The Impact of Urbanization on Gendered Equity and Their Life Expectancy in Sargodha City

Abstract

The city process is one of the major agents transforming the social, economic and health framework of contemporary societies. Sargodha City has been on the path of great growth over the past two decades, both in terms of population and its infrastructure. Attendant to these changes, problems concerning the women issues and access to education, jobs, health and quality of life have risen to greater importance. The present study was conducted to find the effects of urbanization on gender equality and life expectancy in Sargodha City. This study had four broad goals: a) to examine the gender equity trend in Sargodha City in relation to urbanization, b) to explore the impact of urbanization on gender education equity in Sargodha City, c) to find out how urbanization affects the life expectancy of males and females in Sargodha City, and d) to understand the effect of urbanization on female decision-making power in households and communities of Sargodha City.The study was of a quantitative nature and is of a cross sectional survey type. Primary Data was obtained from 200 male and female inhabitants of Sargodha using a structured questionnaire which included question items in Likert scale. A stratified random sampling technique was employed in the sample, which included high, medium and low-income urban areas for gender and socio-economic representation. This data was analyzed by SPSS (Version 26) using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis such as correlation, regression and chi-square test. Findings showed that although the city has offered new possibilities of proffering education, job opportunities and health services, there is still gender discrimination in access, safety and decision making. Although the educational and occupational opportunities are better for women in Sargodha as compared to the past, they still face difficulties due to social and cultural factors in accessing the opportunities that are equal to men. For men, however, the risks to their occupation and lifestyle-related diseases are related to urban stress. Results also show women still have a longer life expectancy than men, For middle-sized cities in Pakistan, such as Sargodha, it is recommended to employ a gender-lens approach when planning the education, employment, healthcare, and environmental management sector, to realize equitable and sustainable urban development.