Women, Work and Reproduction in Karachi

A survey of 1000 women in Karachi was undertaken to measure the effect of both education and employment on womens fertility and status (their relative autonomy within the family and perceived economic independence). Results show that womens status improves with 10 or more years of education and with employment in professional or other salaried positions outside the home; however having less than 10 years of schooling and working in low-paying service sector jobs or in income- earning activities at home shows little effect. Employment in professional or higher paying jobs appeared to have more effect than education on lowering womens fertility in the 5 years prior to the survey. (authors)