Gender Studies

In this paper we evaluate the impact of microcredit on indicators of women's empowerment in the urban slums of the Lahore district of Pakistan. A household level instrument that contains information on different dimensions of household decisions: child related, health, social mobility, economic and major household purchase decisions was specifically designed and implemented to explore the link between microcredit and women's empowerment. After controlling for endogeneity in our estimation by using proxies for initial levels of empowerment, matching the controls and treated units on observable characteristics and finally instrumenting for the treatment, this paper finds no difference between the level of empowerment of treated and control units. Participation in the microcredit program is found to be insignificant in explaining all the outcome indicators of empowerment for the sampled households.

The present study focused on the issues of transgender community regarding their education. It is one of the emerging issues of our society and directly interacts with the complexities of gender identity and the lives of these people facing the gender disapproval form the society. The objective of the study was to find out the need of education in their life and their perception about getting their education and contribution of state towards the plight of the transgender community. The research was conducted by using interview method through a self-semi structured guideline. The snowball sampling technique was used as it was difficult to find out the study participants. The sample size for collection of the information was 5o participants. The overall findings of the study showed that the social prejudice is too strong towards their appearance and despite the fact that the transgender community wanted to get education but they had to stay out of this institution. The findings further revealed that there was not any single practical approach adopted by the government for the plight of the transgender community. On the basis of study it is suggested that there should be a formal law/policy in the education sector that facilitate the third gender community within the institution and further there is a need of a platform at the city level to send their needs to the government.

The study attempted to examine police registered rape cases through the contents of First Investigation Reports (FIRs) as rape is a phenomenon that has sever social and psychological consequences on the lives of survivors and in general on women. This was explored through ten in-depth interviews with the survivors. All the registered cases of one city of one year were included and 51 copies of FIRs were obtained from the police department. The contents of the FIRs were revealed that 94.16 % cases were reported from the urban slums of Lahore city. The highest risk age group during this year was 7-21years. In all the reported cases, six cases interviewed were children between the age group of 7-15. The survivors included in the FIRs were 39.2% housewives/girls, 25.5% students, 23.5% domestic servants and the rest were office workers and laborers. In all the cases 76.47% survivors were single, 17.64% were married and only 5.9 % were divorced. The results showed that 39.21% victims were raped at home during day time, 25.5 % at the workplace and 23.52% at rapist's place. The last 9.8 % raped incidents were happened at clinic/hospital. It showed that women are not safe at any place. They live in constant threat of rape that anywhere, anytime and anyone can rape them. The findings further revealed that 93.4% of the cases, the survivors knew the rapist on one or the other type of relation from acquaintance to ex-husband. The stranger committed only 5.9% rapes. During the interviews with the rape survivors it was found that rape was always planned in advance. All the survivors interviewed suffered from a wide range of consequences as a result of rape and survivors were more likely to avoid certain places. Rape was not only disgracing and traumatic experience for the victim but also for the whole family as purification of women has implications for cultural and religious identity. Lifestyles were affected as a result of the incident. Seeking justice is difficult in all the cases of rape, as 51 cases were reported to the police and none could get justice. These figures of violence against women depicted a situation which is alarming and the challenges are numerous. There is no one solution for addressing the challenges and reaching the objective to eradicate the violence against women. The preventive, protective and supportive framework is highly recommended to end violence against women in Pakistan.

The present study aimed at investigating the impact of education, income, age at marriage and duration of marriage on reproductive decision making power of working and non working married women in the area of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in Pakistan. 192 working and non working educated and less educated women (Educated = Graduation and above, less educated = up to matriculation) were included in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. It was assumed that educated women will have more decision making power, working women will also exert more decision making reproductive power as compare to non working women. Results indicate that educated women have more reproductive decision making power as compare to less educated women and working women also have more reproductive decision making power as compare to non working women. Results also indicate that less age is related with less decision making power in reproductive sphere and more duration of marriage is also predictor of less decision making in reproductive sphere of a women's life. Therefore education and employment are the basic indicators of women empowerment and should be a matter of attention in policy making.

