RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG WOMEN BENEFICIRIES OF BENAZIR INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAME (BISP)

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between socio economic status and women empowerment. This study was conducted from Karachi city . The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the large-scale public sector program in Pakistan that targets the poor women by providing unconditional cash transfers which is an effort of women empowerment and poverty alleviation. Present study is an attempt to examine that BISP’s beneficiary’s empowerment and those who get cash transfers but not empowered due to interference of male family members. No significant research has ever been compiled to measure the degree. Sample of the present study is comprised 80 women empowered beneficiaries =40 ( M=25.23,SD=3.01), while without empowered beneficiaries = 40 (M= 27.12,SD= 2.42) of ages 18 to above those who have national identity cards holders. All Participants of the study were selected from beneficiaries of BISP. The measures were used: a) Personal information form and b)Self-designed closed ended Questionnaire: Part 1 women empowerment with (11 items) part 2. Socio- economic condition with (8 items) schedules for interviews. Research data was statistically examined through descriptive statistic and Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to find out the effect of socio- economic status and its relationship with or without empowerment. Findings showed that those women who are dependent on male family members are not empowered which is immense problem to alleviate the poverty.