Impact of BISP on Household Decision Making of Women in District Bahawalnagar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/rl.2025.43088Keywords:
BISP, Social Safety Nets, Women Empowerment, Unconditional Cash Transfer, Poverty Alleviation, economic WelfareAbstract
Social safety nets play a crucial role in reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion by providing financial assistance to vulnerable populations. BISP aims to alleviate poverty, improve access to healthcare, and enhance living standards among disadvantaged women through regular financial support. This study evaluates the impact of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), an unconditional cash transfer initiative, on the socio-economic welfare and decision-making capacity of women in District Bahawalnagar. The research adopts a quantitative approach to assess the program’s effects before and after implementation. Key welfare indicators analysed include monthly household expenditures, children’s education, food and clothing affordability, and women’s participation in social and financial household decision-making. Data were collected through structured interviews using a standardized questionnaire, with a sample of 384 BISP beneficiaries. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing Chi-square tests to examine relationships between variables and T-tests for comparative analysis of pre- and post-program outcomes. The results indicate a significant positive impact of BISP on women’s socio-economic status, particularly in enhancing their role in household decisions. The study concludes that BISP contributes meaningfully to women's empowerment and improved welfare in low-income communities.
References
Coady, D., Grosh, M., & Hoddinott, J. (2004). Targeting of transfers in developing countries: Review of lessons and experience. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/0-8213-5769-7
Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance. (2015). Pakistan economic survey 2014–15. Islamabad: Finance Division. http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey_1415.html
Iqbal, T., Farooq, S., & Padda, I. U. H. (2021). Can empowerment be enhanced by putting cash in the hands of poor women? Learning from Pakistan’s BISP program. European Journal of Development Research, 33(3), 760–792. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-020-00320-w
Jamal, H., & Policy, S. (2010). A profile of social protection in Pakistan: An appraisal of empirical literature. Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan: Social Policy and Development Centre. http://pide.org.pk/pdf/Working%20Paper/WorkingPaper-64.pdf
Majlesi, K. (2016). Labor market opportunities and women’s decision-making power within households. Journal of Development Economics, 119, 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2015.10.002
Mumtaz, Z., & Whiteford, P. (2017). Social safety nets in the development of a welfare system in Pakistan: an analysis of the Benazir Income Support Programme. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 39(1), 16–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2017.1290902
Naseer, Z., Hu, H., Yaseen, M., & Tariq, M. (2021). Rural women empowerment through social protection programs: A case of Benazir income support programme in Punjab, Pakistan. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 20(2), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2020.11.005
Princewill, C. W., Jegede, A. S., Nordström, K., Lanre-Abass, B., & Elger, B. S. (2017). Factors affecting women’s autonomous decision making in research participation amongst Yoruba women of western Nigeria. Developing World Bioethics, 17(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1111/dewb.12112
Qadoos, H. B., Javid, A. Y., & Armughan, F. (2023). Investigating Financial Inclusion and Saving behavior: Case of BISP Beneficiaries 11(8),22-27.
Safilios-Rothschild, C. (2012). Female power, autonomy and demographic change in the Third World. In Womens' Roles and Population Trends in the Third World (pp. 117-132). Routledge.
Tahir, M. W., Kauser, R., Bury, M., & Bhatti, J. S. (2018, May). ‘Individually-led’or ‘female-male partnership ‘models for entrepreneurship with the BISP support: The story of women's financial and social empowerment from Pakistan. In Women's Studies International Forum 68(4), 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2018.01.011
Waqas, M., & Awan, M. S. (2019). Do cash transfers effect women empowerment? Evidence from Benazir Income Support Program of Pakistan. Women's Studies, 48(7), 777-792. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00497878.2019.1666007
World Bank. (2011). World development report 2012: Gender equality and development. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8825-9
