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SOCIAL SCIENCES
REVIEW OF
PAKISTAN
Volume 1 Issue 1
Social Sciences Review of Pakistan (SSRP)
Volume 1, Issue 1
Copyrights © Sociological Association of Pakistan (SAP)
Sociological Association of Pakistan (SAP)
ii
EDITORIAL BOARD
Dr. RAZA ULLAH

Assistant Professor Sociology
University of the Punjab
Dr. KHIZRA ASLAM

Associate Professor(R) Sociology
GC University Faisalabad
Dr. ZAHIRA BATOOL

Assistant Professor
University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Dr. MUHAMMAD ZAMAN

Assistant Professor Sociology
Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad
iii
Table of Contents
Prison Reforms and Situation of Prisons in Pakistan ............................................................... 1
Violence against Women in Pakistan: Role of Police and Media ........................................... 13
Perception of Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Knowledge and Attitude of Working
Women towards Workplace Harassment Act 2010................................................................. 22
Role of News Talk Shows in Creating Political Efficacy among Youth................................. 30
Problems Faced by Infertile Couples in their Social Adjustment .......................................... 43
iv
Prison Reforms and Situation of Prisons in Pakistan

Muhammad Siddique Akbar
PhD Scholar
Institute of Social and Cultural Studies,
University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan
Mazhar Hussain Bhutta
PhD Scholar
ABSTRACT
Pakistan inherited the prison system as a colonial legacy after the partition of British occupied subcontinent in 1947.
With the passage of time the deteriorating condition of prisons and prisoners beckoned the attention of governments
and human rights organization as it began to realize that life conditions in prisons is closely related with recidivism
rate and criminal behaviour. The ideas of community correction and rehabilitation altered the functions and
objectives of modernized prison institution. To improve the living conditions of detainees, various commissions and
committees have been constituted by government of Pakistan occasionally in context with paradigmatic shift in the
penal philosophy throughout the world. Administrative, legislative and reformative measures were recommended by
different commissions to address the major problems facing the prisoners and prisons. Notwithstanding, a
substantive gap remained between policy decisions and implementation level. Living conditions in prisons are
miserable due to poor implementation level. Prisons have turned into place of illegalities and fertile breeding places
for offenders. Prisoners’ classification based policies should be formulated to improve the living conditions of
inmates. Prison system is closely associated with other organs of criminal justice system i.e. police, courts and
community corrections. Reforms introduced to improve the prisons must encompass all the stakeholders. This paper
analyses the degrading conditions of prisons and prisoners in Pakistan keeping in view the recommendations of
commissions and committees formulated to reform the prison system in Pakistan. The situation needs improvement
in accordance with the measures recommended by the different commissions and according to International
Conventions/Regulations on Prisoners’ Human Rights charted by United Nations.
Introduction
Pakistan inherited the Prison System from the Britishers as a colonial legacy. This system was
used by the colonial as an instrument of punitive measures adopted to suppress the political
opponents and threat to the Crown as well as antisocial elements. Jails served as means to detain
freedom fighters and regime defiant along with criminals. While the history of Western society’s
use of punishment dates back to eighteenth century public tortures, pillorying and executions at
the scaffold. It was characterized by a legally approved “discrimination, violence, revenge, and
penitence during Medieval and Ancient times” (Blomberg &Lucken, 2000). The appalling and
shocking pain inflicted on the “body of the damned” dates back the past punitive system of
Europe. Bodily punishment dramatized around the spectacle of the scaffold disappeared in 19th
century when prisons were constructed as place of punishment (Sargiacomo, 2009).
The presence of the church In Europe, until the early part of the eighteenth Century was
important because the state did not benefit from just “naked violence.” Instead, it had to broaden
the purview its power through a “stage of virtue and penitence”. It was marked by state
1
Social Sciences Review of Pakistan, Voulme 1, Issue 1
sponsored expression of the law and order and desire to deepen the state’s power. At scaffold, it
was the belief that the soul of the damned was being saved through the elicitation of truth by
confession (Spierenberg, 1995). Although the scaffold was used as a theatre of punishment and
deterrent for poor and lower class, they increasingly did not attend as spectators. The theater of
punishment slowly assumed the form of popular celebration and public event for jeering and
demeaning the justice officials rather than magistrates’ intentions to impose fear upon the
masses. All this exercise became futile and useless. Thus, in reaction to public disorder,
punishment became secluded and hidden from society (Spierenberg, 1995).This probably led to
birth of prison as private and personalized way of punishment. Public theater became private act.
Emphasis was laid to discard the public torture and executions. This was the beginning of a “new
era of penal justice system where there was no more public execution, painful disfigurements or
annihilation of criminal bodies. Despite all this the mechanism of oppression of previous
century prisons are not completely vanished, as the new mechanism of penal justice consists of
both “the deprivation of freedom” and “the technical alteration of the prisoners” (Foucault,
1975).
