Gender Inequalities and Socio-Cultural Themes of Leisure in Contemporary Societies: Illustrations from Pakistan

This paper takes into account the cultural and social themes of leisure that explicate how women’s leisure has been marginalized in a contemporary society. It attempts to understand and use the perspectives of inequality to look at leisure experiences of women and weigh women’s own perceptions and experiences with respect to leisure and social transformations. Reflecting the intersection of social and cultural themes of leisure, and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, this paper views gender disparity paradox and contradictions whether gender segregation and disparity is found in hetero-social dimension in Pakistani society. Equal rights to leisure are given in a range of UN declarations even if it is frequently viewed as less important than basic human needs of food and shelter. Its purpose is to suggest how  women's participation and perceptions, and concepts central to understanding gender dynamics may alter and enrich analysis and characterization of contemporary global society. The studies on gender inequalities have given theories and methods; therefore, this paper argues that women having developed different educational and organizational talents and have the capacity to make a distinct and positive contribution to contemporary global societies. The paper will try to narrow down to types of theories, methodological and ethical challenges and present a model for more equitable leisure policies and new resolutions for more leisure opportunities for women that enable leisure to serve as a force for human growth. Finally, in drawing together some themes of leisure and gender equality, the paper will indicate how these realities have the capacity to add to our understanding of the complexity of contemporary global society. Leisure and gender inequality will be seen in a socio-cultural framework.