Factors Affecting Livelihood Diversification of Women of Farm Families Working in Textile Industries in Faisalabad District, Pakistan

The economy of Pakistan is agro-based, and rural women’s livelihoods are linked to men’s. In the meantime, livelihood diversification and labor mobility have impacted working men and women. This study highlights the factors influencing women’s decision-making abilities to diversify livelihood strategies from on-farm to off-farm activities in Faisalabad district, Pakistan. Two textile industries were selected in Faisalabad, and 115 females participated in the study. The interview schedule was used to elicit information from women from farm families working in the textile industries. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Most women reported that daily-based wages (85.2%), poultry (63.5%), livestock (55.7%), farming (40.9%) and casual labor (40.0%) were among the available livelihood diversification strategies in use. The foremost factors influencing the decision to engage in more sources of income were inter-role conflict (3.78±.88), family pressure (3.71±.81), and stereotypic influences (3.68±.96). It was concluded that the women who have diversified their livelihood were faced with gender-based discrimination (3.84±.67), lack of education (3.78±.73), non-cooperation of colleagues (3.77±.82), and low wages (3.69±.76) in the textile industry. The study suggested gender-friendly initiatives that will minimize conflicts and family pressures, particularly for women, as this will foster a successful livelihood diversification approach.