This paper explores the vital contributions of indigenous knowledge and practices among home-based women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, emphasizing their role in fostering sustainability across generations. Through a qualitative approach, the study involved fifty-six semi-structured interviews with women from diverse ethnic backgrounds to examine their sustainable practices rooted in indigenous knowledge. Thematic coding and QDA Miner Lite software were used for data analysis, revealing key contributions and challenges in preserving these practices. Findings highlight significant contributions across various social themes: Environmental Sustainability, Poverty Alleviation, Physical and Mental Health, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Economic Freedom, and Water and Sanitation. Each theme corresponds to specific activities or values, illustrating their prevalence within the community. For example, women's entrepreneurial roles and handicrafts enhance Environmental Sustainability, while resource conservation efforts aid Poverty Alleviation. Emotional stability and indigenous practices promote health, and Quality Education is enriched by values like kindness. Economic freedom is linked to labor roles and educational opportunities, with water provision addressing community needs. Overall, these interconnected themes underscore the impact of home-based women in enhancing well-being and sustainability, suggesting that recognizing their roles can lead to effective strategies for promoting gender equality and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Keywords: Women inclusion, community empowerment, ethnographic research, Participatory approach, Sustainability
JEL Classifications: O13, Q01, Q56, Z13, J15, J16, O44, R11
DOI #: 10.33818/ier.1479741
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* Dr Taseer Salahuddin, Associate Professor, Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Post-doctoral Fellow, Ibn Haldun University, Türkiye. drtaseer@gscwu.edu.pk ORCID 0000-0002-5098-893X