Women’s Participation in Rural Development: A Case Study of the District Chakwal,Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, rural women play a crucial role in reducing food insecurity as food producers and processors. However, their participation in these activities constitutes only approximately 50% of the labour force. Rural women engage in agribusiness, animal rearing, poultry farming, and social relations but often face challenges due to limited resources and guidance. This results in losing lifetime opportunities for training, nutrition and Medicare. This study aimed to determine rural women’s involvement in rural development, specifically in Locale Chakwal, which comprises five tehsils: Kalar Kahar, Talagang, Chakwal, Chohasaidan Shah and Lawa. The data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed that most rural women were involved in yield-creation activities such as cutting, knitting, woolening and drying farming produce. In the domesticated animal part, women produce yogurt, draining and milk stockpiling. The study highlighted an empowering reaction against gender preference in fields such as education and training. Most women chose daily training for their skill improvement, focusing on training in harvesting activities, animal rearing, poultry production and drying leafy foods.

Keywords

Rural development farming women participation empowerment

Introduction

Pakistan is a developing nation with a predominantly agricultural socioeconomic system, accounting for 23.3% of the GDP. The rural population, comprising over 70%, is directly or indirectly responsible for approximately 53% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture is the bedrock of the economy’s stability and expansion, and women are essential to these economies’ large agricultural socioeconomic structures (Zulfiqar & Thapa, 2017). Socio-cultural values and norms significantly influence the status of women in Pakistan. Society is predominantly male-dominated, even though the patriarchal structure is not consistent throughout the nation. The gender disparity is deeply ingrained, and constitutional laws are frequently violated. Men are more likely to hold positions of authority, while women are disadvantaged in all aspects of life. Pakistan is the nation in South Asia with the most significant gender disparity, and discrimination against women continues to be prevalent in all aspects of life.

Gender inequality within Pakistan’s borders continues to be a significant challenge. Gender discrimination presents significant obstacles to females in virtually every aspect of their lives, including access to education, professional advancements, and adequate healthcare resources. Regrettably, deeply ingrained cultural norms and religious practices appear to be bent on restricting the fundamental freedoms of women, significantly limiting their mobility. Even more alarming is the widespread violence that is directed at women in Pakistani culture, which includes instances such as honour killings, femicide, and domestic abuse (Khan et al., 2021; Madhani, 2007; Shahid, 2010; UNICEF, 2006).

In Pakistan, women from agrarian households labour on farms with men, focusing on rice cultivation, cotton harvesting, and fodder trimming. They also participate in livestock management and work alongside male farmers in various sectors, such as poultry farming, food preservation, and kitchen gardening. Women are responsible for two-thirds of all sustenance production and should actively engage in every agricultural development program (Srinivasa Rao et al., 2016). In the agrarian sector, women are actively involved in labour alongside men, performing field operations such as sowing, harvesting, and storing agricultural produce equally. They are also responsible for animal husbandry tasks, including grazing, herding, feeding, cutting fodder, transporting, chopping fodder and vegetation, and cleaning livestock sheds. They also work in various fields, including general healthcare, ghee/butter manufacturing, milking, preserving milk and milk products, and marketing their products (Akhter et al., 2017).

However, women are often overlooked or undervalued in the management and production activities of the domestic and national economy despite their presence in more than 50% of the global population. This is due to the persistent misconception regarding the significance of cultural values, normative customs, and patterns, which lack religious or ethical justification. Pakistani women face primary challenges in active customs, agricultural products, and patterns, often lacking religious or ethical legitimacy (Amin et al., 2010; Asgha & Awan, 2012). Livestock is a significant subsector of Pakistan’s agriculture, accounting for approximately 50% of the agricultural GDP and 11% of the national GDP. It is primarily a subsistence activity that supplements agricultural incomes and assures household food requirements. In Punjab, Pakistan, almost every rural household possesses some livestock, and the public sector’s contribution to livestock productivity is inadequate. The private sector is generally encouraged to invest in the production, processing, and commercialisation of livestock and livestock products by the general public. Livestock production is the primary occupation of most women in rural Pakistan, who are responsible for processing animal products, clearing sheds, and collecting fodder (Raza et al., 2022; Valdivia, 2001).

