The entire society of Jaffarabad district is male dominated and patriarchal. Since it is the man, who faces enemies and decides the political fate of the family and tribe, he assumes a predominant role in both community and family decision making. The rate of literacy amongst women is very low. The role and status of women is ultimately subordinate to male chauvinism. Because of the illiteracy and unawareness, the women enjoy fewer civil amenities or fundamental rights than men. The human rights of women are violated on a large scale.

 Women thus have a minor role in decision-making. They share the economic burden of the family as they contribute to the household and work outside the house in the fields. Nonetheless, their work is not considered an economic contribution and no credit is given to them by husband or elders for their significant contribution. They are commonly seen in rural areas looking after horses, camels and sheep; assisting in cultivation and doing the traditional embroidery. They play a small role in the family and in the tribe. Societal trends force them to remain illiterate and to endure problems related to polygamy and "vulvar" and to a generally low social status.

 Politically a woman is without any say. Her vote bank however, has been a growing influence in the district. Special care had been taken by the candidates in the last elections to attract women’s votes to ensure their success. There is an increase in the percentage of the casting of votes by women since elections began in 1985. There are 29 polling stations for women, being the same number as those for men, and an equal number of male and female supervisors perform their duties on combined polling stations (see registration of votes and polling stations table in chapter 4.1). Currently there are two lady representatives in the District Council, two in each of the Committees of Usta Mohammad and Jhatpat, and 54 in the Union Councils in the two sub-divisions of Usta and Jhatpat.

The number of polygamy cases is high in the district. The first wife’s consent is not requested by men for a second marriage. Changes in the status of women are observed in areas with more literacy among women. Literate women are more independent in decision making and have more authority. There are growing trends amongst girls and women for education, but there is a lack of schools. This can be seen by the number of girls in boys schools. Women play an important role in household and agricultural affairs. However, keeping household duties such as fetching drinking water, collecting animal waste for making dung cakes, and being utilized for bride-price and in exchange marriages are all signs of the low status of women.

Killing for "siakari" is a common norm in Jaffarabad district. However, based on a number of cross-section reports and research, it is found that actual cases of siakari are rare. It is rather the pretence of siakari under which each year a number of persons, particularly women, are innocently put to death. Those who sustain injuries and survive carry the stigma for the rest of their lives, being disdained by society. The innocent victims of siakari receive little protection from law and society.

Siakari literally means adultery. A siakar is the name of a person guilty of doing it. The killing of a siakar is a centuries old norm, still practiced in close tribal/rural societies. A man and woman found in illicit relations are put to death. Killing a woman alleged as siakar is more common than killing a man. A woman is more vulnerable for two reasons. One, she is already confined to the boundaries of a house and depending on male protection, thus cannot escape. Two, once declared as siakar she finds no asylum outside.

Persons are decoyed for siakari. A man may decoy someone by inviting him to his house in the night and killing him subsequently as having illegal relations with his wife. The motive behind might be to get rid of his wife for another marriage or to get rid of the person to whom he owes a big amount of money.

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