There are a huge global and local gender gap in inheritance property. Men hold most material and land resources in communities and families as compared to women. Ownership of inheritance property is one indicator of the empowerment of women. This paper examines the power politics played around inheritance property within families in Pakistan. By using a qualitative interpretative feminist approach, data were collected from thirty men and women from rural and urban areas of Rawalpindi and Chakwal districts. The findings revealed that power played a very important role within the families to keep inheritance property to men. The findings further highlighted that gender ideologies are produced in the family through socialization and reproduced socially through gender stereotypes, beliefs, and social opinions to keep inheritance property within families. The researchers argue that inheritance property within the families is political that embedded power and it is ignored often when men ...

This study investigates stalking behavior campaigns between male and female university undergraduate students of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The study also finds out the consequences of stalking behaviors of experienced male and female university students. A sample of 591 male and female undergraduate students of three public sectors universities was drawn through simple random sampling techniques. The 302 students out of 591 experienced stalking behaviors and results of victimization and its consequences were presented on a sample of 302 students, out of which 194 were female and 108 male students. The results reveal that 51% of students out of which 33% are female and 18% male experience stalking and 60% female and 19% male students report their relationship with the offender as ex-boy/girlfriend while 16% of male students mentioned their relationship with the offender as strangers. The study further shows significant results on stalking behavior campaigns as unwanted approaches like fo...

This study investigates stalking behavior campaigns between male and female university undergraduate students of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The study also finds out the consequences of stalking behaviors of experienced male and female university students. A sample of 591 male and female undergraduate students of three public sectors universities was drawn through simple random sampling techniques. The 302 students out of 591 experienced stalking behaviors and results of victimization and its consequences were presented on a sample of 302 students, out of which 194 were female and 108 male students. The results reveal that 51% of students out of which 33% are female and 18% male experience stalking and 60% female and 19% male students report their relationship with the offender as ex-boy/girlfriend while 16% of male students mentioned their relationship with the offender as strangers. The study further shows significant results on stalking behavior campaigns as unwanted approaches like fo...

The study was conducted to examine prevalence of sexual harassment, its nature, and its consequences on women during traveling on public transport. A survey research method was used to collect the information. A sample of 105 women using the purposive sampling technique was selected from three different bus stops in Rawalpindi city of Pakistan. Routine Activity Theory of Cohen and Felson (1979) was applied to analyse data about the victimization of women passengers. The findings revealed that women participated in the study, 41% were students, 34% were working women and 25% were housewives. 75% of women travelled on a daily basis while the rest once a week or occasionally. The women faced different forms of harassment and 46% of them faced it sometimes while 36% faced it most of the time during traveling. The findings revealed types of offenders and among them, 64% were passengers, 24% were bus helpers and 12% were drivers. 89% participants considered it a serious matter and 52% of ...

The present study aims to investigate women entrepreneurship prevailing in patriarchal structure. It further attempts to explore motivations and challenges in lieu of women entrepreneurs have to face in the patriarchal society. It is important to note that most of the time, the added contribution of women is marginalized due to male supremacy in society. This study has been designed to explore motivational and challenging factors supporting or restraining female entrepreneurship in our society through constructive interpretive approach. The participants of this study belong to a suburban area with traditional culture of male dominance and were purposefully selected for the study. Data has been collected through participant observation and semi-structured interview guide and has been analyzed through thematic analysis technique. This study has concluded the following themes which provide motivations for females to be an entrepreneur; personal motivation, financial stability, social support, flexible timings, and empowerment through business. In terms of challenges following themes are identified: role conflicts, effect on personal lives, financial issues, public harassment, lack of education, and perception of people.

This study was carried out to compare the level of awareness about domestic violence among working and non-working women. The tool used to conduct the research was self-constructed semi-structured questionnaire including both close-and open-ended questions. The findings indicate that there is a significant difference in the level of awareness about domestic violence between housewives and working women. The research has revealed that working women have a clear idea about the definition of domestic violence and that different forms of abuses, like physical, verbal and mental abuse, fall under the category of domestic violence. They are also more aware of their rights. On the other hand, the majority of housewives are not well-aware of what constitutes domestic violence and consider only physical and verbal abuse as domestic violence. The findings indicate that housewives are more at risk of domestic violence because they are financially dependent on their husbands. The results indicate that, because of economic empowerment working women have a greater role in decision making when compared to nonworking women. Therefore improving job opportunities for women may be a contributing factor in deterring domestic violence.

