EMPOWERED OR MARGINALIZED? EXPLORING THE JOURNEY OF PAKISTANI WOMEN THROUGH KHULA IN MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This research analyzes how sociocultural and economic conditions affect woman’s standing and marriage satisfaction levels in District Mandi Bahauddin City Pakistan through a study of gender roles, Khula initiatives and divorce stigma. A qualitative research design was used to collect data through in-depth interviews with 37 respondents: Research participants included women seeking or obtaining Khula in addition to related men and interviews conducted with their family members while components such as legal experts and religious authorities together with community leaders also contributed responses. The study deliberately chose specific data that showed diverse viewpoints followed by thematic analysis to understand these datasets. Research finds that emotional neglect along with financial problems and patriarchal systems leading to conservative gender role expectations are the main causes for women’s marital dissatisfaction. In their decision to seek a Khula, women responded to domestic violence and economic and emotional abuse yet they maintained agency through societal stigma obstacles. Men supported traditional gender divisions yet they pressurized women more than necessary to work harder to sustain marital harmony. Research on women's resistance to oppressive relationships after divorce uses feminist theory together with symbolic interactionism and social exchange theory as its foundational theoretical framework. The study conducted about South Asia's gender relations within marriage demands both structural adjustment of gender inequalities and cultural progression to bolster women empowerment.

Keywords: Socio Culture, Khula, Economy, Women, Marital Relationship, Satisfaction