Surname-Based Imbalance in Gender Representation and Distribution of Power: A Critical Case Study of Faqir Abad Village Council, Charsadda

Abstract

Naming and surnaming practices are imbedded in larger social structures. There are reflections of tradition, history, values, and norms in them as they are not just labels. The purpose of the study is to investigate the distribution of tribal identity markers between male and female, and then link that equal/unequal distribution with asymmetrical patterns of power. Using descriptive quantitative analysis, this study analyzed the distribution of tribal identity markers between male and female. Male has a greater ratio of tribal identity markers as compared with female. This study answers the question that the distribution of tribal identity markers is not equal between male and female, which is further linked with asymmetrical patterns of power.