Pakhtun social organization [pakhtunwali] and gendered decision-making process in mate selection among pakhtuns of district malakand, KPK, Pakistan

The current study examined to explore gender based discrimination in mate selection among Pakhtuns. This research was conducted in Batkhela, [the capital of District Malakand], Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Data was collected from 200 respondents [both male and female] selected by stratified random sampling technique. A structured interview schedule was used as a tool of data collection. The results show that the process of decision-making in mate selection is highly gendered that is, caused by the practice of patriarchy, male dominance and rigidity of Pakhtun social organization. Such values tend to define the code of life that is mostly gender biased and women are particularly the victims of disparity in their mate selection process

Socio-Economic and political obstacles in women's empowerment in Pakhtun Society of District Dir [L], Khyber Pkhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The fact is obvious that women constitute almost half of the total population, while they are deprived in more than half of their rights and shares, which they deserve by living in this social world. This research is an attempt to describe the Socio-Economic, and Political obstacles that exist in gender development particularly in women's empowerment in District Dir [L] of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To study the socio economic and political obstacles a comprehensive survey was made in eight union councils of the district and 775 educated females were selected through proportionate stratified sampling technique. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview schedule. The collected information was then classified, tabulated and presented in bar charts, which has further been discussed qualitatively in detail. The results show that there exist various social, economic and political obstacles in women's empowerment and gender development in Pakhtun society