MARRIED WOMEN’S LAND DEPRIVATION IN DISTRICT ASTORE, TEHSIL SHONTER A CASE STUDY OF RAHMANPUR UNION, GILGIT BALTISTAN

Abstract

This study looks into the issue of married women in the District Astore more specially, in the Rehmanpur Union, being deprived of their property. Married women in the relationship suffer considerable obstacles in obtaining and owning property, despite  being an essential member of the family and making a significant labor contribution to agriculture. For this study, data was gathered through in-depth interviews with land- deprived women in District Astore Rehmanpur Union, using a purposive sampling technique. The study illustrates how discriminatory laws, customs, and patriarchal norms contribute to deny married women the right to own land, here increasing their vulnerable and lack of empowerment. Through the interview guideline data were gathered from 15 women in the Astore Rehmanpur Union. The study’s findings show that married women still encounter major obstacles when trying exercise their entitlement to inherited land. Due to ingrained patriarchal norms and discriminatory customs, women land ownership remains a distant reality. Social hurdles, including ingrained gender prejudice, the stigma and shame attached to women owning land, cause them to be excluded from inheritance decisions. Economic obstacles, such as restricted access to jobs, education, and financial recourses, make women more susceptible to relying on male family members. The findings highlight how important land ownership is in determining women’s access to opportunities in the social, psychological, and economic spheres. Land ownership empowers women to advance their social standing, increase their psychological well-being and sense of self-worth, and exert more influence over decision- making.