Women join male-dominated work force in Pakistan's conservative Sindh province

Karachi, Jul 16 (PTI) Women from the traditionally conservative and underprivileged area of Tharparkar in Pakistan’s Sindh province have entered the male dominated work force in the desert area that can potentially bring “a socio-economic transformation.”
     As many as 70 women are now working as dump truck drivers while 21 others are in the solar maintenance department.
     Saima Junejo is among the 70 women who are working as heavy dump truck drivers in the Tharparkar Thar Block II Project, managed by the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company.
     “These women have undergone training in their respective fields before they were given employment,” said Umair Pervez Khan, secretary of the Consortium of Asia Pacific Studies (CAPS) that is involved in their training.
     “The aim is for inclusion of women in sustainable development projects,” he added.
     Junejo, who has basic education, recalled how her two brothers supported her despite her parents being reluctant to allow her to become a dump truck driver.
     Belonging to Umerkot, about 300 kms from here, Saima is in Karachi for work. “Women in rural areas need to be involved in different work areas if Pakistan is to undergo a socio-economic transformation,” she said.
     “There is an acceptance in our jobs as truck drivers. Initially, it did seem strange but now, it is a routine for all of us,” she said.
     Khan said the women are being trained in different sectors, including textile, security and energy.
     In fact, he added that 191 female police officers have recently also trained and joined Sindh's CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) security force.
     “It is about challenging gender norms in traditionally conservative areas and opening new employment opportunities in a male-dominated fields,” he said.
     Women are being encouraged to enter into usually male dominated work areas even in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, he added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)