CHITRAL, Aug 12: Women’s movement in the conservative Chitrali society is, by and large, restricted and that majority of local population feels women should step out under inevitable circumstances only, says a recent study.

According to the survey done by Regional Women Empowerment Project (RWEP) of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, women in Chitral are allowed to leave houses only for education and health purposes and that only six per cent of them go to markets for shopping.

Misconception of religious teachings and their intermingling with local norms and traditions are to blame for curbs on women.

Sixty-seven per cent of women attend marriage functions and that, too, of their near and dear ones in their villages, while 13 per cent go outside their villages for the purpose. Only a few women leave the district for marriage functions.

The study says women’s participation in political activities is also restricted.

“Zero per cent participation of women has been registered in election rallies, processions and public meetings of political parties. However, catholicity is seen in the education sector where no restrictions have been reported for women to leave houses, villages and even district for education in colleges, universities and seminaries.”According to the study, women enjoy freedom to a great degree in rendering services in government departments, especially in education and health sectors. Recently, a considerable number of women have joined police, too.

In the study, 89 per cent of the respondents said the home management was the exclusive sphere of women, while to deal with all matters outside home from earning to shopping was the sole responsibility of men.

The study said 95 per cent of women in Chitral were accompanied by male member(s) of families during shopping, and 74 per cent of them stayed inside vehicles with male family members bringing them the sought-after articles for selection.

It also said 71 per cent of Chitrali women visited bazaars only on Eid, 20 per cent on once a month and eight per cent every week.

According to the study, shopkeepers found women better shoppers than men as they went for finer, durable things and haggled for lower prices.

Around 50 per cent of the respondents approved the stepping out of women for shopping, while the rest felt shopping was the exclusive domain of men and that local culture, traditions and norms will disappear if women are allowed to visit bazaars for shopping.

Seventy two per cent respondents favoured the idea of a separate market for women and run by women and said it would encourage conservative families to send their female members there for shopping.