Addressing Gender Gaps in Education as a Strategy for Poverty Alleviation in Rural Pakistan

Atif Khan Jadoon and Sidera Liaquat
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Atif Khan Jadoon: Department of Economics, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sidera Liaquat: Department of Economics, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), 2025, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-8

Abstract: This paper aims to examine the impact of gender inequality in education on poverty levels in rural Pakistan. Gender inequality in education has long been recognized as a critical social issue, but its direct influence on economic outcomes like poverty remains underexplored, especially in rural contexts. This study employs an empirical analysis to investigate how disparities in educational access between males and females affect poverty rates in rural areas. The findings reveal that gender inequality in education has a significant and adverse effect on poverty reduction efforts. Specifically, results indicate that the female-to-male enrolment ratio and fertility rates both exhibit a negative correlation with poverty, suggesting that higher female enrollment and lower fertility rates are associated with reduced poverty in rural communities. Additionally, the analysis shows that female labor force participation has a strong yet positive relationship with the probability of poverty. This positive association suggests that while more women participating in the workforce could theoretically reduce poverty, structural factors in rural Pakistan, such as low wages and limited job opportunities, may lead to limited income improvements despite higher participation rates. The inverse relationship between gender inequality in education and poverty underscores the critical role education plays in providing women with greater employment prospects and, consequently, reducing poverty in rural Pakistan. The findings highlight the need for policies that address gender disparities in education, not only as a matter of social equity but also as a strategic means to alleviate poverty. This research contributes to the broader discourse on the intersections of education, gender, and economic well-being, emphasizing that bridging the gender gap in education is key to fostering inclusive economic development in Pakistan's rural areas.

Keywords: gender inequality; level of education; rural poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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