Pakistan Case Study – Part One

Pakistan Study Background

The Women, Work and Violence in S/SE Asia research project covered the following components:

Community Study

This study was carried out in Lyari, Karachi, where twenty-seven in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted in the community mainly with women.

In addition, a survey was carried out with approximately 400 residents focusing on trends related to employment, education and violence.

Photo: Scene from Lyari

Professional Level

The second part of our study focused on the experiences of professional middle/upper-class women. Four interviews were conducted with women employed by firms who had adopted the code of conduct established under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law of Pakistan (GEO Television Network, Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) and Fauji Foundation (FF)). We also interviewed eight women entrepreneurs in Lahore and Islamabad.

Programme / Organisational Studies

This final part of the study involved a qualitative focus on women home-based workers who fall under HomeNet Pakistan (HNP). HNP is a network of organisations working for the recognition and labour rights of home-based workers since 2005. Ten women from Shadipura and ten from Gulberg town in Lahore were interviewed. Women in these areas live below the poverty line and experience structural violence and exclusion.

Photo from HBN community

The maps below show Pakistan, and the specific locations within Lahore where the study was conducted:

Shadipura

Gulberg

Case Study Activity

Let’s now examine the Nepal context using the social ecology framework that was conducted as part of the research.

Reading 1:  Context Report Pakistan

Read  this report, and use the questions below to make notes and test your own understanding of the data provided:

Reflection Questions Note down the range of ways, identified in this reading, in which women are still discriminated against What positive actions (if any) are noted that have been taken already to improve the situation? What obstacles exist that prevent positive actions being taken or benefiting women to the extent that they should?

Insights from the study

Now read the following article by Nida Kirmani, written for the study, which gives insight into the realities of life for women in Lyari, Karachi.  It is found within the Women, Work and Violence in South Asia Newsletter no.2.

Reading 2:  Preliminary insights from Lyari

Reflective question:

Case Study Assignment  Select one of the following learning activities: For Pakistan, or a country of your choice, draw up a map of types of organisations and individuals who you think have an interest as stakeholders in reducing violence against women at work or in resisting such change? Use a different colour for stakeholders who have an influence at societal, community, household or personal levels. or Write a short article on a country of your choice making use of research you conduct drawing on the social ecology approach Share the work you have done on your activity via the activity submission button, indicating whether you are willing for this to be shared on the Gender in South Asia blog.

Now return to the Theme 1 Self Assessment Page

Theme 1: Context – Self Assessment