Despite their substantial contributions to various duties inside and outside the home, women are often overlooked in major household decisions. They are responsible for cutting fodder, milking animals, and other related duties, except grazing. Most rural women also assist males in the field, resulting in higher yields and increased income. Most livestock care activities are performed by women, including lactation, milk processing, ghee preparation, and nourishment (Amin et al., 2010). There are shared and distinct responsibilities associated with women in livestock production. In most societies, women are accountable for milking, processing milk, allocating milk to various purposes, and providing for pregnant animals, newborn calves, and ill or injured animals. Vabi (2003) found that male adolescents are responsible for 68% and 46% of intraseasonal animal movements in southwestern Nigeria and northwestern Cameroon. The location of the animals, the extent of the agricultural area, and the family’s caste all considerably influence the gender division of labour in livestock production in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. The animals’ material value and use influence the decision-making powers in cattle husbandry. Women are accountable for all bovine farming tasks when the animals are housed in the farmyard, but they are not involved in these tasks on larger farms. As the value of the animals increases, the probability of women making decisions regarding their purchases and sales decreases.

A comprehensive understanding of the gender division of labour, responsibilities, and access to resources and benefits throughout the entire agricultural system significantly enhances the significance of information regarding gender and livestock production. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of rural women and their spouses in the production of livestock. The decision about female involvement in rural development (RD) is vital to the economic process. However, Pakistani women from Chakwal District, in particular, have not shown satisfactory participation in farming and livestock. They lag significantly because of many hurdles, such as norms, transportation, and mobility. Therefore, this study was formulated to inquire about the role of women in RD in the abovementioned field within a conceptual framework.

This study focuses on the participation of women in RD, including teaching, livestock, farming, and vocational activities, and the challenges they face. It outlines strategies for women to participate in RD and overcome obstacles. As awareness of the issue increased, it became clear that grassroots participation was crucial for meaningful and accelerated growth. Programs related to RD now emphasise ‘people’s participation’, particularly women. Including women is vital for providing rural communities with greater chances of economic growth. This study will assist public and private organisations in understanding the role of women in development (WID) and planning policies about WID. The research questions are—how did women’s participation (WP) facilitate RD? What should be the strategy for enhancing WP? That is, to examine the influence of sociocultural factors in limiting WP in development in the Chakwal district. Therefore, the objectives of the study are

To highlight the participation of women in RD, such as livestock, farming, and vocational activities.

Identifying cultural obstacles blocking WP in rural uplift

To propose suggestions for enhancing WP based on the study findings.

Research Methodology

Emordi (2021) used WID, one of the best and most widely used theoretical frameworks for governing the work of academics in feminist, gender, and development studies and policymakers. The theory of WID, which sees women essentially in isolation and seeks to integrate them into development efforts through measures such as increasing their access to credit, land, and employment (Apusigah, 2005), provides a means for exploring the role that Ghana’s two main political parties and NGOs play in improving the subordinate status of women in Ghana. Advocates of the framework believe that fully integrating women into the development process would better meet existing social structures and traditional development objectives. The WID facilitates women’s access to development and calls for efficient and accurate measurements of women’s life experiences and improvements in women’s access to education, vocational training, and better employment.

By integrating women into existing development processes and structures, women can achieve their goal of promoting effective and efficient development. The WID is also preoccupied with only women’s subordination roles, ignoring the importance of global inequality for third-world women and the importance of race and class in women’s lives (Apusigah, 2005).

The designed conceptual framework employs a conceptual model to explain relationships. For this reason, there is one dependent variable, RD, and one independent variable, WP. The proposed model suggests that the area of participation, obstacles, and hindrances, and their subcomponents may influence WP (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Conceptual Framework.

Procedure for Sampling and the Survey

We selected Chakwal District as our study location. The district is situated on the Pothohar Plateau in Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northern region of the Punjab territory, with Jhelum to the east, Rawalpindi to the northeast, Attock to the northwest, Mianwali to the west, and Khushab to the south. Due to the impracticability of gathering data from every respondent in the Chakwal district, we employed multistage sampling to select three tehsils to analyse the proportion of female involvement in RD. We selected one village from each of the three tehsils in our compiled roster. In contrast, the names of these three settlements are Thoha Bahadur, NikkahKahut, and Kalar Kahar. We used proportionate sampling to determine the sample sizes for these three variables. The interview schedule gathered information from 360 respondents in the targeted villages.

