Pakistan stands among the worst performers when it comes to the equal opportunities for women. The Sustainable Development Goals (2015-30) have rightly prioritized women’s empowerment to provide them with equal opportunities. The empowerment of women brings about significant positive changes in the socio-economic aspects of the family and women’s status. The patriarchal nature, socio-cultural conditions and feudalistic mode of fabrication in Pakistani society has always kept women marginalized and have restricted them to participate along-with men in communal activities. This study was conducted in Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At the first stage, a purposeful sampling technique was applied, and then convenience sampling was used for final data collection. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview guide, Students, government staff and employees of private organizations were involved. The study shows that socio-cultural factors have significant implications for the development of gender and empowerment of women. Keywords: women development, women empowerment, culture and religion, women and culture