BARRIERS TO EMPOWERMENT: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF WOMEN’S CHALLENGES IN PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION IN GOVERNMENT COLLEGES OF BAHAWALPUR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

In Pakistani Society, mostly male hold the leading role in the family and is responsible for making decision regarding the women in his family, including their education, choice of career and other matter the society which is deeply rooted in tradition and male dominance. For centuries, women were limited to the household and solely tasked with domestic or uncompensated labor. In recent times, there has been a significant increase in the number of women pursuing higher education and entering the workforce but still their numbers are very low. The objectives of this study were to explore the challenges faced by women in pursuing higher education for career development; to examine the role of higher education department in fostering women’s access to higher education and career development. The present study was qualitative in nature and this type of research is primarily exploratory in its purpose, aiming to gain a comprehensive understanding of a specific phenomenon. The present study was conducted in Government Colleges of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Total numbers of 12 Principles were selected for the Focus Group Discussion from the targeted colleges. These discussions aimed to gather administrative and institutional viewpoints regarding the support systems in place, the cultural and structural obstacles female students face, and the role of colleges in enabling or hindering women's academic and career advancement. Collected data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The Focus Group Discussion explored the experiences of women in higher education and career development within the Saraiki cultural context. The discussion identified the major challenges women faced, such as early marriage, patriarchal traditions and societal expectations that prioritize household roles over education. Participants highlighted that in many cases, families discourage women's education due to fears of liberal influence and a desire to preserve family honor. Despite these barriers, the availability of educational institutions, qualified teaching staff and access to practical and research opportunities play a vital role in enhancing women’s academic growth.

 Key Words: Challenges, Women pursuing Higher Education, Career Development Bahawalpur, South Punjab