We determined that a questionnaire is a more appropriate instrument for gathering data and examining women’s involvement in RD. The targeted demographic cohort consisted entirely of females. We gathered the information via a self-administered survey. We visited and interviewed all of the field respondents. This methodology has greatly improved our understanding of the social and cultural obstacles impeding WP in RD. We systematically organised and stored the completed questionnaires in distinct folders, supplemented by a few personal observations. To ascertain the feasibility of the interview schedule before data collection, it was imperative to conduct pretesting within the same population. We conducted thirty interviews to pre-test the schedule. Throughout the interview, we identified and rectified specific inquiries that exhibited malfunctioning functionality. We made the necessary adjustments and modifications to ensure the information was available.

We analysed the collected data to generate the results. We obtained the data and subjected them to statistical analysis using a computer application and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. We implemented frequency distributions and percentages for the demographic variables. Additionally, we used the mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) to establish the relationships between the variables. The data examined respondents’ various perspectives on women’s advancement. The percentages of various categories of data were used in the present study to compare the data.

Demographic Information

In Table 1, on average, the husbands were approximately 47 years old, while their wives were nearly 6 years younger. Statistically speaking, the difference was highly significant. Most spouses who responded to the survey were 40 or older, while this proportion was greater than 40% among housewives. A significant percentage of married individuals (32.5%) and stay-at-home mothers (29%) were aged 31 to 40. The findings of this study corroborated the notion that as individuals age, they develop cognitive maturity and become more discerning in their decision-making (Bilal et al., 2021). However, Uimonen (2019) presented evidence that challenges the notion that women physically deteriorate after devoting their youthful and active years to farming and procreation.

Table 1.

Demographic Information (Frequency Distribution).

S.NO	Groups	Attributes	Frequency	%
	Age	20–30	20	5.5
		31–40	60	16.7
		41–50	166	46.1
		51–60	144	31.7
	Education	Illiterate	188	49.0
		Primary	137	35.7
		Middle	22	5.5
		Matric	13	1.6
	Marital status	Married	340	94.4
		Unmarried	12	3.4
		Widow	5	1.4
		Divorce	3	0.8
	Monthly income	15,000	36	9.4
		20,000	161	41.9
		25,000	157	40.9
		30,000	6	1.6
	Family type	Joint	200	55.6
	Family type	Nuclear	160	44.4

Table 1 shows the marital status of the respondents. Of the total 360 respondents, the majority of the 340 respondents (94.4%) were married, while the rest were unmarried (3.4%) and widowed (1.4%), while 0.8% were divorced. Additionally, education is a crucial socioeconomic factor. Educated individuals know more about livestock care, husbandry, and vocational endeavours. As shown in Table 1, 49.0% of the respondents were illiterate, and 60.0% were literate; of the latter, 8.4% held a middle school diploma, and 35.7% held a primary education. A total of 1.6% of the participants identified themselves as matricules. Table 1 shows the monthly income of the respondents. Approximately 9.4% of the respondents had a monthly income of 15,000 Rs. For 41.9% of the respondents, the monthly income was 20,000 Rs. A total of 40.9% of the respondents had a monthly income of 25,000 Rs. A total of 1.6% of the respondents had a monthly income of 30,000 Rs. 55.6 % belong to joint families, and 44.4% are in nuclear families.

Results

Women’s Participation in Rural Areas

Table 2 shows that most respondents (M = 4.56, SD = 2.720) perceived farming as a means to elevate the economic status of women. They are capable of fulfilling their fundamental needs through cultivation. Its agricultural output consists of wheat, barley, pulses, and vegetables. Most participants maintained that activities lack established standards (M = 4.45; SD = 0.498). Women believe that societal norms do not apply to their agricultural activities. They are capable of carrying out their agricultural duties relatively easily. The prevailing view among women was that established conventions do not constrain agricultural activities. A significant proportion of the participants held the view that the hijab poses a hindrance for women (M = 1.53; SD = 0.500). In contrast, most women believed that a veil does not serve as an impediment. According to most respondents, women have unrestricted mobility (M = 4.42, SD = 0.495). The women unanimously agreed that relocating from their village to any location would not be difficult. No mobility issues exist. A significant proportion of the participants believed that transportation was an obstacle for women (M = 1.49; SD = 0.506).

Table 2.

Attitudes Toward Women’s Participation in Rural Areas.

