Community stakeholders’ perspectives regarding acceptability of a life skills building intervention to empower women in Pakistan

Violence against women (VAW) is a major determinant in the assessment of a women's mental health. Many interventions have addressed strategies to reduce VAW, however, little information is available regarding effectiveness in the local context, particularly the role of men in women's empowerment. In Pakistan, a qualitative approach was undertaken in all four of its provinces to describe the community residents’, both men and women, perceptions regarding the acceptability of a proposed life skills building (LSB) intervention involving men's engagement with regards to women's empowerment and VAW. Eighteen focus group discussions were conducted with men and women from locales within each province of Pakistan, averaging 6–10 participants per group. Fourteen key informant interviews were conducted with community stakeholders. The analysis identified three major themes: family life and male engagement, LSB training as an empowerment tool, and operationalization of the proposed LSB intervention. The proposed LSB intervention was well accepted by the participants with a strong urge to engage men in receiving the LSB training sessions. Men's engagement has been identified as an important element to facilitate women's empowerment. Participants suggested that these sessions should be held for two and a half hours per week within the community public spaces. In addition, these sessions should be based on an interactive approach. The focus of these sessions should include ideas surrounding positive relationships and economic skills building. Moreover, men's engagement will help to reduce VAW and improve the mental health of women in a patriarchal country like Pakistan.