From dependency to self-sufficiency

chambers of justice

In the rural areas of Sindh, women live in dilapidated conditions as poverty pushes households to the margins or, more precisely, the periphery of economic disempowerment. Take the story of a 38-year-old woman, Ayeza, whom I interviewed as part of the Legal Aid Society’s (LAS) research endeavours. Belonging to Larkana, the mother of four young children, and the sole breadwinner of her household, Ayeza was kind enough to share her experience regarding the process of securing and updating civil documentation, including her CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card). One’s CNIC is a fundamental requirement for all citizens, rendering them documented essentially - but, especially important for those accessing government-initiated social security schemes that provide a cushion. An example relevant to this case is funds available for women to afford necessities and household expenditures in the absence of income-generating property ownership.

At the community stitching center, Ayeza’s sister-in-law overheard whispers about a local hero named Aleem, commonly referred to as ‘the agent’- a man who helped women access their cash installments in an expedited manner. Ayeza was desperate for a lifeline; her violent and abusive husband gambled and wasted all their money, leaving her with nothing. She decided to take a chance, and with fear knotted in her stomach, she ventured to Aleem’s local shop, hoping he could be the answer to her prayers.

Ayeza clung to Aleem’s reputation of a solution. However, upon agreement, Aleem disclosed a catch: his help came with a hefty ‘cut’. To renew her CNIC and obtain B-forms for her children, Aleem demanded 2,000 rupees, assuring her the documents would need verification in Islamabad, hence justifying the extra fee. Aleem even dangled the carrot of quicker service and home delivery - for an even bigger cut. Left with no choice, Ayeza naively watched herself become entangled in Aleem’s plans. However, days turned into weeks with no update from Aleem, and his whereabouts became unknown. Meanwhile, many women, including Ayeza, were left waiting for him to fulfill his promises; community members advised her to maintain her silence, or risk losing access to her cash transfer irretrievably.

Women, desperate for faster, less complicated versions of such processes, are forced into a nightmarish reality, and offering bribes becomes the norm. The specter of widespread corruption looms over social security recipients, breeding a climate of irrational fear. Ayeza, a woman who relies on social security to run her household, embodies this fear; the mere act of speaking out, even to us, initially made her feel like her lifeline is hanging by a thread.

Ayeza’s journey through the bureaucratic labyrinth is unfortunately not a rare experience. It is a testament to the culmination of complex procedures and the lack of education among women, which makes penetrating the system nearly impossible without third-party assistance, hence leaving women vulnerable to financial exploitation. This dependency culture is one of the foremost reasons that cements their poverty cycle and obstructs their potential for economic emancipation.

Adding onto that, while restricted access itself is a problem, LAS research revealed an even more concerning issue: lack of awareness. Thirty three per cent of women surveyed were unsure how to navigate social security programs, highlighting a critical need for clear and accessible information. As per recent data, 53 per cent of women in Sindh have difficulty accessing their legal documentation and acquiring their cash installments. Furthermore, we spoke to over 730 women across Karachi, Larkana, and Nawabshah, and found that official communication, such as critical updates regarding installment releases, despite government efforts like distributing SIM cards, is practically non-existent. Instead, women rely on unreliable word-of-mouth networks, fostering more confusion, anxiety, and even panic among beneficiaries, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensible and readily available information.

“We find out from other villagers if someone has gotten their money or if the government has released funds, it’s not announced on the radio, or in mosques. Plus, our women are not literate; they could not even understand TV, news, or something written; they are just left behind.” shared a participant from Larkana.

Additionally, the LAS’ Women’s Right to Legal Property project corroborates our observations from the field: a significant education gap hinders women’s access to resources. A staggering 56 per cent of surveyed women had minimal formal education, attending school for less than five years. This low baseline knowledge makes it difficult for them to understand the documentation required for acquisition and accessing social security/financial security mechanisms.

The importance of education cannot be understated. Even limited education has a demonstrably positive impact on women’s lives; studies show that it leads to increased school enrollment for their children and greater success in acquiring property. This progress, albeit small on the larger scale in terms of the bigger change in society, underscores the critical need for educational interventions to enhance women’s engagement with social security schemes and property rights, promoting lasting and sustainable economic emancipation.

Addressing these issues warrants a multifaceted approach, with financial literacy at the forefront of interventions designed to mitigate the vulnerability of women in rural areas. The government in collaboration with civil society, should consider introducing workshops that should be all-encompassing: covering basic financial management, including the investment of cash transfers in property creation such as sewing machines, or livestock, demystifying the process of obtaining and managing CNICs, and navigating social security schemes efficiently.

The digital revolution presents exciting opportunities to bridge the gap. Voice-activated AI chatbots at ATMs, for example, could guide women through accessing their cash installments. Fintech initiatives also hold immense potential to empower women digitally, reducing dependence on traditional intermediaries. To ensure long-term success, implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms along with stricter accountability procedures on the supply side can further aid in addressing these issues at a systemic level.

Moreover, through public-private partnerships, one-stop solution centers for women can be set up in rural areas. These units can assist women with the documentation process and provide on-the-spot services for CNIC issuance/renewal and social security enrollment, including recurrent biometric and registration issues, to actualize seamless access to cash transfers for women.

Overall, concerted effort to improve women’s financial literacy, and a pledge to provide tailored and direct support, can empower women in rural Sindh. By addressing the knowledge gaps and systemic corruption, we can help ensure that women like Ayeza can finally secure their rightful benefits without falling prey to exploitation and financial 22.