Women’s Right of Inheritance

Choices and Challenges in Punjab

Abstract

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Women‟s right of inheritance is an indispensable right which assures their socioeconomic and political empowerment. Although the Shari„ah law and the constitution of Pakistan safeguard this right, its denial is pervasive in Punjab. This paper explores the possible choices for women and subsequent challenges they confront in independently exercising these choices. The chosen methodology is qualitative in nature. The ontological stance of interpretive school and epistemological stance of social constructionist school of thought have been followed. Through theoretical sampling technique, thirty women were recruited as sample from Mianwali, Rahim Yar Khan and Lahore. Data was collected through an in-depth interview guide and the results have been derived through thematic analysis. The findings of the study portray the contemporary trend among women in Punjab to surrender their right of inheritance in favor of the male agnatic heirs. Among the socio-cultural determinants influencing the choices of women, patriarchal set-up, misinterpretation of divine commands, lack of awareness, stringent legal procedures and lower educational levels are the most significant. The study recommends effective awareness about inheritance rights both through accessible legal procedures and with the promotion of female education so that females be able to make informed choices