Prison as a place of punishment after conviction, is an 18th century invention. This is a

humanitarian alternative to harsh and brutal penal methods of the dark ages. It was also believed
that loneliness of the criminals in a solitary confinement would make them repentance resulting
in reformation and rehabilitation. Until 19th century that the reformatory movements took
practical shape when for the first time classification, segregation, individualized treatment and
vocational training etc. of inmates, were given due consideration. World moved from
retribution to reformation and rehabilitation. This ideology also changed the objectives and
functions of prisons throughout the world. Objectives of imprisonment vary in different countries
depending upon their ideological notions about the function of penal system. These penal
functions are usually incapacitation, deterrence; rehabilitation and reformation (Scott & Gerbasi,
2005) Prisons are also meant to perform diverse functions irrespective of confinement and
detention. Prisons transformed into institutions of learning and correction. Detention became an
opportunity for self improvement. Prisons have also become the place of illegalities and
corruption.
Keeping in view the changing and diverse role of prisons, different commissions and committees
were constituted to introduce prison reforms in Pakistan. Now the functions of modernized
prison have changed. Custody, care, control, correction, care, cure, community involvement and
successful re-adjustment in society are objectives of prisons (Law and Justice Commission of
Pakistan, 1997). Prisons are used to execute the sentence awarded by the Court. Maintenance,
Care, Custody and transfer of prisoners are carried out in modern penal institutions. Jails are
used for the maintenance of discipline and ensure prisoners’ conformity. Prisons perform the
function of imparting useful education / training to the prisoners in various trades/skills and other
vocational disciplines for their successful economic rehabilitation. Organizing of recreational
activities and psychological counseling of inmates are the auxiliary functions of the prisons (Law
2
and Justice Commission of Pakistan, 1997).This paper briefly discusses the reforms introduced
and analyses the current situation of prison in Pakistan.
Legislation on Prisons during British Rule in India
British Government either in process of implementation of its own authority or the vested
authority by virtue of embracing the due maintenance of alliance with other states had through
Regulation III of 1818 passed on the 7th April of the same year, for the confinement of state
prisoner adopted a procedure to place any individual under personal restraint against whom there
may not be sufficient ground to institute any judicial proceeding. It was the law of the time
which never allowed any state prisoner to even think of his fundamental rights that he or she
could not be behind the bar at one time or released from the clutches of the authority at the other
on the will of the masters.
After the complete domination over sub-continent there was a requirement to amend the law
relating to prisons in British India and to provide rule for the regulation of such prisons which
under their control an Act No.IX of 1894 was passed by the Governor General of India in
Council on the 22nd March. The said enactment came after Bombay Act II of 1874 which was
applicable to civil jails in the Presidency of Bombay under the provisions of about eight sections
i.e. Section 9 to 16 (both inclusive) without change. The Prisons Act was enforced on 1st July
1894 comprised of twelve chapters and sixty two sections on establishment, maintenance, duties
of prison staff and admission, discipline, rights and obligations of prisoners.
Received the assent of the Governor General on the 11th March 1897 an Act VIII of 1897 was
passed to amend the law relating to reformatory schools and to make further provisions for
dealing with youthful offenders. After enactment of this law, the Reformatory Schools Act,
1876 was repealed. Although it was enforcement of very good law yet it was introduced much
earlier in contravention of the requirement.
Act III of 1900, the Prisoners Act received the assent of the Governor General on 2nd February
1900 came into force at once. It was an ac to consolidate the law relating to prisoners confined
by order of a court. It extended to the whole of British India inclusive of British Balochistan, the
Santal Parganas and the Pargana of Spiti. The Act included nine parts and fifty-three sections
had the guidance on admission, removal, discharge, attendance in court and employment of
prisoners etc.
The Punjab Borstal Act, 1926 received the assent of the Governor on the 22nd July 1926 and that
of the Governor General on the 16th August 1926 and was first published in the Punjab
Government Gazette of the 27th August 1926. It was an Act to make provision for the
establishment and regulation of Borstal Institutions in the Punjab and for the detention and
training of Adolescent offenders therein already received the sanction of the Governor General
under sub-section (3) of section 80-A of the Government of India Act. The Act contains thirty-
six sections to discuss various aspects of prisoners under twenty one years of age.
3
The 1932 Jail Manual received the assent of the Governor in council of Punjab on 31st December
1932. The said Manual included forty-two chapters, eleven hundred and sixty rules, twenty
supplementary appendices and a comprehensive index. All the rules framed in the Manual are
under the authority of section 59 of the Prisons Act 1894. The Manual consisted of special
mention of the past of Factory Manager, appointment of European Warders for European
prisoners, role of Senior Assistant Superintendent, documents of bails or surety bonds, duties of
convict monitors, punishment like Transportation of life, accidental or unnatural deaths, details
about state, Leprosy and European prisoners and their treatment etc.
Historical survey of Prison Reforms in Pakistan
After independence the prisons and prison departments as a whole remained a low priority item
on the Government agenda. Prisons remained exclusive provincial concern in the successive
constitutions of the Republic of Pakistan. Provincial Governments could not make tangible
efforts to maintain and improve the lot of the existing prisons available in the country. Quite a
few numbers of new jails were constructed in the last fifty years, on the recommendations of
various prisons reform committees.
