Empowering Marginalized Rural Females through Livestock Extension Training Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62843/jssr.v6i3.743Keywords:
Livestock Extension Education, Rural Female, Empowerment, Capacity BuildingAbstract
This study analyzed rural females’ empowerment through capacity building training offered by the Livestock and Dairy Development Department (L&DD) under the livestock extension education program, Government of the Punjab. In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 trainers and 15 females from two rural union councils of Raiwind Tehsil, District Lahore. Thematic analysis was carried out against capacity building training. Findings indicated that the capacity building training program enhanced decision making of rural females regarding their spending, purchasing power, and investment in dairy/poultry business. These females not only earned and contributed to family income but also commanded respect in family and relatives. Their training attracted other rural females to seek livestock training, implying the sustainability of the program. Married females spent the major proportion of their earnings on the education and health of their children and viewed livestock extension education as an important contributor towards their children’s better future. The findings indicated that livestock extension education helped rural females in livestock management activities, usually believed to be the domain of rural males. This implies that livestock extension training develops the capacity of rural females and imparts skills needed to carry out small-scale business activities related to dairy products. The study indicated the significance of the L&DD program in providing latest knowledge about livestock preventative and curative measures to female livestock holders. The initiative was positively received by rural females and rural males. The study recommends livestock capacity building programs in rural parts of other provinces of Pakistan for sustainable rural development.
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