Women Participation in Socio-Economic Development in Agriculture Areas of Pakistan

Universal Journal of Management and Social Sciences Vol. 2, No.10; October 2012

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Women Participation in Socio-Economic Development in Agriculture Areas of

Pakistan Tanzeel Ur RehmanAlvi1, *Imran Hanif2, Irum Feryal3, Imtiaz Ahmad Waraich4 & Naveed Mortaza5

1M.Phil Sociology, Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. 2PhD

Scholar Department of Economics, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. 3M.Sc Sociology

Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. 4Coordinator Department

of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. 5M.Phil Sociology, Department of

Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.

*[email protected]

Abstract

In the modern age of industrialization, women are playing vital role in uplifting the living standards

of their households. In developed countries women have major contribution in the promotion of

industrialization while on the other hand, in developing countries women participation rate in

agriculture sector have major contribution in raising the per capita income and foster economic

growth.This study is based on primary data and has used the Chi-square method to check the

relationship between certain independent and dependent variables. The results show that the ration

of young illiterate married women participation in agricultural activities was greater than unmarried

so that the economic condition of their family can be improved. Due to joint family system and

limited livelihood opportunities only male members were unable to fulfill the financial needs of whole

family. So women participation in agricultural activities were inevitable although women laborers got

less income than male for doing the same farming activity. Women facing certain problems while

performing agricultural activities such as bad attitude of owner, problem of getting wages in time,

and problem of working in harsh conditions of weather. Finally the study suggests that by providing

education female status can be improved and they will be able to finance their families by finding

respectable and better earning opportunities.

Keywords: Agriculture; Development; Education; Income; Women

1. Introduction

Agriculture is major economic source in all over the world. Agriculture has major contribution in

each country development. Developing nations are more dependent on the agriculture base

economy. Many Asian and south American countries produce the major food for all over the world.

China and America has a lot of agriculture resources. It is the need of the time to enhance the

production while using the new technology in agriculture. The countries which are using the new

trends and methods are growing very fast in this field (Kwa, 2001).

Women have great worth in agriculture settings. In each country women play their vital role

in this productive sector. But women are paid very less as compare to men. This can be gender

discrimination. Karl Marx also pointed out this dilemma that women are less paid in farming that

could not appreciate women participation in agriculture department any more. Official statistics also

do not present the original data regarding women’s role in country’s development. Women are

playing vital role for the development of many developing countries, but women are also

marginalized in farming likewise other sectors. Pakistan is basically an agrarian country and is trying

its best to stand in the row of developed nations. For achieving this objective, it is necessary to

utilize all of its resources both physical and human to their full capacity. In all societies women

development is a prerequisite for overall national progress. Women have traditionally shared men’s

mailto:[email protected]


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job when the economy required it (Bhutto & Bazmi, 2007). In Pakistan, most of the rural families are

poor. The women of these families work with men to increase their family income. Rural women are

economically active but are not economically independent. This study is an attempt to highlight the

role of women for the socio economic development of the country. It is to know how far they are

contributing to their family by participation in harvesting, cotton picking and animal breeding.

The key research questions were to find out the economic condition of respondent’s families, their

participation level, income generating activities in which female are engaged in agricultural areas,

women contribution to family income, the problems faced by these women andto assess the female

situation in aspect of division of labor in agriculture.

The paper divided into six sections. Second section willdiscuss the review of ancient studies and in

third section; the conceptual frame work will be discussed. In sectionfour, we will describe the data

sources, methodology and model specification. The results are briefly discussed in fifth section and

there are some recommendations in chapter six elaborating the current social issue.

2. Review of Studies

Raynolds (1998) stated that In the Dominican Republic majority of women are facing many social

and economic challenges. Now day’s women have to contribute to run the family system as well as

to take care of her children. Women are facing the role conflict. They have to give proper attention

to their children and earn for their better livelihood. Women cannot perform the both role at the

same time properly. There should be some duty relaxation for the women so that she can give time

to her children.

Carpenter (2000) stated that when production period are on its peak then women contribute her

time more than a man, she also assist at the same time to her children and take care of her home. It

is proved that women are best cultivator then her counterpart. They are found much committed

with their work than men. Wives, plus machinery, have taken the place of hired men or other

outside help.

