The country studies draw on material from the research undertaken in each country, and provide you with an opportunity to study a particular context, and develop your knowledge and understanding of that context. You are invited to select one of the three countries as a short case study, though you can ofcourse come back and look at more than one. The information below provides you with brief information on the nature and location of the research undertaken in each of the three countries.
Myanmar
Community Study
This study focused on women from lower economic backgrounds in Yae Oak Kan village, which borders the industrial zone of the Hlaing Tharyar township in Yangon. This community is surrounded by factories, most of which predominantly hire women.
Professional Level
Twenty interviews were conducted with women from good economic backgrounds working in professions in various sectors including medicine, the (I)NGO sector, corporate business and entrepreneurial activities.
Programme / Organisational Studies
Two studies were carried out in Myanmar. The first focussed on Akhaya which is a relatively prominent domestic NGO which regularly speaks out in public forums about women’s rights issues. A focus group approach was taken to engage with Akhaya staff, and with women engaged in Akhaya’s women’s empowerment training.
The second study looked at the UNDP self-reliance programme which works across Myanmar to promote women’s autonomy. Fifteen focus groups were conducted with women members from throughout Myanmar at a pre-organised UNDP gathering in Yangon. These women have been engaged in microfinance activities, and more recently in anti-VAW training.
Nepal
Community Study
This study focussed on the experience of women and men working as unskilled labourers on the Manohara Construction site. Thirty-two interviews with women and ten men were conducted with community members.
A second study focussed on the informal entertainment sector in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Twenty interviews and two focus groups were conducted with women who were employed as sex workers. Many of the women interviewed were migrants.
Professional Level
Thirty interviews were conducted with women from good economic backgrounds engaged in a range of occupations including banking, IT, education, medicine, NGOs and in running their own businesses. Some were married and some had remained single, and all had either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Programme / Organisational Studies
To be added
Pakistan
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.
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 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.