Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This study explores socio-cultural and economic factors affecting women’s political participation in Dir Districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The study was conducted in two districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. A sample of 342 respondents was taken from the three colleges of the District upper dir and Lower dir. An interview schedule was designed having both open and closed ended questions for data collection. The analysis revealed illiteracy, lack of awareness, lack of women’s involvement in decision making process, restricted mobility, early marriages, work burden, gender discrimination, patriarchy, strict purdah system, stereotypes, poverty, unemployment, inflation, and economic dependency of women on men are the main barriers affecting women’s political participation. It is suggested that women’s political participation can be enhanced in Pukhtun society of district dir upper and lower by giving women equal opportunities of education, jobs, and creating flexibility in attitude towards women.