Attitudes Toward Women’s Participation	N	Mean	Std. Dev.
Improve their economic status?	360	4.56	2.720
Are activities free from existing norms?	360	4.45	0.498
Veil is obstacle	360	1.53	0.500
Mobility is free	360	4.42	0.495
Transportation is a hurdle	360	1.49	0.506
Women are free to meet and face the market	360	4.44	0.519
Is livestock on a doorstep?	360	4.47	2.756
What type of livestock are you keeping?	360	1.58	0.563
Activities related to livestock?	360	1.72	0.997
Are you allowed to sell the products	360	4.44	0.524
Constraints faced in keeping livestock?	360	3.24	1.474
Introducing modern technology ensures the participation of women.	360	4.37	0.597
Training is necessary for women in farming and livestock to enhance production.	360	4.30	0.774
Free in decision making	360	3.69	3.115
Society acknowledges the social status of women	360	4.45	0.498
Women have more influence in decision-making	360	3.38	1.199
Women have a significant role in rural development	360	4.43	0.496
Livestock production adds income	360	4.50	0.512
Women’s participation reduces the financial burden	360	4.53	0.500
The time you give to vocational activities	360	2.19	.772
Vocational activities you are engaged	360	1.67	.622
Are there obstacles to such activities	360	4.10	.892
Availability of material is constrained in doing these activities	360	4.41	.570
Training is necessary for vocational activities	360	3.96	2.613
Get profit according to your work	360	2.29	1.176

In contrast to most women’s beliefs, conveyance is not a barrier. Women have effortless mobility. Transportation does not pose an obstacle or difficulty. According to Table 2, according to the majority of respondents (M = 4.44; SD = 0.519), women feel liberated to confront and interact with the market, and they can procure related items at the market relatively easily. A significant proportion of participants believed that livestock was within reach of women (M = 4.47, SD = 2.756). All the women agreed that raising livestock could significantly boost their income. Livestock ownership can assist them in augmenting their income and fulfilling their fundamental needs. Many participants believed that women participate in livestock keeping (M = 1.58; St = 0.563). Women, including buffaloes, cows, lambs, and goats, are responsible for the maintenance of livestock. These are the types of animals that women keep. Participants believed that women primarily handled livestock-related responsibilities (M = 1.72; SD = 0.997). Women perform various livestock-related tasks, including fodder cutting, watering, feeding, transporting, and dun cake preparation. With a standard deviation of 0.524 and a mean score of 4.44, most respondents agreed that women have the right to sell their products. Heartedly concur that they can sell their products with ease. They are not experiencing any difficulties.

As stated by most respondents (M = 3.24, SD = 1.474), women encounter limitations regarding livestock ownership. The region’s scarcity of veterinary hospitals and the absence of sizable cattle ranches hinder livestock ownership. A significant proportion of the participants believed that integrating contemporary technology would guarantee the involvement of women (M = 4.37; SD = 0.597). All the women agreed that modern technology could significantly improve the health and yield of their crops, providing them with an advantage in this regard. The prevailing opinion among the respondents was that women’s involvement in livestock and farming would increase production (M = 4.30, SD = 0.774). This is because an increase in the labour force inevitably leads to a corresponding increase in output. According to most respondents, women have autonomy in decision-making (M = 3.69; SD = 3.115). Despite Pakistan being predominantly a patriarchal society, the majority of women in the Chakwal district exercise autonomy in matters of agriculture, livestock, and vocational pursuits.

A significant proportion of the participants believed that society recognises and values the social standing of women (M = 4.45, SD = 0.498). Typically, men disapprove, but in Chakwal, it is acceptable for women to labour alongside their male partners. Women were adamant that society should acknowledge women’s social standing. As most respondents (M = 3.38, SD = 1.199) indicated, women influence decision-making more. As most respondents (M = 4.43; SD = 4.96) indicated, women play a substantial role in RD. Women are indispensable for any nation’s advancement. As previously mentioned, women possess greater strength than men. Additionally, it has been scientifically proven. In the present research, women agreed that they play an important role in RD. The prevailing view among the respondents was that livestock production contributes to income (M = 4.50, SD = 0.512). Similarly, the production of livestock, including yogurt, milk, butter, flesh, and eggs, rapidly increased income.

