Learning Objective #1: Identify different roles that women play in Pakistani society.

Learning Objective #2: Know the women’s definition of quality of life

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Background: The changing demographics, information technology, and socio-political-economical upheavals have brought a lot of changes in the lives of the people of Pakistan. These have inevitably affected the traditional roles of women. In moving from the traditional to the non-traditional roles, women have experienced the stressors which normally accompany change. These changes in women's roles may, subsequently, affect their quality of life and may have health implications. Based on these assumptions I conducted the study ‘ A tool to assess the quality of life of working and non-working women in Karachi, Pakistan' as MScN thesis (2006) and this paper is a portion form that thesis.

Objectives: To explore understanding of women about the different roles that they play in a society and impact of these roles on women's quality of life.

Methods: Descriptive exploratory research design was employed. Using critical case sampling design, data was collected from three communities differentiated by their socio-economic standing i.e. low, middle and upper strata. Upon approval of Aga Khan University Ethics Review Committee and written consent from the individual participants, thirty-five women were interviewed by using an interview guide. Descriptive analysis; frequencies and percentages, were calculated.

Results: Roles described by the participants(n=35)were categerized as familial roles, financial support roles and social political roles. Each of the identified role has its corresponding sub-roles and its own sets of duties and responsibilities.

Conclusion: Based on the cultural and life span requirements, women play their roles in a society. These roles subsequently, affect their quality of life and subsequently on their health.