As the world civilized, human rights of prisoners began to be recognized. The first prison reform
programme was introduced in Pakistan during the 1950 under the chairmanship of Col Salamat
Ullah, ex-IG Prisons (UP combined India). Later on different reform committees were
constituted in the provinces and under the Federal Government auspices to redress the prisoners’
grievances. The recommendations of these Committees were invariably given the Government
approval for reforming the systems prevalent in prisons. However no productive work could be
done mainly because of financial constraints. List of reforms/ reform committees is as follows;
• The meetings of the following Committees / Commissions / Conferences were held during
the last 50 years
• First Prison Reforms Committee under Col. Salamat Ullah, Ex-IGP of UP combined India in
1950/1955
• East Pakistan Jail Reform Commission chaired by S. Rehmat Ullah, CSP, Commissioner in
1956
• The West Pakistan Jail Reforms Committee headed by Mr. Justice S.A. Mahmood (S.Pk.),
Retired Judge, High Court of West Pakistan in 1968-70
• Jail Reforms Conference under Prison Division, Government of Pakistan in 1972
• Special Committee on Prison Administration headed by Mr. Muhammad Hayatullah Khan

Sumbal, Home Secretary appointed by Governor of Punjab 1981-83
• Prison Reforms Committee headed by Mr. Mahmud Ali, Minister of State in 1985
4
• Jail Reforms Committee headed by Maj Gen (Retd) Nasirullah Khan Babar, Minister for
Interior & Narcotics Control in 1994
• Jail Reforms Committee under Mr. Justice M. Rafique Tarar, Pak Law Commission headed
by Mr. Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Chief Justice of Pakistan in 1997
• Pak Law Commission headed by Mr. Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Chief Justice of Pakistan in
1997
• Task Force on Prison Reforms under Mr. Justice Abdul Qadir Sheikh in 2000
• Meetings held at the national level by M/O Interior 2005 under the Chairmanship of former
Minister for Interior Mr. Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao
In addition meetings were also held under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary to the Prime
Minister and in the National Reconstruction Bureau, Islamabad with the coordination of Central
Jail Staff Training Institute now upgraded as National Academy for Prison Administration
(NAPA), Lahore. A copy of the final report has been provided to all the Provinces by the
Chairman, National Reconstruction Bureau, Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Islamabad has been
provided to all the Home Secretaries and Inspectorates of Prisons for implementation (NAPA,
2011).All these above commissions and committees have strongly recommended more or less
similar reforms in the prison system of Pakistan in context with the functions and objectives of
modernized prisons. Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in 1997 presented a
comprehensive report to reform the prison system in Pakistan. This commission recommended
the construction of new jails so that the problem of overcrowding could be overcome. Law and
Justice Commission of Pakistan, (Jail Reforms Report no 23, 1997) has recommended following
objectives and functions of modernized prisons.
Objectives of the Modernized Prison (6 Cs)
1. Custody: Keeping inmates in safe place of confinement to the satisfaction of court

2. Care: Meeting basic needs (e.g. accommodation, food, medicine) of the inmates
3. Control: Maintaining order and discipline within the prison premises
4. Correction: Motivating inmates through ethical, moral and vocational teachings to become
useful and law-abiding citizens
5. Cure: Providing treatment (through physical, medical and psychological counseling) to
reform and rehabilitate the inmates
6. Community: Re-socializing inmates religious and other
Functions of the Modernized Prison
• Execute the sentence awarded by the Court
• Maintenance, Care, Custody and transfer of prisoners
5
• Maintenance of orders and discipline amongst the prisoners
• Control of expenditure relating to prison management
• Enforcement of Prison Act, all Laws, Rules/Regulations and orders pertaining to the
protection and maintenance of prison/prisoners
• Imparting useful education / training to the prisoners in various trades/skills and other
vocational disciplines for their rehabilitation
• Organizing of recreational programmes, welfare measures and psychological counseling of

inmates for their correction and rehabilitation (Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, Jail
Reforms Report no 23, 1997)
Administrative System of Prison in Pakistan
Prisons are a provincial subject like policing. Provincial governments are responsible for
establishment, maintenance and improvement of prisons. Legislation on prisons, recruitment and
salaries of prison staff come under the jurisdiction government of each province. According to
section (5) of Jail Manual (JM), an inspector general appointed by the provincial government
heads the prisons establishment by exercising overall control and supervision of all prisons in the
province. Each prison has superintendent and two or more deputy superintendent to control day
to day functioning of prison. The subordinate prison staff includes chief warders, head warders
and warders. District government authorities have the power to visit the prisons. Each women
prison has female assistant superintendent who controls the day to day matters of prison. This
female superintendent is headed by the superintendent of local prison. Prison guards are
appointed in the jails to control the prisoners and maintain law and order. The prison population
is composed of those convicted of crimes or on remands for criminal charges, as well as civil
prisoners and any person “ordered to be detained in prison without trial under any law relating to
the detention of such person”. Convicted prisoners are classified into “casuals” (chance
offenders) and “habitual” (repeat offenders), and further classified into juveniles (under the age
of eighteen), adolescents (over eighteen and under 21), and adults (over 21). The rules also
distinguish between those undergoing rigorous imprisonment (hard labour) and those undergoing
simple imprisonment. Remand prisoners are classified into those facing the district and session’s
court and those committed to other courts. Women prisoners are similarly classified. There are
four kinds of prisons in each province:
Central prisons
There is a central prison each division in a province. Central prison has detention capacity for
more than 1,000 prisoners, irrespective of the length of sentence. The provincial government has
discretionary authority to redesign at any special prison or district prison as a central prison.
