Empowering Women Leadership through Educational Initiatives, policies & programs in Punjab, Pakistan for sustainable growth

Empowering women leadership has been an apprehension of concern for decades. Various educational policies, programs and initiatives have been undertaken by the government of Pakistan to give an insight on female education and... [ view full abstract ]

Empowering women leadership has been an apprehension of concern for decades. Various educational policies, programs and initiatives have been undertaken by the government of Pakistan to give an insight on female education and their rights at home, at work, and in society to make them strong citizens culturally, socially, politically, psychologically and economically. The study was conducted to explore, and analyze these initiatives and programs framed for women leadership and Empowerment in Pakistan and the practices carried out by the Government at National level and in Global context of  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030). The present research was a survey study and descriptive in nature. A survey was conducted to collect data from the marginalized rural areas of South Punjab, Pakistan. Participants of the survey were comprised of rural women from South Punjab. Data was  collected by  five point likert scale questionnaire and unstructured interviews . Survey revealed that Feudal system, ignorance of  remote areas, unawareness of rights, declined assistances for higher education, patriarchal society and cultural stereotypic norms of marginalized areas were a major logjam in carrying out these programs. The key findings of the study revealed that Educational programs and initiatives were implemented at National level but were not executed properly to marginalized stricken areas especially for the women belonged to these peripheral areas. Study exposed that there was a lack of political will and commitment gap at the execution level of these programs for women empowerment and leadership. At national level Practices were found only in verbatim. Study unfolds that practical approach of these programs was a “top to bottom approach” that is from provincial to district level and from district to tehsil council level. It was strongly recommended that a “bottom up approach” is an essential practice to adopt. Dynamic political will and sturdy commitment is vigorously required by Government and its stakeholders so that these programs and initiatives should be properly executed to make rural women well educated, self-supportive and independent in all spheres of life as empowered leaders.

Key words: Women Empowerment and leadership, Educational programs & initiatives Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 2030, Bottom up approach