Kongolo and Bamgose (2002) analyzed that in rural areas majority of the South African women are

not found in agriculture sector due to the over burden of family responsibilities. These women do

not participate in farming and just take care of their children. They were also liable to perform many

other duties like planting, weeding and some-time storing of crops. It is observed that lack of govt.

interest and Govt. policies regarding women’s right are very crucial. There are cultural values and

gender discrimination that is resulted in the form of inactive women participation in development.

Prakash (2003) described that there are many constraints that discourage the women in

development and thus major sex of the world cannot contribute their power in economic sector.

There is patriarchal system that is existed in some societies which does not allow women to work

with other male workers. There are also cultural barriers and religious interpretations that create

hurdles in women social mobility. These factors are resulted the less women participation in

agriculture sector. This portion of human being is generally invisible in development activities.

Kato, et al (2004) stated that a significant number of women effect due to the use of pesticides in

farming. Many women caught by skin problems during cotton picking. There are also increasing

numbers of female workers who have asthma due to the cotton picking. Women laborers do not

know about the dangers of the poisoned pesticides. There should be preventive measures and

awareness campaigns to minimize the side effects of pesticides.

García (2005) analyzed that agricultural trade policies are not according to the liberalization and

globalization. These policies are directly encountering with the women’s rights. These policies put


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more burdens on women as underpaid and sometimes unpaid. The factor of gender inequality

effects the women participation in farming which is resulted the low production in agriculture and

other social problems. If women should be provided equal wages to men then they must be

encouraged in this field and thus economy can boom due to the efficient agriculturist. There should

be women’s access to the market and technical assistance.

Ferdoos (2006) analyzed that in Pakistan, practices of gender inequality are very common in major

part of the country. Women are less paid at work place and treated as the second sex at their

homes. The women who work get more worth in their families rather then the non-working women,

but working women have still respect and space for male superiority.Majority of working women

cannot give proper time to their families due to the ridged working hours in urban areas.

Sidhu (2007) stated that post harvesting is very important that often performed by women. Beside

her role as a keeper of the home, caretaker of the livestock and that of the consistent helper to the

farmer in farm related tasks, women play vital role in post harvesting, especially in storage, drying

and cleaning of grains cannot be denied. If we provide them technical guidance then the loss

chances in storage can be reduced at major level.

3. Conceptual Frame Work

There are some major concepts that are operationalized to understand the phenomenon. These

concepts are given below.

Agriculture: The relevant definition in this study is that the science or business of raising plants and

animals useful to man. It covers the proper cultivation of lands and livestock because the relevant

definition in this study, defines the basic activities of agriculture. The following categories of

agricultural activities were used in this study.Cleaning field, Seed preparation, Sowing, Harvesting,

Cotton picking and Livestock keeping

Age: The relevant definition used in this study was, “The time of life when a person becomes

qualified to assume certain civil and personal rights and responsibilities, usually at 18 or 21 years;

legal age: under age; of age.” In the present study age of respondent was taken as she told because

age is an important factor to affect the role of women in agriculture. The following categories were

used to identify the age of respondent: 15 to 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60 and 61 to 75.

Education: The researcher used this definition of education “The process of acquiring knowledge and

understanding.” In the present study education of respondent was taken as she told because mostly

illiterate women were involved in agriculture. The following categories were used to identify the

education of respondent asPrimary, Middle, Illiterate and Quran knowledge.

Income: The researcher used this definition of income, the total amount of money earned from work

or obtained from other sources over a given period of time. Income was most important factor

because mostly respondents were involved in agriculture in order to increase their family income.

Role Conflict: The researcher used this definition of role conflict, a special form of social conflict that

takes place when one is forced to take on two different and incompatible roles at the same time. In

this study women had to face role conflict while performing the two roles of farm activity and

household activities.

Family: Family is the group of intimate people emotionally involved and related either through blood

marriage or adoption, responsible for the reproduction and rearing together (Chaudhary, 1984). In

the present research, family was categorized into Nuclear family and Joint family.

