Role of Civil Society in Women Empowerment during Musharraf Regime: A Case Study of Hazara Region

Abstract

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) make a difference in holistic development.
They provide development services and humanitarian relief, innovate in
service delivery, build local capacity and advocate for the poor. CSOs in
Pakistan have played its role in women’s social, economic, and political
empowerment. Unfortunately, despite the emergence of wide-spread network
of women-related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental
institutions on women’s issues, a large segment of the female population is still
struggling hard for equal status. However, it is pertinent to state that the
notion of women empowerment is deeply linked with an overall change in
society. The study aims to explain CSOs’ dynamics and their role in women
empowerment during the Musharraf regime. This study acknowledges the
status of women in Pakistan, specifically in Hazara Division, and their
empowerment through different indicators. This paper is mainly explanatory
that begins with the theoretical concepts. This study focused two NGOs
working for the women empowerment and stand on a rights -based approach
serving two categories; service delivery and policy making.