Feminization of Poverty: A Case Study of Hazara Division of Pakistan

The present study aims at to analyze the feminization poverty in Hazara Division of Khyber PakhtunKhwa province of Pakistan. Sample of 200 respondents both from rural as well as urban has been selected for 50 female headed house holds and 150 male headed house holds. The study employs logistic regression estimation technique to find the correlates of poverty. The findings of study suggest that probability of a house hold being poor is positively and significantly correlated with house hold size, dependency ratio, and single parenthood, living of house hold head in rural area, female headed house hold ship. Variables that are negatively and significantly correlated with probability of being poor are: Age of house hold head, Secondary and post secondary education, employment and residing in urban area. The study recommends policy interventions necessary to reduce poverty particularly focusing female-headed households including direct transfer of cash to such families and access to free education to their children.