THEORISING HIGHER EDUCATION FOR WOMEN’S EMANCIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT IN KHYBER PUKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN
Keywords:
Higher education, Pakistan,, Pukhtunkhwa,, gender, feminism,, empowermentAbstract
This paper summarises the findings of a 2012 doctoral study by the author which explored the factors that affecting women participation in higher education in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan. Qualitative (semi-structured and focussed-interviews) and quantities (questionnaires) data collection instrument were used to question BA/BSc students of 4 colleges of Pukhtunkhwa; 40 (initial survey) and 172 (Audit survey) students responded. Subsequently, in Post survey 4 in-depth focussed-interviews were held with 1 each student of the colleges. Sample women highlighted economic status, medium of instruction of our dual education system and misinterpretation of religion Islam were the main stumbling block in their way to higher education. A major finding is the paradoxical role of man that control women marriage, education and career. The main recommendation is that future educational strategies be developed with the aim of further promoting gender equality in all areas of education, but particularly with the aim of increasing women students’ participation in higher education.
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