Women's economic empowerment : Balochistan - evaluation report

Besides a higher incidence of poverty than other provinces, Balochistan also exhibits a higher level of gender disparity due to lack of education and conservative social norms. According to the Labor Force Survey 2010-11, Balochistan's female labor force participation was at six percent. This is much lower than the national average of 15 percent or that of Punjab at 20 percent. Most women lack mobility and are largely homebound. Even women who are involved in agricultural activities serve as unpaid family workers and their ownership of important assets or land appears to be extremely limited. While homebound, the women of Balochistan inherit a rich tradition of embroidery. The quality of the embroidery is borne out by its demand from within the province as well as from other parts of the country.