4. Data Sources and Methodology

The present study was conducted to see the female labor force participation in agricultural sector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_conflict


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The study was also designed to explore the other aspect of rural women and its place in the rural

family. A sample of 200 respondents was selected with the help of multistage random sampling. The

sample size of present research was 200 female laborers. This sample was drawn through “Multi

Stage Simple Random” Sampling making the tehsils, union councils on hierarchal stages. District

Muzafargarh comprised of four Tehsils called Tehsil Muzaffargarh, Tehsil KotAddu, Tehsil Jatoi and

Tehsil Ali Pur.On the first stage, one Tehsil was selected out of 4 with the help of simple random

sampling by using chit system. The Tehsil KotAdu was selected as a unit of analysis.There are 28

union councils (3 urban, 25 rural) in Tehsil KotAdu. On the second stage, 5 Union Councils were

selected out of total 25 union Councils (of rural areas) with the help of simple random sampling from

the selected Tehsil. Three union councils were exempted due to the urban union councils. In this

research, multistage random sampling technique was used. The description of the selected sample is

explained in table 1.

Table 1: Distribution of the Respondents Regarding the Selected Sample

Name of

Tehsil

Total No.

of Union

Councils

Sample

drawn

No. of Villages

selected

Sample

drawn

Sample from

each village

Size of

sample

Kot Addu 25 5 25 5 40 200

Methodology and Model Specification

The study based on primary data which is collected from two hundred female households.

The study used Univariate analysis and Chi-square method to analyze the collected data.

Univariate Analysis:

For the description of statistical data the following method were used.It is simple and best

way to present the numeric percentage

PF/N* 100

Where,

F = Frequency of class ; N =Total frequency

P = Percentage

Bivariate analysis

In second step study will use Bivariate analysis to capture the relationship between

dependent and independent variables and Chi-square method will be adopted to examine that

relationship.

Chi-Square Test:

Chi-square test was applied to analyze the relationship between both dependent and

independent variables of this hypothesis, “Higher the improvement in the economic status with

respect to the job more is the feeling of economic security.”

The chi-square was calculated with the following formula

X2 = fe

fefo )(

Where

O = observed value ; E = expected value

S = sum of values

In order to judge the significance of results, the calculated value of chi-square at a given


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degree of freedom will be compared with the tabulated value.

5. Estimation and Results

In this study all the respondents were involved in some economic activity in agriculture outside of

home and earning money for their family.

Table 2: General Characteristics of the Population

Table 2.1:Respondents Regarding To Their Age

Categories Frequency Percentage

15-30 39 19.5

31-45 71 35.5

46-60 68 34.0

61-75 22 11.0

Table 2.2: Respondents Regarding to Their Marital Status

Unmarried 22 11.0

Married 155 77.5

Widow 15 7.5

Divorced 8 4.0

Table 2.3:Respondents Regarding To Their Education

Primary 33 16.5

Middle 13 6.5

Illiterate 112 56.0

Quran 42 21.0

Table 2.4: Respondents Regarding To Their Family Type

Nuclear 62 31.0

Joint 138 69.0

Total 200 100.0

Age was most important variable in this research. The table no 2.1 shows the frequency

distribution of respondents regarding their age. The data revealed that 35% respondents belonged

to group of 31-45 ages, 34% of respondents belonged to the age group of 46-60, 19% respondents

belonged to group 15-30 and 11% respondents came in the category of 61-75. According to the table

the ratio of respondents who belonged to the age group of 31-45 was higher than other categories

because young women could perform farming activities more efficiently than women of higher age.

The table no 2.2 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding their marital status. The

data revealed that 77% were married, 11% were unmarried, 7% respondents were widows and 4%

came in the category of divorced women. The ratio of respondents who were married was higher

than other categories. Because married women were responsible for upbringing of their children

and by their participation in farming activities they could be able to fulfill the needs of their family.

Education empowers women to make decisions about their own lives and to participate more fully in

their development. The table no 2.3 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding

education. The data revealed that 56% were illiterate, 21% had read the Quran, and 16%

respondents were primary pass and 6.5% respondents got middle level education. According to this

table the ratio of respondents who were illiterate was higher than other categories. Because poverty

was common in rural areas so people engaged their daughters in income generating activities in


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agriculture rather than sending them to school.

