Women empowerment in conflict zones: A Narrative of Temporarily Dislocated Persons in FATA, Pakistan.

Abstract

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas have historically functioned with no formal socio-political controls from an external government. The people have their own customs and laws, and no significant efforts have been made to engage them on equal footing. With the rise of terrorism, this region came under the international spotlight and government, military and non-government mechanisms attempted, too little, too late, to curb the spread of militancy and violence. The people of FATA have been prone to radicalization because of their poverty stricken and marginalized status, and women particularly are a vulnerable group. The large female population in a patriarchal society is also the key to accessing and reforming households in an area where terrorism has disrupted the very fabric of society. The key question therefore is whether women can be empowered to become self-sustaining individuals, in an effort towards nation-building? This would have long term impact on the role these women play within the home as well as the community at large, and effectively help develop, connect and integrate FATA with the larger region and country by creating economic interdependency. This study focuses exclusively on women from TDP camps near Bannu and measures their potential for empowerment in the post-conflict context. It uses primary data as well as interviews and case studies, triangulated through quantitative as well as qualitative analysis to affirm that yes, there is great potential to empower women towards self sustainability, with small scale schemes and interventions already in place. However, there needs to be greater focus on psychosocial interventions, or psychosocial aspects must be intentionally integrated into economic schemes. Skill development and vocational training would also go a long way in empowering these women. Although this study is derived from a small sample of the overall TDP population, it is hoped that results can be extrapolated to encourage formal government and civil society initiatives to design and implement economic and psychosocial interventions across the region. It is hoped that these will prove a long term investment in combating the threats of militancy and terrorism, and in integrating the region as a whole into mainstream Pakistan.