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This paper aims to provide empirical evidence of the role of Social Entrepreneurship (SE) in bridging the Gender Gap. The unprecedented rise in the social and economic issues in developing countries, like Pakistan, has fostered efforts to achieve a new organizational model under SE to counter the said issues. SE is a new way of offering an innovative and creative solution to the problems of societies. In this paper, the authors have examined the role of SE in overcoming the GG in society, which is otherwise left unaddressed. A qualitative study is conducted by adopting the hermeneutic view of reality. The data is collected by conducting a semi-structured interview with social entrepreneurs working in Pakistan. For validating the findings, the secondary source of data is collected from the published reports by the British Council consulting on the role of SE in Pakistan. Findings revealed that SE is contributing to reducing the GG in Pakistan through increased women empowerment and employment. It is helping to create more opportunities for women in the field and overcoming the social issues of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degraded urban environments disproportionately affect marginalized populations, and especially impoverished women in South Asia's informal settlements, where climate change vulnerabilities and gender inequalities are extreme. A comparative analysis was conducted of three neighboring countries, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where urban environments, climate risks, and gender relations exhibit significant variances. With original survey data from 12 informal settlements across New Delhi, Dhaka, Islamabad, and Lahore, it was found that women are less empowered than men in all three countries, but their determinants related to environmental degradation and climate change vary. Qualitative data from key informants reveals several explanatory mechanisms of observed differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to examine the women empowerment in rural areas of Punjab, Pakistan. The current paper contributes to the literature by presenting the empirical evidence of women empowerment in agriculture. Women empowerment in agriculture index (WEAI) was used for measuring women empowerment of the 300 rural households. Primary data were collected from three (3) districts of the Punjab province. The quantitative data analyzed by using appropriate statistical techniques. The results of the study showed disempowerment of women in agriculture with varying degree in all three selected regions of Punjab. The WEAI results for the Central Punjab (Jhang) is 0.034. It is the average weighted score of the five empowerment domains (5DE) value of sub-index is 0.689 and the Gender parity index (GPI) sub-index value of 0.686. Results for South Punjab (D.G.Khan) is 0.578. The weighted score of the sub-index value of 5DE is 0.498 and the sub-index value of GPI is 0.782, and for North Punjab (Chakwal) is 0.784 and the average weighted score of the sub-index value of 5DE is 0.745 and the sub-index value of GPI is 0.598. The empowerment gap between men and women in the same household is relatively momentous at 26.9 and 36.9% in Central and South Punjab but less significant in North Punjab at 53.8%. A strong correlation between age of the household, education and empowerment was found. Lack of control over income and lack of control over resources are found as the domains that contribute most to women disempowerment. Lack of leadership in community and lack of availability of time domains that contribute most to men disempowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender and Development is a central priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). International development agencies provide adequate financial support through development/humanitarian projects to achieve specific targets related to gender equality globally. Pakistan also aims to alleviate poverty and improve the status of women in society. In this context, the ‘Banzir Income Support Program’ (BISP) has launched various cash grant programs for the poorest families in Pakistan. Women are the direct beneficiaries, but the program also produces indirect beneficiaries including male family members. The program managers believe that reduction in poverty will indirectly improve women's position within families and they will gain financial and social empowerment. How does the BISP's support enable women to challenge traditional stereotypes toward their financial and social empowerment? And in which dimension does BISP's support bring change in gender relations within the family? These are the questions addressed in the current research. A mixed-methods approach is adopted to conduct this study – both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to collect and analyze data, which was collected in two phases. Initially, secondary data is accessed from three tehsil offices of the Multan district. To follow up, in-depth interviews are conducted with two Assistant Directors of the BISP. The findings reveal that although the BISP support has significantly increased familial income, women appear only as indirect beneficiaries of the program. They pass on allocated funds to their male family members or nominate them as active business partners. In a few cases, women have started their own businesses. Several factors influence women's decisions while selecting business options under “individually-led” or “female-male” partnership models. Newly started enterprises have increased family income dramatically, although this does not alter the patriarchal division of labour within families nor does it empower women financially as well as socially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of education in Pakistani women's empowerment and self-determination. According to the author, the elements of women's empowerment include the ability to make decisions, access to resources, and free mobility. It is suggested that education offers women increased self-confidence and awareness of gender equity, as well as a better chance at financial independence. Other topics include Muslim identity and gender relations within families.