Special prisons
6
These include women’s prisons, open prisons, borstal institutions and juvenile training centres.
The provincial government can establish a special prison at a time and place of its choosing or
can declare any existing prison a special prison.
District prisons
Other than central prisons or special prisons, all prisons are designated as district prisons, which,
in turn, are divided into three classes: first class, capable of accommodating 500 prisoners or
more, sentenced up to five years; second class, capable of accommodating between 300 and 500,
sentenced up to three years; and third class capable of accommodating less than 300, sentenced
up to one year.
Sub-jails
These are smaller facilities where criminal suspects may be detained on remand. A provincial
government can declare any place “by general or special order” a “subsidiary jail”.
Present Condition of Jails in Pakistan
Now we will analyze the conditions of prisons in Pakistan keeping in view the objectives and
functions of modernized prisons suggested by law and justice commission of Pakistan. The table
1 given below depicts the sanctioned capacity and actual prison population in the jails of four
provinces, GilgitBaltistan and Azad Kashmir. Jails in Pakistan are heavily over crowded. Prisons
have more than 35000 additional inmates than their capacity (See table 1).
Table1 Province-wise prison population and authorized capacity
Sr. Name of No. of Authorize Prison

No. Province Prisons d Capacity Population
1. Punjab 32 21527 52318
2. Sindh 22 10285 14422
3. Khyber 23 7982 7549

Pakhtunkhwa
4. Baluchistan 11 2173 2946
5. Azad Kashmir 06 530 663
6. Gilgit Baltistan 05 173 430
Total 99 42670 78328
(Source: National Academy for Prison Administration)
7
Approximately 50,000 to 78,000 prisoners are waiting for trials while the number of prisoners is
increasing day by day due to increasing crime rate, present security challenges and bulging
population in Pakistan.
A corrupt and dysfunctional prison system has contributed to and is a manifestation of the
breakdown of the rule of law in Pakistan. Overcrowding is also responsible for institutional and
infrastructure decay. This overcrowding and a widening staff-inmate ratio that adversely affects
the ability to run prisons are partly responsible for increased violence, both among the prisoners
and between inmates and prison personnel. Because the female prison population is low i.e. 900,
overcrowding is not a problem in women prisons (Crisis Group Report, 2011). Jails have become
fertile place for nurturing the criminals. They come out as hardened criminals instead of
reformed and refined citizen. The situation becomes worse due to sluggish criminal justice
system and complicated procedural laws. There is only one prison staff training institute named
as National Academy of Prison Administration (NAPA) Lahore, in Pakistan It comes under the
jurisdiction of federal government. No such training institute is available at provincial level.
There is acute shortage of administrative staff and budget allocation is quite meager. Prison
officers’ salaries are low and promotions to upper hierarchy are very slow. Consequently,
inefficiency and corruption linger in the jails (Crisis Group Report, 2011). Old & dilapidated
19th century physical structure of jails does not fulfill the objectives and functions of modernized
prison. Prisons are plagued with administrative and financial problems. Security devices (CCTV)
are non-functional or absent. Amendment in Rules is direly required as Pakistan Prison Rules are
28 years old. Training of Prison Staff at home and abroad is minimal. New medical laboratories
need to be established. Water Treatment Plants are insufficient or non-functional.HIV/Aids /
Hepatitis prevention programmes should be steered. Educational/vocational Programmes need to
be reformed and modernized (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2011). Remission System
should be made more liberal by prison authorities. Mobile phone use should be immediately
stopped and replaced with installation of PCOs/Booths. Prisoners cannot meet their relatives
without offering bribes to prison guards. Transport facilities are inadequate and sometimes
unavailable in case of emergency.
Prisoners are brought to courts in degrading way by small prison vans which carry the prisoners
more than capacity. Sometimes prison guards could not find place and they travel by hanging
outside the vans. Children and adolescents are detained in custody with hardened prisoners due
to lack of space. They suffer from torture and sexual abuse. Due to apathy of jail staff many poor
detainees cannot consult lawyer and they are denied their right to a fair trial. Protracted detention
without free and fair trials is order of the day. The World Organization against Torture (OMCT)
reports that it has received alarming evidences from local NGOs working in Tribal Areas in
Pakistan's North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) that practices used against children in
conflict with the law are in direct contradiction with the country's Juvenile Justice System
Ordinance (JJSO).
8
Inequalities and distinctions, insufficient prison programmes, low spending on health care and
welfare, lack of free legal aid, physical, emotional and psychological abuse of prisoners are
rampant problems. Prisons have become centre of coercion, corruption and illegalities. Custodial
torture and deaths are order of the day irrespective of United Nations declaration states that
“No one shall be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of punishment
(UDHR, 1948).”
Also important is the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states in part:
“All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the
inherent dignity of the human person (UNICCPR, 1966)”.
