Factors Influencing Rural Women Participation in Decision Making Regarding Livestock Management

Women in rural areas play a significant role as caretakers of livestock in Pakistan and their involvement was greater than men. They wake up too early in the morning and constantly perform their work until night.   They do many activities like cutting and chopping of fodder, animals feeding, watering, milking, processing animal products, cleaning of animal shed and care the health of animals. Anyhow, their participation in decision making about these actions is questionable. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to find out the involvement of rural women regarding decision-making in management of livestock. About 160 females respondent were selected randomly through multistage sampling procedure in Tehsil Dera Ghazi Khan.  The data was gathered through structured interview schedule and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Our results showed that the key elements that impacted in decision making about the participation of rural women were, low education, lack of knowledge, male dominancy, cultural barrier, lack of awareness, low income status, less age, traditional belief, resistance from family members  and females violated by their rights. Their involvement can be enhanced by providing of education facilities, establishment of training programs, government focus on rural women problems and promulgation of awareness.