Empowering women : NGOs project impacts in Baluchistan-Pakistan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a select sample of women's economic empowerment projects, conducted by NGOs, on women's status in the province of Baluchistan, Pakistan. For this purpose three NGOs were selected, Water Environment and Sanitation Society (WESS), Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) and Baluchistan Rural Support Program (BRSP). Data were collected from those areas of Baluchistan where these NGOs were implementing their economic empowerment projects. The study utilized a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach and included in-depth and survey interviews. In the first phase 6 in-depth interviews were conducted with managers from three NGOs. In the second phase, the survey interviewed was carried out with 60 women participants of three projects, while follow-up in-depth interviews were conducted with 6 women participants selected from those already surveyed. Thematic analysis was used in application to both the quantitative and the qualitative research data. A consideration of theories of patriarchy informs this thesis, but in the case of Baluchistan, patriarchal control over women is exacerbated, in the context of political instability and the degradation of infrastructure to pattern women's empowerment (and disempowerment). Therefore, the theory of intersectionality is used, to aid in understanding the effect of those intersecting factors on women's status. The argument advanced is that these projects have certainly been effective in bringing little differences to women's lives. The strategies employed by NGOs were effective in so far as they enabled women's participation. Women achieved the status of earning-member at home and were involved in the decision making of matters pertaining to home and children. They also attained the self-confidence, enhanced their social networking and obtained a sense of ownership towards the resources they received from the projects. It must be noted, however, that even after participating in the projects, women were confined by patriarchal restrictions as most of them were restricted to their homes. The sense of empowerment achieved by women depended not only on the NGOs efforts, but was also the result of women's own understanding of their situation and self-determination. This can be done when women acknowledge their weaknesses in the prevailing social structure, and know how to use their strengths and available opportunities to make their own way towards empowerment.

Date of Award	2016
Original language	English