IMPACT OF ELECTRICITY AVAILABILITY ON RURAL WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN HUNZA, GILGIT- BALTISTAN

Abstract

Electricity is a substantial requirement for the development of a community in this modern era, and women as an essential part of society are also influenced by the availability of electricity because the availability of modern technology has led to several changes in their lives. Hence, there are no prior studies that have specifically, examined the impact of electricity availability on rural women empowerment in Hunza. Therefore, this cross-sectional study analyzed the impact of electricity availability on rural women empowerment in Hunza by developing a conceptual model using Partial Least Square equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Through the questionnaire survey data were collected from 354 women in Hunza. The hypotheses were validated by implementing structural equation modeling. The outcomes reveal a noteworthy favorable influence of electricity availability on rural women’s empowerment. The study's findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics between electricity access and women's empowerment in rural contexts, particularly in regions like Hunza. Collectively, the findings underscore the significance of electricity availability in shaping economic, educational, decision-making, and time allocation opportunities for rural women, thus highlighting its crucial role in fostering their empowerment in communities like Hunza.