoretical frame work of this research. The main aim of this research is to highlight how women of the Bagri community facing the violence, economic exploitations, social and cultural discriminations on the base of gender, caste and religion in the informal economic sector of the district Khairpur. The key findings of this research suggest that women of Bagri community are living in the miserable and deportable condition in the Khairpur. In the last there is a road map and recommendations are highlighted in this study as Government, NGOs and, policy makers should introduce DRSML QAU ix the gender based friendly environment and workplace security for the Bagri women worker in the informal economic sector in Khairpur Sindh. Key terms: Bagri Women, Structuralism, informal economic sector, economic exploitation.