Suchergebnisse

There has been an alarming increase in domestic violence (DV) cases in different parts of the world amidst COVID-19 related lockdowns in 2020-2021. This paper aims to understand the prevalence of DV in Pakistan through the analysis of online media sources published during the lockdown period. The objectives of this research include the questions (1) how was the issue of DV presented in the Pakistani media during the lockdown period? and (2) what messages were conveyed by the media discourses? A summative qualitative content analysis was used as a method for data collection and analysis. Three national newspapers were selected as data sources due to their relevance in reporting women's issues and their reputations. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 20 articles published in these newspapers, which focused on DV amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The data shows that DV is seen as a serious social issue and is condemned in these newspapers. The power and control of perpetrators over women has increased during the lockdown and the home has converted into a dangerous space where women feel insecure and unsafe. DV is directly related to financial constraints, inadequate support groups, and poor social services including security and housing. The government attempts to address DV during the lockdown are considered inadequate and symbolic. Along with the attention of the state, the contribution of civil society is needed to redress the issue of DV in Pakistan. Engagement of community volunteers, neighbors, educators, and health workers may help to gain the trust of the women victims who are unable to access state-run initiatives such as helplines.

This study is part of a larger PhD research project on marital satisfaction of Breast Cancer Patients and their spouses in the Discipline of Sociology. The study was conducted by using a mixed method design. An interpretative research approach was used to collect data from 12 couples confronting breast cancer to unveil their experiences of marital satisfaction, while data from 279 couples were taken through a survey. In this paper the qualitative finding will be presented to highlight the couples' nuanced experience as a consequence of their diagnosis. The findings reveal that the majority of participants experienced distress in their marital relationship. Breast cancer-confronting couples stated that breast cancer affected their intimate and /sexual relationship, besides acquainting them with individual psychological and mutual spousal issues. Difficulties in dealing with physical deformity and psychological effects resulting from breast cancer, and the ways these changes influenced their marital satisfaction, were observed by a majority of the participants. The findings suggest that couples with strong emotional bonding and understanding dealt with these consequences in a better way.

This study examines the experiences of female teachers working in private schools in Islamabad, Pakistan. These schools were divided into two categories: elite schools and non- elite schools. This differentiation was made based on fee structure, location of schools and salaries offered to teachers. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted, including 24 interviews from teachers and 12 from school principals. Additionally, the responses of 96 teachers were taken through a survey in the selected schools. The data reveals that female teachers in both elite and non-elite schools encountered numerous constraints. The major issues highlighted by the teachers included low wages, lack of support from administration, disrespectful behaviour from students and job dissatisfaction. The majority considered teaching as a temporary arrangement while they waited for better employment opportunities in other sectors. This study recommends that to rescue the profession of teaching, the state can play a role by safeguarding the rights of teachers. The focus should not be merely on privatization of the education sector but due accountability of private schools is needed not only in terms of quality of education provided, but also workplace ethics and resources provided to teachers.

Stereotypical portrayal of women through images and text in the media has been discussed and debated widely across the globe. The area remains relatively under published in the context of the third world especially Pakistan. To fill this gap this paper is an attempt to examine the role of the media in creating gender identities. Data for this study comes from selected English language newspaper namely "THE NEWS". Discourse analysis of text and images - the most common way of producing and transmitting social meaning attached to social realities was employed to interpret of the data. The data reveals that the images and text produced through the media are biased, patriarchal and they reinforce male hegemony and control over women's bodies and their minds. By doing this the media is strengthening the existing power structure of the Pakistani society. The images of women produced are those of victims of violence both domestic and public, sex objects, passive, dependent, weak and engaged in domestic roles. Consequently, standard images of feminity are idealized and normalized in the real world. Such practices act as barrier for women to escape traditional gender roles and expectations. The study argues that such images reinforce stereotypical roles and hence promote gender inequality instead of emancipation.