Economic Importance of Gendered Reparations: Quantifying Sangchatti's Role in Tribal Dispute Systems of Rural Khairpur

Abstract

This study investigates the entrenched practice of Sangchatti the compensatory exchange of women to settle tribal disputes in District Khairpur, Sindh. Against the backdrop of Pakistan’s alarming gender inequality (ranked 153/156 globally), the research explores how economic deprivation, including poverty, unemployment, and resource scarcity, drives tribal conflicts that result in systemic violence against women. Practices such as honour killings, forced marriages (Vanni), and domestic violence are examined as interconnected outcomes of these socio-economic dynamics. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative data from 85 respondents using structured questionnaires to determine prevalence and identify economic correlates. This was followed by qualitative interviews with 7 key informants—tribal elders, survivors, and local officials to uncover the socio-cultural narratives underpinning Sangchatti. The integration of both datasets revealed that resource disputes over land and water often culminate in the exchange of women as conflict-resolution tools, particularly during times of environmental or economic stress. Findings indicate that Sangchatti is not merely a cultural relic but functions as a systemic economic mechanism, reinforced by patriarchal power structures and tribal hierarchies. Survivor testimonies expose how women are commodified and stripped of autonomy, especially during crises. The study’s originality lies in framing Sangchatti through a political economy lens, linking material deprivation with gender-based violence. This research offers valuable policy insights, advocating for integrated development and gender justice programs that address the root economic causes of such violence. It also provides a framework for scholars and NGOs to analyze and challenge customary practices through structural analysis, with implications for gender rights and social reform in South Asia.