Exploring the Identity Representation and Empowerment of Pakistani Women Athletes: An Ethnographic Study of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Islamabad

Abstract

This study investigates the identity representation and empowerment of Pakistani women athletes through an ethnographic inquiry at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Islamabad. Employing Postcolonial Feminism, particularly Lila Abu-Lughod’s critique of Western-centric narratives of empowerment, the research examines how sociocultural norms, religious expectations, political structures, and economic constraints shape female athletes’ everyday experiences. Through participant observation and in-depth interviews, the study highlights how women navigate intersecting barriers such as restricted access to facilities, familial pressures, harassment, and structural inequalities in policy implementation. The findings reveal that while institutional neglect and gendered hierarchies persist, female athletes demonstrate resilience by negotiating agency within cultural frameworks, redefining empowerment through subtle forms of resistance, identity negotiation, and embodied performance. The paper contributes to anthropological scholarship by situating Pakistani women athletes in global feminist debates while offering policy recommendations that advocate for inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and women-led leadership in sports institutions.