An Empirical Analysis of Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Slum Areas in Islamabad

Abstract

Women’s empowerment has the potential to break the cycle of poverty, reduce mortality rates, alleviate dependency burdens, and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability, particularly in developing nations like Pakistan. This study aims to analyze the empowerment of women residing in slums, focusing on four central slums in Islamabad. The research assesses the extent of women’s empowerment and identifies its correlates within the slum communities. To determine the factors associated with women's empowerment, the study employs the Logit model. The selected slums for this study include Hundred Quarters, Faisal Colony, Hansa Colony, and France Colony in Islamabad. A convenience sample of 411 households, representing 2,727 individuals, including 630 married women, was collected. The study reveals that women in the slums have limited empowerment in making decisions regarding education, employment, childbirth, and child marriage. However, they exhibit higher levels of empowerment in marriage decisions, household purchases, personal and family visits, medical treatment, visits to parents, and hosting guests. Additionally, the study explores the role of various factors such as education, employment, and income in influencing women's empowerment. Furthermore, the correlates of empowerment are examined separately for spouses and daughters-in-law/daughters. The findings indicate that education, employment, and household income positively impact women's empowerment in the slums of Islamabad city.