Makran has a unique history regarding the status of women. Every woman in Panjgur has full control over the property acquired from her husband as dower and, as the Islamic law of inheritance is followed; she maybe expect in due course of time to inherit a portion of her parents property and will be entitled to a share in her husbands property if he pre-deceases her. Sometimes this ownership of property saves a women from divorce as in the situation her husband would have to transfer the property which he promised her as haq mehr. As indicating the pre-eminent position occupied by women, it may be mentioned that it has been customary to attribute the qualities of a son or daughter to the mother and not to the father.

 A few women have joined the formal sector through government jobs, specially in the field of education. Few girls are working as motivators for the Primary Education Development Project as well as for the Water and Sanitation Section of the LG&RDD. Since 1995, the government has started employing middle pass girls as women health workers under the Prime Minister’s Programme for Family Planning and Basic Health. Through these opportunities women are striving towards economic independence. But still they are either deprived of many income generating activities or being exploited by under-valuation of their economic activities. One such example is of embroidery work which is bought from the women at nominal price by the middle man, and is further sold in the markets of Quetta and Karachi at much higher prices.

 The economic independence of women in Panjgur does not fully translate into social independence. She has multiple roles but her socio-cultural milieu either does not allow her to perform these roles satisfactorily or she has no opportunities. Sometimes her role performance is restricted to the limits which suits the male domination. She makes many of the routine domestic decisions but decisions regarding major issues like that of the children’s marriages, are made by males in the family. However, she definitely has an advisory position in decision making. Unmarried girls have no say in the decision about their marriage. Although veil is not very strictly practised in Panjgur, very few women can be seen in the market. It is not an appreciable act for women to go outside their homes alone, even for medical check-up. Male drivers do not like to seat their female family members beside themselves.

Panjgur is a male dominated society where a male child is preferred. This preference results in discrimination of female children in education, health and nutrition. Expenditure on female education is considered a waste. In this way women loose their chance to be financially secure and they remain dependant on males. Due to preference for sons mothers, without a son are required to conceive repeatedly without an appropriate break which endangers their lives. Although exclusive health facilities for women, i.e. four Mother and Child Health Care Centres are established in Panjgur, due to unavailability of female staff 3 of these centres are not functioning.

 Women and girls have limited chances of recreation. Although indoor games are arranged for girls in their schools, outdoor recreational facilities are banned for them. The only political role women in Panjgur play is of casting their vote, usually according to the will of their male family members.

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