Access under Constraint: Barriers Shaping Female Participation in Higher Education in Rural Balochistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47067/ramss.v8i4.586Keywords:
Female Education, Socio-Cultural Barriers, Economic Issues, Higher Education, Pakistan, Rural BaluchistanAbstract
This study investigates the socio-cultural and economic barriers that hinder female students from accessing and continuing higher education in rural Baluchistan. Despite growing initiatives to promote female education in Pakistan, many students in rural and underdeveloped regions continue to face challenges that limit their educational attainment. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, using a structured questionnaire developed from existing literature and adapted from validated scales (Siddique et al., 2024). The target population comprised female students enrolled in colleges and universities within rural Baluchistan. A sample size of 239 respondents was determined using G*Power software and selected through simple random sampling to ensure equal representation and minimize selection bias. The questionnaire included 38 items covering nine key constructs: economic issues, early marriages, enrollment opportunities, harassment, infrastructure issues, institutional support, male dominance, socio-cultural barriers, and transportation issues. Data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for descriptive statistics, reliability, and demographic analysis, while SMART PLS 4.0 was utilized to assess the measurement and structural models. The results revealed that economic constraints, lack of institutional support, and socio-cultural barriers significantly affected female students’ ability to continue education, while issues such as early marriages and harassment also played a crucial role in discouraging higher education enrollment. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted policies and interventions to improve educational access for females in rural areas. These include enhanced institutional support systems, awareness programs to combat cultural barriers, improved transportation facilities, and financial assistance schemes. By addressing these challenges, stakeholders can promote gender equality and empower young women to pursue higher education, contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.
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