BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY RURAL FEMALES IN ACCESSING HIGHER EDUCATION IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the challenges girls had to face to get higher education. The study focused on the many cultural barriers and challenges females faced. A quantitative approach was adopted to know about the experiences of respondents in getting admission to universities. Females from rural areas (N=548) with intermediate degrees and no university admission were used as the study sample. This research used a logistic regression analysis to examine the factors influencing the decision to pursue higher education among females residing in rural areas. The findings of this study highlight the significant impact that financial constraints, cultural obstacles, and limited transportation options have on the educational ambitions of females residing in rural areas. Although the statistical significance of "Early marriage" is relatively low, with a p-value of 0.063, indicating a slight impact, the transformation may be ascribed to the creating of many institutions in prominent urban areas via the Higher Education Commission's (HEC) efforts. It has allowed women to pursue higher education at a university in their city or a neighboring one. The university's affordable tuition, availability of scholarships, convenient transit options, and favorable environment are factors that attract a significant number of female students. However, the march towards higher education institutions has been marked by a prolonged fight for women.