Socio-economic Empowerment of Women through Apricot Farming in Hunza, Pakistan

Abstract

Hunza is an agrarian society where women are actively engaged in farming apart from looking after their homes and raising their children. Apricot farming has been practiced for here decades which women learn as a home chore just like cooking or any other work. Most families own Apricot orchards and women utilize these resources to generate income. This study seeks to explore women’s economic and social empowerment through Apricot farming in Hunza. Mix method was used to collect data. 35 women were interviewed who are involved in Apricot farming. The primary data was collected by providing single page questionnaire to the participants. Moreover, in depth Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. We used Naila Kabeer’s definition of women empowerment to relate it to our study.We defined social and economic empowerment using indicators such as mobility in community and control over the money earned from Apricot. Our findings show that through Apricot farming women in Hunza Valley experience relational aspect of empowerment. They assist each other in picking, collecting and drying they come together and they work together for hours that helps them to interact with one another. This bonding gives them confidence, networking and social capital. They have access to markets in order to sell the Apricots which indicates that they have mobility in the society. In addition, they can use the money on their own choice for family and child care.