The table no 2.4 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding their family type. The

data revealed that 69% had joint family and 31% had nuclear family type. According to this table the

ratio of respondents who had joint family was higher than other categories. Because joint families

had large family size and females had to participate in farming activities in order to fulfill the needs

of large family.

Table 3: Analysis of Factors Which Attract Women to Participate in Agri-sector

Table 3.1: Respondents Regarding the Reason to Adopt The Agricultural Activities


To increase the family income 106 53.0

Due to absence of male earner 32 16.0

Due to husband's unemployment 26 13.0

To utilize the free time 36 18.0

Table 3.2: Respondents Regarding the Total Time Spending In Farming Activities

2-4 hours 45 22.5

5-6 hours 66 33.0

7-8 hours 89 44.5

Table 3.3:Respondents Regarding the Attitude of the Family Members About Respondent’s Work

Favorable 110 55.0

Unfavorable 45 23.0

Indifferent 45 22.0

Table 3.4: Respondents Regarding the Appreciation of Family Members to Their Involvement In

Agricultural Activities

Yes 153 76.5

No 47 23.5

Total 200 100.0

The table no 3.1 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the reason to

adopt the agricultural activities. The data revealed that 53% respondents were working in agriculture

in order to increase their family income, 18%were involved in agriculture to utilize their free time,

16% respondents were working due to absence of male earner in their family and 13% were working

in agriculture due to their husband’s unemployment. According to this table the ratio of respondents

who were working for the sake of increasing family income was higher than other categories.

The table no 3.2 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the total time

respondent spend in farming related activities. The data revealed that 44% respondents spent 7-8

hours, 33% spent 5-6 hours and 22% spent 2-4 hours in doing farming related activities. The ratio of

respondents who spent 7-8 hours in dong farming activities was higher than other categories.

The table no 3.3 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the attitude of

family members about respondent’s work. The data revealed that 55% respondents said that their

family member’s attitude was favorable to them, 23% respondent’s family attitude was unfavorable

and 22% respondent’s family members showed indifferent attitude to their work. The ratio of

respondents whose family attitude was favorable to respondent’s work was greater than other

categories because the respondents were bringing money for their family.

The table no 3.4 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the appreciation


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of family members to their involvement in the agricultural activities. The data revealed that 76%

respondents said that their family members appreciate their involvement in agricultural activities

and 23% respondents said that their family members did not appreciate their involvement in

agricultural activities. Family members appreciated their work because these females earn money

for their family.

Table 4: Effects on Social Activities

Table 4.1: Respondents Regarding Family Support in Performing Domestic Chores


Yes 120 60.0

No 80 40.0

Table 4.2: Respondents Regarding the Effect of Farm Activity on Household Chores

To great extent 111 55.5

To some extent 79 39.5

Not at all 10 5.0

Table 4.3: Respondents Regarding the Effect of Farm Activity on Upbringing of Children



Not at all 60 27.0

Table 4.4: Respondents Regarding the Effect of Farm Activity on Self-Care of Themselves



Not at all 16 8.0

Total 200 100.0

The table no 4.1 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the family

support in performing domestic chores. The data revealed that 60 % respondents said that their

families supported them in performing domestic chores and 40% respondents said that their family

did not support in performing domestic chores. Family members of female farmers supported them

in performing the domestic chores when female farmers were outside of home and working in the

farms.

The table no 4.2 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the effect of farm

activity on household chores. The data revealed that 55% respondents said that farm activity affect

household chores to great extent, 39% respondents said that farm activity affect their household

chores to some extent and 5% respondents said that farm activity did not affect the household

chores. The ratio of respondents whose household chores were affected by farm activity to great

extent was greater than other categories. Because they spent more time in the fields and had not

enough time to perform the domestic chores properly.

The table no 4.3 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the effect of

farm activity on upbringing of children. The data revealed that 39% respondents said that farm

activity affected the upbringing of children to great extent, 33% respondents said that farm activity

affected their upbringing of children to some extent and 27% respondents said that farm activity did

not affect the upbringing of their children. The ratio of respondents whose upbringing of children

was affected by farm activity to great extent was greater than other categories. Due to their

engagement in farming activities female farmers were not able give proper time and attention to


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their children.