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Female entrepreneurs face many hurdles in organising and managing an enterprise, especially a business, which typically requires significant initiative and risk. Pakistan is a patriarchal country where men are dominant and are not in favour of the growth of women in business. The current study identifies and discusses challenges faced, and strategies used by female entrepreneurs to be sustainable and useful in the market. The research is qualitative in nature and has explored the important themes that cantered on two different dimensions, i.e., challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and strategies used to overcome those challenges. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to get insights about the obstacles, experiences, strategies and difficulties faced by female entrepreneurs operating in a patriarchal setting. Data was collected from 10 women entrepreneurs who have been running their business for one year. This study has concluded that women entrepreneurs face many challenges i.e., role conflicts, effect on personal lives, financial issues, spouse support, harassment, work and family balance conflicts and lack of education and entrepreneurial training. Therefore, the participants of study used certain strategies to run and sustain their business i.e., mobile phone technology, social media, discounts, usage of skills and networking.

The current study explores the perception of youth regarding Aurat March in Pakistan, emphasizing its importance in understanding young people's perspectives on gender issues. The semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the interviews with young people. The interviews were then transcribed and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings indicate that young people hold positive and negative views of the Aurat March. On the positive side, many perceive it as a crucial protest against gender inequality and injustice, offering a platform for individuals to advocate for women's rights. However, there are also concerns among youth that the Aurat March promotes vulgarity and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, which some perceive as a western agenda. Additionally, some participants feel the march primarily represents the issues of elite women rather than addressing broader societal concerns. This study highlights the importance of involving young, educated individuals in the Aurat March to raise awareness of gender issues, challenge societal norms, and create a more inclusive dialogue around women's rights in Pakistan. Understanding these diverse perceptions is essential to increase meaningful conversations and progress toward gender equality in the country.

In postmodern times, fast-paced societies have resulted in the issue of balancing multiple roles and responsibilities at an individual level, particularly in terms of work and family. This study is conducted with a special focus on men. Its main purpose is to explore the challenges rescuers face in work-family balance while ensuring their availability 24/7 at their work. The qualitative method was undertaken by conducting semi-structured interviews. Furthermore, 10 respondents were selected through purposive sampling as the study required rescuers who work in the field. Thematic analysis was used by generating networks, codes and themes with the help of ATLAS.ti software. This study demonstrates that there are various factors that influence rescuers' work family balance. Moreover, it is deduced from the study that the rescuers are able to achieve work-family balance in the light of their respective perceptions and value systems, despite rescuers encountering some hurdles. This study suggests the conduction of longitudinal studies, cross-cultural, cross-regional and cross-professional analysis to explore variations of altruism and work-family balance across multiple societies, impact of organizational policies on the well-being of the workers and effects of technological communication and remote work on work-family balance.

Dowry a curse for social society now become a trend of Pakistani society. it is a given that is given to the daughter as a gift in the name of jewelry, households’ equipments and in any other form of money or appliances from her parents. its creates many problem for girls parents those who cannot afford this,

Psychosocial development means psychological development in a social realm. That is, psychosocial development is how a person's mind, emotions, and maturity level develop throughout the course of their lifetime. Different people will develop psychosocially at different speeds depending on biological processes and environmental interactions. Early childhood is a crucial stage of development that forms the foundation of a child's future, wellbeing and learning. Numerous researches showed that half of a child intelligence potential is developed by age four and that early childhood interventions can have a lasting effects on intellectual capacity, personality and social behavior. What is the role of home in the Psychosocial development of a child? The first institution of a child where he learns is his home. A child passes most of his time with his parents and learns from his parents and the environment provided to him by his parents in home. When the atmosphere of the home is good the child development process, i.e. cognitive, physically, mentally, behavioually grow accurately and led a positive impact on child personality. In the early years of child development, child learnt norms, values, stereotypes during the process of socialization. Socialization played a very important role in the psychosocial development of a child, during socialization process, children learn gender roles at an early age through gender-typing. Gender stereotypes peak during the preschool years. In socialization process, child learn appropriate behavior of being a boy and being a girl. If socialization process is good, then child education process will also good. Role of Parents The child-parent relationship has a major influence on most aspects of child development. Parents play a vital role in the education of their child, whatever child's age is. The proper role of the parent is to provide encouragement, support and access to activities that enable the child to master key developmental tasks. A parent is their child's first teacher and should remain their best teacher throughout life. If parents pay attention to their children, they make more scholastic achievements than those who are ignored. If parents take care of following things, they can improve the education of their children. I.e providing them a supportive environment at home,