Crossroads of Culture and Education: The Evolving Role of Socio-Cultural Norms in Women Empowerment Through Education in the Tribal Belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Authors

  • Mahnaz Iqbal Yousafzai PhD Scholar, Department of Education, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Irshad Ullah Associate Professor, Department of Education, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Ahmad Ali Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Sameer Ul Khaliq Jan Lecturer, Department of Social Work, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62997/psi.2025a-41066

Keywords:

Education, Socio-Cultural Norms, Women Empowerment

Abstract

The current study focuses on the crossroads of culture and education and the evolving role of sociocultural norms in women's empowerment through education in the tribal belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prime objective of the study is to identify the key social factors that are empowering women through the social and cultural values in the study area. The nature of the study is qualitative, whereas the data was collected from 08 respondents through open-ended, in-depth interviews. The data was collected from the school principal and concerned DEOs. The collected data were then analyzed and presented in the form of themes. The analyzed data reveal that education empowers women and can bring positive change in society. It also reveals that education is the source of cultural transformation and empowers women by bringing positive change in the culture and well-being. The analyzed data reveal that education empowers women in decision-making about all spheres of life. The study recommended that awareness workshops and seminars should be conducted in the community regarding the importance of education, and religious members and local leaders should be included in these seminars and workshops.

Author Biography

  • Mahnaz Iqbal Yousafzai, PhD Scholar, Department of Education, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

    Corresponding Author: mahnaziqbal76@gmail.com

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Published

2025-03-30

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Articles

How to Cite

Yousafzai, M. I., Ullah, H. M. . I., Ali, A., & Jan, S. U. K. (2025). Crossroads of Culture and Education: The Evolving Role of Socio-Cultural Norms in Women Empowerment Through Education in the Tribal Belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. ProScholar Insights, 4(1), 227-235. https://doi.org/10.62997/psi.2025a-41066