Most participants believed women’s involvement alleviates financial strain (M = 4.53, SD = 0.500). Women unanimously concur that working alongside their partners can significantly increase their income, contributing to the increase in earnings. Most respondents (M = 2.19) (Sd = 0.772) believed that women devote more time to vocational activities such as farming, caring for livestock, and other related activities. According to most respondents (M = 1.67, SD = 0.662), women in these rural areas engage in various vocational activities, such as sewing, knitting, stitching, embroidery, and handicraft. Most respondents believed there are obstacles to vocational activities for women (M = 4.10) (0.892). Some women agreed they had some obstacles and issues, while others completely disagreed. Most respondents believed that material availability is a constraint in performing these activities (M = 4.41; SD = 0.570). Most respondents believed that training is necessary for women’s vocational activities (M = 3.96, SD = 2.613). The average woman strongly agrees that training and vocational activities are critical because they help them manage their stuff and sell it at a good price. Most respondents believed their work yielded a profit (M = 2.29) with a standard deviation of 1.176. Some women say we are making a reasonable profit, while others deny this.

Discussion

Results illustrate that most respondents (M = 4.56) viewed agriculture as a means to elevate the economic status of women. They are capable of fulfilling their fundamental needs through cultivation. Its agricultural output consists of wheat, barley, pulses, and vegetables. Kurniawan et al. (2023) supported this result by dividing the economy into two sub-economies, rural and urban, based on the settlement’s size and economic activities. The primary source of agricultural activity in the rural economy. According to Ofosu et al. (2020), people living in the countryside primarily depend on agriculture and related activities. Currently, the agricultural sector is the source of the rural economy and has other branches. A significant proportion of the participants maintained that activities lack established standards (M = 4.45). Women viewed farming as a predominantly female activity utterly devoid of societal norms. They are capable of carrying out their agricultural duties relatively easily. The women overwhelmingly believed that established conventions do not constrain agricultural activities. According to most respondents (M = 1.53), women’s hijabs constituted an impediment.

In contrast, most women believed that a veil does not serve as an impediment. M = 4.42 indicates that most respondents believed women to have unrestricted mobility. The women unanimously agreed that shifting from their village to any other location would not be difficult. No mobility issues exist. A significant proportion of the participants (M = 1.49) believed that women’s transportation poses an obstacle. In contrast to most women’s belief, transportation is not a barrier. Women have effortless mobility. Transportation does not pose an obstacle or difficulty. Most respondents (M = 4.44) asserted that women face no obstacles when engaging with and confronting the market. Women can procure related items at the market with relative ease.

Results show that a significant proportion of participants (M = 4.47) believed that livestock was within reach of women. All the women agreed that raising livestock could significantly boost their income. Livestock ownership can assist them in augmenting their income and fulfilling their fundamental needs. As most respondents perceive (M = 1.58), the variety of livestock women maintain is paramount. The women own buffaloes, cows, livestock, and goats. Most respondents (M = 1.72) assumed that women perform livestock-related tasks. Women perform various livestock-related tasks, including fodder cutting, watering, feeding, transporting, and dun cake preparation. The role of women in livestock management is unavoidable. Most women spend their daily time performing dairy and poultry-related activities, such as bathing and grazing animals, cutting and chopping fodder, cleaning sheds, collecting cow dung, making cakes, etc. (Afzal et al., 2024). Women participate in animal and agricultural tasks such as animal production, poultry production, and agricultural production. A large number of women in the province of Punjab (Pakistan) participate in animal welfare and crop production. Unfortunately, they do not have enough information about their work (Andaleeb et al., 2017). Rural Pakistani women are important livestock and poultry managers. However, they often overlook important decisions related to family and livestock issues. Livestock and poultry farming are considered the domestic responsibilities of women, according to Afzal et al. (2024).

Most respondents (M = 4.44) advocated women’s right to sell their products. Women unanimously concur that selling their products would be simple. In addition to routine work, women are often responsible for difficult tasks, such as marketing, curing sick animals, and breeding animals (Bayu, 2018). Most respondents (M = 3.24) perceived restrictions on women’s ability to maintain livestock. The constraints associated with livestock ownership include a scarcity of sizable cattle farms and veterinary facilities. Approximately 4.37% of respondents believed that modern technology would guarantee WP. All the women agreed that modern technology could significantly improve the health and yield of their crops, providing them with an advantage in this regard. Similarly, the provincial socioeconomic disparity widened as agricultural development policies promoted green revolution technology, favouring irrigated areas such as Punjab and Sindh.

