IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 16, Issue 2. Ver. II (Feb. 2014), PP 01-04 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Women participation in Agriculture in Pakistan (An overview of the constraint and problems faced by rural women) Dr.Rummana Zaheer*, Aniqa Zeb**, Sanam Wagma Khattak*** Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Karachi Student, department of Economics, University of Karachi Student, department of Economics, University of Karachi Abstract: Agriculture is back-bone of the Pakistan’s economy. A major part of the GDP comprises of that income which is generated by the agriculture and agro-base activities. Women are back- bone of the household economy and play a very significant role in agro-base activities in rural areas. This study consist of almost half of the population i.e. women- participation in agriculture. Data is taken from Pakistan and India in order to compare figures from both countries as both economies are similar in socio-economic cultures. Data is taken from1990 to 2012. This paper also covers the reasons of fluctuation in women employment in agriculture and measures which concerned authorities should adopt in order to increases not only participation but also productivity of female labor. Key words: agriculture, education, economy, fluctuations, problems, productivity, significant I. Introduction: This topic is chosen to describe women are the majority of the population in Pakistan and they play a very significant role in every field of life. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in the Pakistan economy. As agricultural activities are conducted in the rural areas of the country women play a pivotal part in agriculture and agro-base other activities. The productive work done within the agriculture fields by women has been ignored and not much attempt has been made to incorporate the value of such activities within the national accounts. This is the main reason behind the exceptionally low female labor participation rate of 18.93% compared to 71.97% for men in Pakistan (GOP, 2007). 79% of rural female population is engaged in agriculture as against 61% of rural male population. (FAO) This paper consists abstract of review of literature, data and analysis, comparison of contribution of women between Pakistan India; comparison is on the basis of female labor participation in agriculture. In the second last section conclusion of the study and recommendations and last section of the paper is references. II. Review of Literature: The female segment forms about 50 percent of the total population of the country, whereas its formal participation in economic activities is minimal (Pakistan Economic Survey: 2007-2008). There is a widespread conception that compared to other regions in the world, women in WANA have a very marginal role in employment in all sectors of the economy including that of agriculture, and that they participate mostly in consumption and reproductive activities from within the boundaries of their household and under the dictatorship of male members of the family. Whether this conception is true, or whether women play more significant roles in the food production systems in WANA. (CGIAR Gender Program, working paper no.10) (Tanzeel, Imran 2012) Female work more than male in farming but they do not get proper food and medical treatment and deprive from many basic necessities of life. Gender discrimination on the basis of socially constructed moralities and duties are very common in Pakistan. This study highlighted that the role of women in agricultural development is not limited and women„s role in agriculture sector should be realized. There should be some laws for the protection of women‟s rights on prior level that could not be violated at any cost. Women farmers need to learn skills for improved agricultural operations and for better post harvest practices and storage. (Razia Begum, Ghazala Yasmeen2011) Agriculture is major sector of not only Pakistan but of all developing and less developed countries and a large portion of the population of these countries is engaged in agriculture and agro based activities. Women, which are the almost half of the population are as important labor force of the agriculture sector as men but their importance is not recognized in our country as it should be. There constraints