Although in prisons the conditions of confinement are the criminal history of their inmates and
their behaviour in prison are supposed to be the factors that play an important role, other factors
are also important in developing countries like Pakistan and India where a “class system is
deeply rooted in jails” (Neier, and Rothman, 1991). According to a report, Human Rights
Watch (2006) states that under the present prison system in Pakistan, special perks and privileges
are offered to the well off prisoners. It is also believed that many career criminals also go to jails
to avoid conflict with rival gangs. Prisons are place of detention both for criminals as well as
accused. The ultimate purpose of rehabilitation and reformation is that prisons should be the
place of both social skills learning and earning. To creative a better living environment, the
prisons must be a miniature world for the detainees. The prisons must respond to emotional,
psychological and physical needs of the inmates. European countries are searching and
implementing alternative to traditional prison system to conserve resources and better
rehabilitation of the offenders. Unfortunately, this has not been worked in India. Consequently
prison system administration and prison reform is low priority agenda in Pakistan
(Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, 2008).
In order to obtain meals and other facilities the low class prisoners, juveniles and women are
obliged to fan the prison officers, massage them, and also provide them sexual services, The
situation is particularly very disgusting and harsh for newly coming convicts or accused. The
newly inducted prisoners are made more subject harsh conditions of jails. The purpose behind
this inhuman method is to break them. Use of leg irons, fetters, shackles, and chains is common.
Unnecessary physical punishments are part and parcel of life in jails. The weaker section,
particularly female and adolescent prisoners are more susceptible to detention moral and sexual
abuse.
A committee chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan on parole and probation observed that the
benefits of parole/probation laws are not extended to the deserving good conduct
convicts/offenders. It was resolved after deliberation that judges, lawyers and other stakeholders
should be sensitized about the effectiveness about the parole/probation law to reduce the load on
prison and provide opportunity of rehabilitation through parole/probation services. The
9
Committee asked the Provincial Governments to strengthen the Provincial Directorates

Reclamation and Probation in term of manpower and necessary infrastructure the Committee
asked the Provincial Government to prepare schemes and getting requisite staff, transport and
office accommodation etc. the Committee asked the Provincial Government to consider
appointment of Probation/Parole Officers on transfer basis from other departments. The
Committee also asked the High Courts to issue directions to the judges for invoking provinces of
Probation of Offenders Ordinance, 1960 to extend the benefits to good conduct and deserving
offenders involved in minor offences and asking the District & Sessions Judges to convene
frequent meetings of the District Criminal Justice Coordination Committees for discussing the
issues relating to Parole/Probation. Juvenile prisoners fall under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile
Justice System Ordinance (JJSO), 2000.With the promulgation of this ordnance, the situation of
juvenile prisoners has improved in Pakistan (Crisis Group Report, 2011). After this ordnance
came into force, there were 4,979 children in prison, but by the end of 2010 that number had
been reduced by more than half. In 2011, there were 1,225 juvenile prisoners, of whom 1,074
were on remand and the rest convicted (Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Children,
2010). Proper implementation and reduced number of juvenile offenders has contributed to
lowering the sufferings of adolescents in jails and detention centres. Despite the
recommendations of commissions, the facilities of recreation and vocational education are at
minimum level in the prisons. The process of readjustment of released prisoners in is slow as
they do not possess necessary social skills to absorb in the community. Meetings with family
members and friends are mediated through bribery and favoritism. These harsh conditions of
prison contribute to antisocial behaviour of the offenders. This vicious cycle of apathetic
community and nasty environment of prisons also overburden the deteriorating standard of
criminal justice system.
Conclusion
Despite the recommendations of different commissions and committees to reform the prison
system in Pakistan, the human situation of the jails is still worse. The administrative measures
taken to improve the conditions of jails are required to be implemented in true spirit. At legal
level Pakistan prison rule should be reviewed. Prisons are an important organ of criminal justice
system and reflect degree of civilization of a society. Dilapidated conditions of prisons lead to
low self esteem and degradation of inmates. Poor rate of conviction, unnecessary and lengthy
procedure of trial , production mechanism of prisoners in courts, creation of unnecessary hurdles
in awarding jail remission to prisoners, problem of holding courts in jails, over-crowding,
accommodation facilities, non-existence of medical testing laboratories, lack of market oriented
jail industries and improper security arrangements are standing problems that demand
comprehensive program for prison reforms. Such dismal picture of prisons hinders the
reformative/ rehabilitative process of prisoners. The number of adult male prisoners is in larger
quantity than juvenile and women prisoners. A multilayered and classification led reformation
and implementation system should be introduced to improve the prisons. Community-based
10
rehabilitation of offenders-probation/parole system has not yet got relevance in criminal justice
of Pakistan. Above all, there is need to enhance professional capacity of prison managers and
prison administration to be trained in accordance with changing paradigms of criminal justice
across the world.
Prison system is closely linked with criminal justice system. As part and whole are closely
interrelated, the overhauling and reform of whole criminal justice system could contribute to
better functioning of institution of prison. An in-depth study by the learned criminologists,
sociologist, clinical psychologists, criminal justice practitioners, judges, lawyers and all other
stakeholders is required to be conducted and understand the Prison Systems in Pakistan. As
prisons are provincial subject, major responsibility lies on the provincial governments to reform
the institution of prison. Provincial level committees could be more effective to implement
reforms. As earlier commissions were federal level; a gap remained between implementation and
policy. Role of the prisons and Criminal Justice system should be redefined in the light of this
study and instruments available at international level. In this regard, international best practices
regarding the reform of prisons could also be consulted to evaluate prison system in Pakistan.
