BARRIERS TO BREAK: CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN GOVERNMENT COLLEGES OF DISTRICT BAHAWALPUR, SOUTHERN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the difficulties faced by women in pursuing higher education and their implications for career progression, to explore how the Higher Education Department supports educated women in advancing their careers and to investigate how educational status influences women’s career growth and empowerment specifically focusing on government colleges in the Bahawalpur district of South Punjab, Pakistan. The present study was quantitative in nature, for this purpose, the researcher used the probability sampling technique, specifically the stratified random proportion allocation sampling, to select 275 senior female students and 145 faculty members from the targeted government colleges. The sample was drawn systematically, considering the total population of each college to ensure representation and proportionality. Two structured questionnaires were developed to collect quantitative data. One questionnaire was designed for the female students to capture their experiences, challenges and perceptions regarding higher education and career development. The second questionnaire targeted the faculty members, focusing on their insights into institutional barriers, support mechanisms and professional challenges for women pursuing higher education and careers. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software, applying Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate analyses to interpret the responses statistically. The study revealed multiple challenges confronting women in Bahawalpur, including societal expectations, financial constraints, mobility issues, institutional inadequacies and limited career support mechanisms. Furthermore, the findings indicated that while higher education did open avenues for career development, the effectiveness of this process was significantly influenced by governmental policies, institutional support and societal attitudes. The government had implemented some initiatives aimed at supporting highly educated women, yet gaps remained in terms of practical implementation, awareness and accessibility of these programs at the grassroots level. The role of higher education emerged as a critical factor in building women's self-confidence, expanding their career choices and fostering social empowerment, but persistent socio-cultural barriers often hindered the translation of educational qualifications into meaningful career opportunities.