Role of Gender Asset Ownership and Poverty in Determining Women Empowerment: A Village-based Study in South Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of women's empowerment in the agriculture sector of South Punjab, Pakistan, using a cross-sectional analysis. Specifically, the study aims to identify the socio-demographic and economic factors that promote or hinder women's empowerment in this sector, to inform policies and programs that can support gender equality in the region. To estimate the results, we are utilizing data from 900 households located in the Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan divisions of South Punjab Province in Pakistan in 2022 while employing the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method for analysis. The study also explored the impact of empowerment on women's socio-demographics, economic status, and well-being. The study found that women's empowerment in South Punjab is influenced by a range of factors, including age, marital status, education, income, poverty, and asset ownership prevalence. The study focuses on improving women's education, income, and access to credit, as these factors are found to positively impact women's empowerment in the agriculture sector of South Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, policies that promote women's participation in decision-making at the household and community levels can contribute to greater gender equality in the region.