Determinants of Female Labor Force Participation in District Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

The main aims of the study to examine determinant of female labor force participation (FLFP) in Mardan Division. The data was gathered through questionnaire from 377 working females. This study found that the majority of working female live in rural area and married and have master or BS (16-year education) degree or above and earn 21,000 to 30,000 (PKR) per month to fulfillment of her basic necessities. This study also found that the majority of females families have other occupations then agriculture and business related, lives in their own houses (mostly 10 Marla), and does not have agriculture land but have nonagricultural land. Similarly, the majority of female respondent have up to 2 children, and going to school. Furthermore, the electricity, water, telephone/mobile, car for personal use, and refrigerator are available in the majority of respondents home. The majority of female respondents’ household expenditure fulfills through household head income, but the female workers income has significantly contributed in the family expenditure. However, the majority of female are working because their husbands are unemployed. Similarly, the majority of agree with that the women are working for higher standard living, social welfare of people, giving her children better life, to become a role model to society, better old age, her identity, to build stronger social connections, good social status, and utilizing knowledge, while, disagree with that the woman are working for fashion. Therefore, this study concluded the demographic, financial and social factors are the main determinants of female labor force participation in District Mardan. This study recommended that government gives more employment opportunities for female and makes policy regarding the FLFP.