Policies promoting green revolution technology also led to a similar disparity in India (Pingali, 2012). Most respondents (M = 4.30) believed that WP in livestock and agriculture would increase production because an increase in the labour force inevitably leads to greater output. As indicated by most respondents (M = 3.69), women possess a certain degree of autonomy in decision-making. Despite Pakistan being predominantly a patriarchal society, the majority of women in the Chakwal district exercise autonomy in matters of agriculture, livestock, and vocational pursuits. The most prevalent sentiment among the respondents (M = 4.45) was that society recognises and appreciates women’s social standing. Typically, men disapprove, but in Chakwal, it is acceptable for women to labour alongside their male partners. Women were adamant that society should recognise their social standing. As indicated by most respondents (M = 3.38), women have a greater influence on the decision-making process. Among the respondents (M = 4.43), women play a substantial role in the advancement of rural areas. Women are indispensable for any nation’s advancement. In the present research, women agreed that they play an important role in RD. Most respondents (M = 4.50) state that livestock production generates income.

The consensus among women was that livestock production yields immediate financial gain by enabling them to manufacture various products, including yogurt, milk, butter, poultry, and eggs. Livestock is the only source of milk, red meat, yogurt, cheese, or butter. Animal farming and related activities directly or indirectly involve almost 35 million people (Holman, 2017). The prevailing opinion among the respondents (M = 4.53) was that women’s involvement alleviates financial strain. There was widespread agreement among women that working alongside their companions can significantly impact their income and contribute significantly to generating additional funds. A study by Panhwar et al. (2021) supports this finding, stating that embroidery is a prominent occupation of women in the district of Larkana, particularly due to the ancient civilisation of Moen-jo-Daro. Undoubtedly, most of the population works in agricultural professions because agriculture is the backbone of our economy. In the study area, participants primarily relied on agriculture for their income.

In addition to agriculture, we observe that employment in various sectors, including public and private institutes, is the second main source of income. Every year, a growing number of students, following their intermediate and graduating years, secure positions in the teaching field at private schools. Private schools are the only option for educated girls in rural areas because no other institutions provide them with jobs (Magsi et al., 2016). A significant proportion of the participants (M = 2.19) believed that women should allocate more time to vocational pursuits such as livestock husbandry, farming, and other relevant activities. The prevailing opinion among the respondents (M = 1.67) was that women residing in this rural region are involved in handicrafts, knitting, sewing, embroidery, and other vocational pursuits. Most respondents (M = 4.10) reported that various obstacles hinder women’s vocational activities. While some women concur that they face obstacles and problems, others vehemently oppose these notions. The majority of participants believed that material accessibility posed an obstacle to the execution of these tasks (M = 4.41).

A significant proportion of the participants (M = 3.96) maintained that vocational activities for women require training. The prevailing sentiment among the average woman is that training and vocational activities are of the utmost importance, as they enable them to manage their possessions and sell them for profitable prices effectively. A significant proportion of the participants believed that their efforts generated a profit (M = 2.29). While some women assert that our profits are satisfactory, others refute this claim.

Conclusion

RD in the Chakwal district has seen increased income generation and production activities due to WP in RD initiatives. However, technological complexity, lack of awareness, and illiteracy hinder RD. Time constraints, social conventions, and resource scarcity limit the labour force’s utilisation. To address these issues, the government should provide loans for animal purchases, impose price controls on livestock inputs, and develop training programs for female personnel and livestock extension field staff. Women’s responsibilities in caring for domesticated animals include land planning, tillage, sowing, pruning, harvesting, yield collection, threshing, transportation, stockpiling, package making, and dun cake preparation. However, female involvement in preharvest and postharvest agribusiness endeavours is restricted due to social factors.

National and government-level initiatives are needed to increase WP in farming. However, the significant contributions of patriarchal structures are often overlooked. We should establish a national commission to identify their contributions and provide the necessary training to address this issue. We should encourage farm women to explore various methods for expanding animal production. We should establish a way to empower women locally to offer services to rural women and establish women’s training centres at the national level to guide various agrarian activities. We should ensure they have access to new information and data, empowering them to collaborate with their male partners on social and financial activities at the family and national levels. Additionally, we should implement government-supported vocational training programs to educate women about their rights and opportunities in the farming sector.

Footnotes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

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