WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOUTH PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between women’s empowerment and sustainable development, focusing on university students in Multan, Pakistan. It examines how students perceive women’s empowerment, its impact on sustainable development, and whether demographic factors such as marital status and residential background influence these perceptions. A sample of 227 students (126 single and 101 married) from government universities in Multan were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured research tool and analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and independent sample t-tests. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between women’s empowerment and sustainable development, supporting the hypothesis that gender equality is crucial for Sustained improvement in economic and social conditions. However, demographic variables, particularly the area of residence (urban & rural), do not show a statistically significant difference in perceptions of empowerment. This suggests that while students recognize systemic barriers to women’s rights—such as restricted access to education, income and leadership roles—these challenges are acknowledged across residential backgrounds.