Role of Women in Tourism: A Study of Upper Chitral KPK

Abstract

This study examined the influence of socio cultural factors and gendered barriers on women’s participation in the tourism industry in Upper Chitral, Pakistan. Using a quantitative research design and survey data from 101 respondents, the analysis employed descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multivariate linear regression to test two hypotheses: (H1) there is an association between socio cultural factors and women participation in tourism industry, and (H2) there is an association between gendered barriers and women participation in tourism industry. The findings reveal that more than two thirds of participants acknowledged intimidation and harassment as critical barriers, while purdah was reported to provide psychological comfort but simultaneously restrict professional opportunities. Structural challenges including reliance on male family members for mobility, lack of confidence in dealing with male clients, limited access to raw materials, poor infrastructure, and low technological awareness were identified as major obstacles. Regression results demonstrated strong statistical support for both hypotheses, with socio cultural factors explaining 71.6% of the variance and gendered barriers explaining 70.1% of the variance in women’s participation. Interpreted through Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical lens, the results indicate that women’s restricted participation is not only a consequence of individual limitations but also a product of entrenched symbolic violence, habitus, and unequal distribution of social and cultural capital. The study concludes that women’s agency in Upper Chitral’s tourism industry is systematically curtailed by patriarchal norms, structural deficiencies, and socio cultural expectations. These findings highlight the need for policy interventions that address cultural transformation, infrastructural development, and capacity building to promote equitable participation of women in tourism.