Abstract:
Gender inequality is a worldwide human rights issue but it is more prevalent in developing
countries such as Pakistan. Due to social, cultural and religious perceptions, women are
generally considered as having a lower status in society. For this reason, despite making up
nearly half of the total population, they face unfair treatment in every walk of life and
experience greater inequality in access to health and education. This is more common in poor
or lower income households than middle class or higher. Due to lack of schooling and limited
opportunities as a result, most poverty-stricken women are forced to work as household
domestic workers in order to support their families on minimum wages or less with no social
security coverage.
"Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world; when women participate
in the economy, everyone benefits."
(Hillary Clinton)
There is a dire need to socially and economically empower women from poor backgrounds so
that they can become self-reliant and raise their voices against injustices. The main objective of
this thesis is to propose a vocational training and healthcare center for such women to enhance
their livelihood opportunities and provide them with basic healthcare facilities. It would also
serve as a gathering platform for the women to interact with one another and socially uplift
them.
The center would target less privileged women in the urban setting and give them an identity
and a sense of self. It would offer them the opportunity to learn and develop different skills for
better income-earning prospects. The program would focus on gender sensitive spaces and
provide a secure environment for learning and healing. It would also contribute towards the
creation of social bonds to result in a sense of community. The design would be based on
vernacular strategies in order to have a stronger cultural association with the area and the
users. The center would aim to not only improve the financial and health conditions of women
but also their image in the community.
