GENDERED ASPECT OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: A FEMINIST QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES

Abstract

Women are regarded as a fundamental pillar of societal structure, significantly influencing a nation's economy, productivity, and overall well-being. This research addresses the intersection of gender, poverty, and the pandemic in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through a feminist qualitative analysis. The primary objective of the study was to explore multidimensional poverty in this region with special focus of socio-economic barriers, social inclusion, religion, covid-19 and patriarchal system in local population. The research was conducted using qualitative methods, focusing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, which consists of seven divisions further divided into thirty-five districts. The Kohat division was selected, encompassing five districts: Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai.Specifically, the study targeted women-headed households. Key findings indicate that such element are the leading causes of women poverty and has a profound impact on individuals’ lives, with inflation, lockdowns, and household responsibilities adversely affecting morale and limiting job opportunities for female in the region