The table 4.4 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the effect of farm

activity on caring of themselves. The data revealed that 53% respondents said that farm activity

affected their self-care to great extent, 39% respondents said that farm activity affected their self-

care to some extent and 8% respondents said that farm activity did not affect their self-care. The

ratio of respondents whose self-care was affected by farm activity to great extent was greater than

other categories. According to this table mostly female farmers had not enough time even to give

proper time to their health, outer appearance and lifestyle because they were so much tired after

doing a lot of farm work.

Table 5: Analysis of Socio-economic Problems

Table5.1: Respondents Regarding the Problems Faced by Them while Doing Farm Activities


Yes 164 82.0

No 36 18.0

Table 5.2: Percentage Distributions of Respondents Regarding the Type of Problems

Bad attitude of owner 78 46.5

Problem of getting wages in time 63 37.5

Problem of working in harsh conditions of

weather 27 16.0

Table5.3: Respondents Regarding the Effect of Work in Agriculture on their Health

Yes 161 80.5

No 39 19.5

Table5.4: Respondents Regarding the Independence to Consume their Income

Yes 92 46.0

No 108 54.0

Table 5.5: Respondents Regarding Wage Differentials between Male And Female Laborer

Yes 157 78.5

No 43 21.5

Total 200 100.0

The table no 5.1 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the problems

faced by them while doing farm activities. The data revealed 82% respondents were facing certain

problems and 18% respondents had no problem while doing farm activities. The ratio of respondents

who had problems was greater than other categories.

The table 5.2 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the type of

problems faced by them while doing farm activities. The data revealed that 46% respondents faced

the problem of bad attitude of owner, 37% respondents had a problem of getting wages in time, and

16% had the problem to work in harsh conditions of weather. According to this table the ratio of

respondents who had to face bad attitude ofowner was greater than other categories because they

were not treated like humans by their owners as per our social system.

The table 5.3 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the effect of work

in agriculture on their health. The data revealed that 80% respondents work in agriculture affected

their health but 19% respondent’s work in agriculture had no effect on their health. According to this

table mostly women had health hazards due to use of pesticides in the fields.


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The table 5.4 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the independence

to consume their income. The data revealed that 54% respondents were not independent to

consume their income but 46% respondents were independent to consume their income. According

to this table the ratio of respondents who were not independent to consume their income was

greater than other categories because they were free only to spend the money on their children and

house hold affairs not for themselves.

The table no5.5 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the wage

differentials between female and male laborers. The data revealed that 78% respondents said that

wage differentials existed between male and female laborers and 21%respondents said that there

were no wage differentials between male and female laborers. The ratio of respondents who said

that there were wage differentials was greater than other categories. Mostly female farmers were

getting less income than male farmers for doing the same farming activity.

Table 6: Analysis of Benefits to Participate in Agriculture Sector

Table 6.1: Respondents Regarding the Improvement in their Economic Status with Respect to Their

Job


Yes 113 56.5

No 87 43.5

Table 6.2: Respondents Regarding the Feeling of Honor while Working in Agriculture

Strongly agree 26 13.0

Agree 79 39.5

Strongly disagree 36 18.0

Disagree 59 29.5

Table 6.3: Respondents Regarding the Improvement in Economic Condition of Their Family



Not at all 34 19.0

Table 6.4: Percentage Distribution of Regarding the Feeling of Economic Security

Yes 93 46.5

No 107 53.5

Table 6.5:Respondents Regarding the Improvement in their Efficiency by Solving Women's Problem

Yes 163 81.5

No 37 18.5

Table 6.6 Respondents Regarding the Ways to Improve the Status of Women in Society

Education 111 55.5

Gender equality 79 39.5

Any other 10 5.0

The table 6.1 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the improvement

in their statuswith respect to their job. The data revealed that 56% respondents improved their

economic status through their work in farming and 43% respondents have not improved their status

through their farm work. The ratio of respondents whose economic status improved was greater

than other categories because these females earn a large portion of their family’s total income.

