BETWEEN DUTY AND DIRECTION: WOMEN LEADING CHANGE IN RURAL SINDH

Abstract

This qualitative research investigates the leadership journey of women in Khairpur Mirs, a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan, where traditional norms and gendered expectations often restrict women’s public roles. While equality has gained global momentum, rural patriarchal settings continue to limit women’s participation in leadership and decision making. Through purposive and snowball sampling, ten women leaders, spanning NGOs, educational institutions, and local governance bodies were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Their narratives, analysed using inductive thematic analysis, revealed four major themes: negotiating family expectations, managing dual identities, reshaping self-perceptions, and influencing community perspectives. Participants shared how they balance leadership responsibilities with cultural expectations, often drawing on familial alliances or quiet resistance to maintain legitimacy and social acceptance. Despite societal barriers, these women act as change agents within their communities, challenging stereotypes and encouraging gradual shifts in gender norms. Their lived experiences underscore a powerful narrative of resilience and adaptation, offering valuable insights for gender policy, community development, and leadership training initiatives in similar contexts. This study highlights the complex interplay between, tradition, and agency in rural Pakistan, contributing to the broader discourse on women’s empowerment in culturally conservative societies.