DETERMINANTS OF EMPLOYMENT OF EVER-MARRIED WOMEN- MODERATING EFFECT OF ICT: EVIDENCE FROM THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY 2017-18, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The aim of this research is to find out the determinants of employment of ever-married women in Pakistan and to see the moderating effect of ICT, using the Demographic and Health Survey of Pakistan, 2017-18. The determinants of employment of women are divided into three segments: (1) demographic and socio-economic factors, (2) cultural norms, beliefs and attitudes (women empowerment), and (3) access to institutions (credit and health). The moderating effect of ICT is then determined by creating interaction terms with women’s empowerment indicator and women’s institutional access. The research is carried out using the total women’s observations (n=15,068) and women’s questionnaire from the women’s data provided by DHS 2017-18. The empirical results of the underlying study suggest that demographic and socio-economic factors, indicators of women empowerment, and women’s access to health and financial institutions have a significant impact on employment of ever-married women. As ICT is introduced into the model, women’s empowerment increases and also makes them more capable of availing the institutional access (health and credit). The results of the study can be associated to the traditional, cultural and social factors prevalent in the patriarchal society of Pakistan where women are marginalized in terms of their restricted mobility and limited access to economic resources. However, use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has opened up innovative opportunities for women that are essential for their well-being and enhanced status in the society. Based on the findings of the research, some key policies and future line of inquiry has been put forward for policy makers and researchers such that women’s decision-making power in terms of employment and other life decisions can be improved, despite the cultural and social barriers that exist in the society.