The table 6.2 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding thefeeling of honor

while working in agriculture. The data revealed 39% respondents agreed that they feel honored


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while working in agriculture, 29% respondents disagreed that they feel honored while working in

agriculture, 18% respondents strongly disagreed that they feel honored and 13% respondents

strongly agreed that they feel honored while working in agriculture. The ratio of respondents who

agreed that they feel honored while working in agriculture was greater than other categories.

The table no 6.3 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the

improvement in economic condition of their family. The data revealed that 52% respondents

improved their family’s economic condition to some extent, 28% respondents improved their

family’s economic condition to great extent and 19% respondents were not improving their family’

economic condition. The ratio of respondents who were improving their family economic condition

to some extent was greater than other categories.

The table 6.4 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the feeling of

economic security. The data revealed 53% respondents did not feel economic security and 46%

respondents felt themselves economically secure. According to this table the ratio of respondents

who did not feel economic security was greater than other categories because they had no right to

spend their money on themselves.

The table 6.5 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the improvement in their

efficiency by solving women’s problems. The data revealed that 81% respondents said that female

efficiency could be improved by solving their problems and 18% respondents said that female

efficiency could not be improved by solving their problems.

The table 6.6 shows the frequency distribution of respondents regarding the ways to

improve status of women in society. The data revealed that 55% respondents said that by giving

education female status can be improved, 39% respondents said that by gender equality women’s

status could be improved and 5% respondents said that women status could be improved by some

other means in society. According to this table the ratio of respondents who agreed with

improvement in female status by education was greater than other categories because education

helps them in knowing about their inner qualities and abilities.

Hypothesis Testing

Table: Improvements in the economic status of the respondents with respect to their job cause

feeling of economic security.

Hypothesis: Higher the improvement in the economic status with respect to the job more is the

feeling of economic security.

Null Hypothesis: Higher the improvement in the economic status with respect to the jobless situation

is the feeling of economic security.

Alternate Hypothesis: Higher the improvement in the economic status with respect to the job more

is the feeling of economic security

Table 3

Improvement in your status with respect to

your job

economic security

yes No Total

Yes 47 71 118

No 46 36 82

Total 93 107 200

Chi Square: 5.146

Degree Of Freedom: 1

Tabulated Value: 3.84

Level Of Significance: 0.05


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Discussion

Table three shows that the hypothesis of the researcher was that higher the improvement in the

economic status with respect to the job more is the feeling of economic security. The null hypothesis

(Ho) was that higher the improvement in the economic status with respect to the jobless situation is

the feeling of economic security. The alternate hypothesis (Hi) was that higher the improvement in

the economic status with respect to the job more is the feeling of economic security. The calculated

value is greater than the tabulated value and the alternate hypothesis is true. Thus it is proved that

when respondents were working in the fields they earn money as a reward for their labor. As a result

the economic status of their family was improved and they had a feeling of economic security. So

more is the improvement in the economic status due to their job more is the feeling of economic

security.

6. Conclusion

In all societies women development is a prerequisite for overall national progress. Women have

traditionally shared men’s jobwhen the economy required it. In Pakistani society women work in

agriculture sector just to support their families. Female have lower socioeconomic status than male

employee. Economic structural adjustment caused a tremendous increase in the workload of

women. In order to augment family incomes rural women’s participation is increasing day by day.

Women spend longer working hours than men, meeting both household responsibilities and their

outside work. The women of these families work with men to increase their family income. Rural

women are economically active but are not economically independent. Women and girls work more

than male in farming but they do not get proper food and medical treatment and deprive from many

basic necessities of life. Gender discrimination on the basis of socially constructed moralities and

duties are very common in Pakistan. This study highlighted that the role of women in agricultural

development is not limited and women‘s role in agriculture sector should be realized. There should

be some laws for the protection of women’s rights on prior level that could not be violated at any

cast. Women farmers need to learn skills for improved agricultural operations and for better post-

harvest practices and storage. But technical training and information from extension agents are

available to men alone. There is a need to render the services of extension agents to females in

agriculture. The technical guidance will help in enhancement of their capabilities and capacities.

Efforts to involve men to secure the women are right and take the responsibility to ensure the

women’s status in society. Women are fertile as earth. There should be proper socialization of the

children regarding their gender role to erase the women’s discrimination in all spheres.

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Women Participation in Socio-Economic Development in Agriculture Areas of Pakistan

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