Commentary] Commentary on Sociocultural Beliefs and Systems Restricting Women’s Access to their Marital Property Rights in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper examines the sociocultural beliefs and systems that restrict women’s access to their marital property rights in Pakistan. Despite constitutional and legal provisions that allow women the absolute right to own, acquire, inherit, and control property, there is a stark contradiction between individual beliefs and communal practices. The paper explores the parallel states of cognitive dissonance and consonance that arise from this contradiction, where positive awareness and attitude towards women accessing marital property do not translate into action. The paper also discusses the enculturation of belief systems, the epistemological role of power, misogyny, and patriarchy, and lastly, the role of cognitive empathy in catalysing action. The findings of this study have important implications for understanding the systemic barriers to women’s economic empowerment and security in Pakistan.