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10. Available: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm Accessed on 12 Mar 2011.
12
Violence against Women in Pakistan: Role of Police and Media

Muhammad Asif
M Phil Scholar in Sociology
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to highlight the contributing role of police and media regarding violence against women.
Media portrayal of women makes them more susceptible to physical and symbolic violence. Likewise, the attitude
of police towards cases of violence against women encourages the perpetrators owing to under representation of
females in police department and discriminatory behavior of male police stations. Data were collected from thirteen
daily newspapers of Pakistan, five English and eight Urdu, and content analysis was done. Analysis showed 164
cases of rape, 99 cases of honor killing, 162 cases of domestic violence, 26 cases of sexual harassment, 28 cases of
suicide respectively and total 479 cases of violence against women were portrayed in the months of June and July,
2010. The study revealed that incidents of women violence are not reported to the level that it could sensitize the
society. Such underreporting violence also exonerates the police department to take stern action against culprits. The
study has important policy implications regarding the role of police and media.
Introduction
In modern societies, man and woman both are evaluated and be entertained by equal rights. They
work together for the betterment of their societies and play their role for the development of the
country. But unfortunately, some developing countries have less focus on the sensitive issue of
women’s equal rights.
They have some educational, social, cultural, traditional and religious traditions which make
women subservient to men. These societies usually operate under rigid patriarchal system where
women work under the dominance of men. Some ambiguities lie in their norms, values and
belief due to which they have more male dominant societies. In some orthodox families or
remote areas in Pakistan women live in an environment, which is structured by interpreted false
religious and old cultural values and traditions. As a result, women are subjected to
discrimination and violence on daily basis.
Rehman (2009) study implies that women face discrimination and neglect at all levels in our
society. They have the sense of being inferior, imposed by the traditional thoughts of a male
chauvinist society; women are suffering tremendously especially in their homes. Lack of
education and economic opportunities for women restrict the potential of women to think about
their due rights.
Poverty and wrong interpretation of religious are also big hurdles in the way of Pakistani women
becoming progressive and independent. Men normally control their movements and behavior
whether he is a father, husband or brother. The women of Pakistan will have to struggle for a
long time to survive and get their equal rights. Until and unless the traditional thoughts regarding
women as inferior, or as chattel are changed, it might be difficult for women to get any sort of
13
freedom in this environment. Pakistan may not become a prosperous country in the world unless
the half of the population consisting of women is given equal opportunities to take part in this
process of development. No doubt the police and media are considered as a force for establishing
norms, values and cultural patterns in societies. Unfortunately, Pakistani police and media are
not working according to the requisites of a developed society. The growing trend of crime and
inefficiency of such institutions is increasing incredibility of institutions in the mind of the
masses.
Objectives:
This study aims the following objectives:
1) To look at the society with feminist perspective
2) To identify obstacles faced by women in this patriarchal society
3) To aware the readers about this sensitive issue along with the role of police and media
According to Galles and Straus (1979), "Violence is an act carried out with the intention of
perceived intention of physically hurting another person". (p.5) When this violence comes in the
circle of gender relations, it becomes a pervasive and prevalent problem worldwide, touching all
aspects of women's lives, from the home to the workplace (Schular, 1992).
The definition of gender-based violence according to the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law,
and Development (APWLD) in 1990, participants concluded that the definition of gender based
violence is “any act involving use of force or coercion with intent of perpetuating or promoting
hierarchical gender relations" (Schular, 1992, p.2). Violence against women is one of the crucial
social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men
(Unesco 1999 p.52). Violence against women is a technical term as refers to violent acts as are
primarily or exclusively committed against women. Violence against women has been
recognized as serious and pervasive problem. The importance of the issue may be gauged from
the fact that a UN resolution designated November 25 as “International Day for the Elimination
of Violence against Women.”
United Nations General Assembly defines violence against women as: “Any act of gender-based
violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to
women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life (Symonides & Volodin, 2002, p. 33).” This definition was
concluded at the occasion of Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in 1993
and also the UN General Assembly passed resolution 48/104 on 20 December 1993, which binds
member states to eliminate violence against women (Symonides&Volodin, 2002).According to
its article 3, women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, and civil or any other field.
14
These rights include the rights to life, equality, liberty, protection, equal protection under law,
the right to be free from all forms of discrimination, and the right to the highest standards
attainable of physical and mental health. Similarly, under this declaration, women were given the
right not to be subjected to torture or other inhuman treatment. Also, under this declaration, it is
obligatory for states that they should condemn violence against women and should not invoke
any custom, tradition and religious practice which cause violence against women (Marjorie,
2001).
