Examining the Role of Women-Jirga in Mitigating Cultural Challenges Faced by Women: A Case Study of Khwendo-Jirga in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Since 2013

In patriarchal societies, women have long faced dehumanization and victimization in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and marriage, leading to deep cultural challenges. This research explores how women in Swat, Pakistan, established the Khwendo-Jirga (Sister’s Council) to challenge these cultural norms and secure their rights. By leveraging the existing power structures, these women created a platform to address the cultural challenges faced by others, challenging male-dominated discourses. The study employs qualitative content analysis based on interviews with Khwendo-Jirga activists and women who benefited from its decisions, alongside a review of secondary sources. It investigates the formation of the Khwendo-Jirga, the challenges it encountered, and its broader role in feminist discourse, particularly within Swat. The paper emphasizes the need for further research to amplify the voices of Pashtun women, whose struggles for agency and empowerment have often been overlooked.