Being a Muslim working woman

This chapter assesses the experiences of Pakistani female diaspora in Australia with reference to its participation in the labour market. The assessment is located within the context of literature on Muslim women in the workplace in general and Pakistan in particular and outlines the kind of challenges faced by them. Using interviews with a selected sample of Australian women of Pakistani background living in Western Australia, it argues that not all experience similar challenges to the ones faced in Pakistan. Rather a diversity of experiences and challenges, including with reference to the current environment marked by increasing Islamophobia, manifests itself in their responses. At the same time, the women assume agency in responding to their social and workplace environment, and explore ways of shifting perceptions of Islam and Muslims. They also use their experiences in the Australian workplace to suggest pathways to improve the status of working women in Pakistan.