FROM MARGINS TO MAINSTREAM: INTEGRATING GENDER INTO POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR PAKISTAN'S UNDERSERVED REGIONS

Abstract

Pakistan exhibits persistent multidimensional poverty concentrated in marginalized regions including Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rural Sindh and southern Punjab. This paper examines how gender inequality shapes poverty patterns and explores women's empowerment as a poverty reduction mechanism. Drawing on household survey data and empirical studies, the analysis reveals multidimensional poverty over 63% in Balochistan's mountainous districts and exceeding 50% in large parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rural Sindh. Gender disparities compound these regional inequalities such as women face severe restrictions in education, employment, asset ownership and decision-making. Evidence demonstrates that women's empowerment through education, income control and participatory decision-making significantly reduces household poverty. Microfinance, livelihood programmes and skills training show poverty-reducing effects when designed with explicit gender components. However, macro-level analysis indicates financial development and economic growth may exacerbate inequality without gender-responsive reforms. The paper argues that poverty eradication in marginalized regions requires integrating gender equality into measurement frameworks, education policies, labour market interventions, financial systems and legal reforms.