An Analysis of the Participation of Rural Women’s Activities in Agriculture Sector of Sindh: A Case Study of District Tando Allahyar

Abstract

Pakistan is economically reliant on the agriculture sector and provides for the livelihood of the rural population in all four provinces of Pakistan. The study highlights the extent of the work and important role of the rural women in the agriculture sector and its allied fields along with household affairs in the district Tando Allahyar of Sindh. Although their performance and contribution to household economy has not much been recognized and rewarded in comparison their male counter parts with whom they work shoulder to shoulder in the crop production, livestock, fish farming, poultry and other agro based industries along with the household activities. The survey study depicts that more than 65 percent of the rural women carry out various jobs in crop production. They keep and care for the livestock, poultry and fish farming along with other household activities. They work for 15 hours in a day from dawn to dusk. The rural women of the district Tando Allahyar of Sindh do not have enough access to the finance and credit facility. They suffer from mal nutrition and the lack of proper healthcare and from inadequacy of proper skill and educational facilities. Their level of participation is very nominal in the decision making at home or in their own circle of  society. They have a very limited excess to economic opportunities as such it is major obstacle in the development and the change of their socio economic conditions. The prevalence of sexual harassment also serves as a great hindrance in their participation of major decision making process.