Empowering Rural Women through Microfinance and Skills Development: Evidence from the Sarhad Rural Support Program in District Karak

Abstract

This study examines how the Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP) has succeeded in enhancing access to microfinance and skill development opportunities by women in the District Karak to get employment. Pakistan has a high level of socio-cultural restrictions among rural women restricting their economic activities. Vocational training and financial assistance are some of the SRSP interventions that will help women to become more skilled, confident, and independent. Considering it to be a qualitative study, the study utilized primary data in the form of 12 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) using 30 participants of Tehsil Karak and Tehsil Takht-e-Nasrati. The information was gathered using the Pashto language and then translated into English. Thematic analysis revealed that there were ten major themes, which are skill development, entrepreneurship by microfinance, income generating, household decision-making, collaboration, community recognition, psychological empowerment, cultural barriers, financial independence, intergenerational influence, and sustainable empowerment. The results mean that the economic contribution, self-confidence, and social identity of women have improved greatly owing to the program of SRSP. This paper builds on Microfinance Theory and Women Empowerment Theory by citing how well-planned interventions can facilitate sustainable socio-economic development in conservative rural setting.