INVESTIGATING SOCIO-ECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF POLITICAL AWARENESS AMONG WOMEN IN RURAL PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of socio-economic factors on political awareness among rural
women in Punjab, Pakistan. The study uses primary data collected through a multi-stage sampling
technique from three districts (Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad) to examine the influence of
family background, education level, income and wealth, occupational prestige, and power and
authority on political awareness. Political awareness is assessed by examining knowledge of
political parties, manifestoes, and leadership. 1500 responses are collected out of which 1382 are
deemed suitable for analysis. A 6-point Likert scale survey questionnaire is used to collect the data
Data analysis using MS Excel, SPSS 24, and SmartPLS software, and applying regression analysis
reveals a significant relationship between socio-economic context and political awareness. The study
finds that women from educated and affluent families are more politically aware, as their
backgrounds encourage education and social networking. Additionally, women exercising personal
power and authority are more engaged in political discussions. Occupational prestige and wealth
further enhance political awareness by enabling active participation in community and political
activities. Overall, the study underscores the critical role of socio-economic factors in shaping
political awareness among rural women in Punjab, highlighting the importance of a supportive
family background, education, and economic stability in fostering informed political participation.