The situation of violence varies from place to place. The females of rural areas suffer more than
the females of cities. According to a 2008 HRCP report, 80 percent of wives in rural Punjab
feared violence from their husbands, and nearly 50 percent of wives in developed urban areas
admitted that their husbands beat them. In rural areas, where traditional customs are followed,
girls and women continue to be traded to settle debts or conflicts (Shaheed, 1990). Young
women are sometimes given in marriage to hostile families as compensation for a relative's
crime in a practice called "swara" in Pashtun populated areas of NWFP, and "vanni" in the
Punjab (Babur, 2007). According to this custom, women are paid in form of forced marriages to
the rival party as a part of compensation of crimes, done by their male relatives (Ebrahim, 2007).
Their basic rights are snubbed such as getting education, health care facilities and independency
in economic and social decisions. Men have the right to make decisions, and women have to
follow their decisions in family, tribe, community and society (Hassan, 1995). In many cases,
women or their honor become victim of land lord’s wrath. In 2002, in southern Punjab, the
famous incident of Mukhtarah Mhai happened in which the tribal council raped her in front of
the village. The reason was that there were suspicions that her brother had illicit sexual relations
with a girl from another tribe. Her brother was 12 years old. She was raped and then forced to
walk nude from the place where the tribal council was being held to her house (Human Rights
Watch Report, 2004). Women come to be discussed in law in the same terms as material objects
and possessions. This is normally reflected in Pakistan's rape laws, which treat the offence as one
of theft of a male’s private property, with no consideration for the woman's rights (Shaheed,
1990).
Shaheed (1990) further explores the conditions of women living in rural areas of Baluchistan
where most of women have to bear the double burden of domestic and work outside the home
mainly in fields. Many men in these rural areas completely consider women as subordinates,
mere servants for doing work in the home. According to Asian Human Rights Commission
(2008), three teenage girls named as Hameeda, Raheema and Fauzia, attempted to marry men of
their own choosing, and were them reportedly kidnapped by armed local tribesmen of Umrani
tribe along with two older women they were beaten and shot then they were thrown alive into a
ditch.
Davis (1983) highlights that women’s economic opportunities are largely restricted by the
economic standings of their husbands and their fathers. Women’s views of their work
15
possibilities are limited by others’ expectations and by tradition (Margaret, 1992). In some
orthodox families of Pakistan, there is a traditional set-up, whereby a man is believed to be the
responsible person for the nourishment of the family, in economic terms. Babur (2007) Due to
this cultural belief, men try for jobs, and women, who are dependent on men, try to marry that
man who has a job and economic stability.
In most societies, different values are transmitted to boys and girls from an early socialization.
Girls are reared to be docile, obedient, and nice. In many places, they are brought up to believe
that their role is to serve men, to sacrifice their own needs for the good of the man and for the
well being of family. Normally, a father in rural areas of Pakistan thinks that there is no benefit
to give education to my daughter, because she will have to wash dishes after marriage. Men
strongly believe that the actual duty of women is to work inside the home not outside (Babur,
2007). According to a Feudal lord in rural Sindh, "if our women get education, they will forget
their culture”. (Hassan, 1995, p.23) The meaning of culture in front of these feudal lords is a
complete subjugation (ibid).
Wrong interpretation of religion sometimes too views women’s traditional behavior as a part of a
sacred and natural structure that should be maintained. In this regard, if any woman asks
questions about their status or about their actions to increase egalitarianism, they are considered
as being suspect or even anti-religion (Margaret, 1992). In Pakistan religion has a strong
influence on the people of rural areas. Poverty and ignorance allow religious dogma to be
accepted without question. Illiteracy, ignorance, superstition, fatalism and blind faith in clergy
(religious leaders) are great allies in the maintenance of the status quo, providing a sound basis
for an extreme form of patriarchal society (Babur, 2007). It is unfortunate that women in
Pakistan are the major victims of this patriarchal and traditional narrow-mindedness.
Police
The police force is a civil force organization that maintains peace, solidarity and stability in the
society. To provide protection and security to individual in respective of gender, race, ethnicity
and religion is its basic right. Similarly in Pakistan, police department is established to reduce the
conflicts and disputes and to enhance law and order situation. Police is considered a major
institution of executive in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the working of Pakistani police is not up to
the mark and image of police is worsening with every coming moments. Pakistan is among those
states where people’s trust on police institution has been gradually eroding. Owing to the dismal
performance of the police institutions, their inefficiency and corruption, they are losing their
credibility in the eyes of public. During a research the results of a recent Poll conducted by
Gallup Pakistan show that from a given list of professionals, Pakistanis place (85%) the highest
level of trust in teachers and (18%) the lowest in police officers (Daily Times, 2011).
Especially, the role of police on women related issues is also not satisfactory. Unfortunately,
effected women have no access to lodge FIR (First Information Report) since there are only nine
16
women police stations and seven complaint units in the whole country. Three complaint units in
Islamabad have been established on September 30th, 2010 in the collaboration with National
Police Bureau and GTZ (German Technical Cooperation).The majority of women are not aware
of women police stations and complaint units. Some other women who have a little access to
general police stations but they are ignored due to some political and male dominant factors.
Sometimes they are victimized and raped on political cause even in police custody. According to
Amnesty International (1999), Human Rights Watch (2003), and Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan (2003), women are raped even in police station and many incidents go unreported. Also
in some cases, the police tortures women from opposition political parties, allegedly by the
orders of government of ruling party. Kursheed Begum, the wife of a low-level Pakistan People's
Party (PPP) activist who had been imprisoned on charges of being involved in a Karachi bomb
blast, was allegedly kidnapped and raped in police custody on November 19, 1991. Despite her
complain, no charges were filed against the officers (Human rights watch, 1992).
PWHRO (2005) Sonia Naz, 23 and a mother of two children is a police rape victim. She was
locked up in a house for 15 days and repeatedly raped and beaten by a police officer as
punishment for questioning her husband’s arrest and making an effort toward his release.
According to another report of PWHRO (2010) 17 years old Pakistani teenager, Natasha was
illegally arrested and held in detention for 11 days while she got raped the four officers in the
village of “Lab Thato” in the northern part of Pakistan.
Media
In this modern age, media is regarded as influential institution of a country so it is their moral
and national duty as well to participate in the national development by providing valuable talk
shows of experts and disseminating program with solutions of the societal problems. Print media
should also be committed for betterment of Pakistani society. Unfortunately Pakistani media
sometimes show leniency while portraying news about women related issues. The media is
biased against women in many areas. This bias affects images of women in the media, and in
turn has a negative effect on women’s development in a society.
Especially electronic media sometimes create hype and portray exaggerated news by adding their
personal opinion that causes for anarchy in the society. For instance, in the case of rape media
channel show the victim again and again which cause dehumanization for that girl already under
stress of humiliation? Women are shown in many advertisements addressing domestic consumer
items like the ones for ‘Lemon Max’, ‘Fair and Lovely’ and certain washing powders portray
women in stereotypical roles that limit their capabilities. Women are objects of beauty and if
they lack it, they need to do everything to achieve what they lack (Ahmar, 2004). In drama
serials, women are literally treated as less competent, a burden over family and psychologically
weak and emotional which strengthen already existing stereotypes in this male chauvinist
society.
17
On the other hand, the attitude of some newspapers is less sensitive and gender irresponsive by
disseminating news. In our print media, some sensitive issues of female are discussed with the
inappropriate portrayal e.g. bare breasts are made more prominent by the black ink used by the
publications that want to sell their newspapers and magazines through women’s bodies.
Sometimes, print media touch its extreme by reporting “the mother of five children elopes with
lover”.
Research Findings
The study was conducted on daily Newspapers of Pakistan, in which the news related to violence
against women is highlighted during the month of June and July, 2010. News on violence against
women is further divided into sub-categories like rape, honor killing, domestic violence, sexual
harassment and suicides. According to mentioned newspapers reports 164 cases of rape, 99 cases
of honor killing, 162 cases of domestic violence, 26 cases of sexual harassment, 28 cases of
suicide respectively and total 479 cases of violence against women are portrayed in the month of
June and July, 2010.
Table 1: Descriptive statistics of the months of June and July, 2010
Category Cases of June Cases of July Ratio
Rape 108 56 1.92 : 1
Honor Killing 75 24 3.12 : 1
Domestic Violence 81 81 1:1
Sexual Harassment 19 7 2.71 : 1
Suicide 22 6 3.66 : 1
Total 305 174 1.75: 1
(Source: 13, 8 Urdu+ 5 English, daily newspapers of Pakistan)
The statistical data of incidents of violence against women is drawn in the Figure 1. Cobalt color
shows the cases of June while scarlet color shows the cases of July, 2010. The graphical
presentation shows little discrepancy in the occurring of such cases there might be some reason
e.g. security threats or others in some areas due to which less cases are reported.
18
400
300
200
100
0 June
Rape
Domes6c
Total
suicide
Honor
Killing
Violence
harassme
Sexual
July
nt
Figure 1: the combine graph of the cases of categories of VAW in the months of June and July, 2010.
Conclusion
The UN has condemned violence against women. The Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence Women was proclaimed by the General Assembly in its resolution 48/104 on 20
December 1993 (Symonides & Volodin, 2002). Pakistan has signed on this Declaration but in
reality women could not get any relief (Hassan, 1995). The Constitution of 1973 in several
articles guarantees gender equality. For example, article 25 says: "all citizens are equal before
the law and are entitled to equal protection of law" and article 27 states: "there will be no
discrimination on the basis of sex alone” (Khan, 2001, p.55). In article 28, it is clearly written
that “steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life”
(Khan, p.56).
Pakistan is a developing country and the 6th biggest population of the world and 2nd biggest
population of Islamic countries. To deal such a population we have to take steps to reduce this
growing trend of inequality else it would harm our society seriously. Police and media both are
considered very influential in our society they should pay their duty vigorously. Police should
pay more attention on women related issues and media should fulfill its duty by portraying news
as it is and with solution of problems. Authorities have to put specific measures at the level of
police and media organizations to assist the government in fulfilling its binding commitments to
deal with discrimination and injustice against women especially related to violence against
women.
These both institutions may affect public opinion and perform their role to promote solidarity,
cohesion and stability in the society. If some measures would not be taken in near future, this
discriminatory behavior pushes society into devastating and alarming situation of anarchy. Pre-
cautionary steps have to be taken to avoid this predicted derailment. Now it is the need of the
hour; there should be mutual understanding and commitment among these institutions (Police &
Media) especially on women related issues should be dealt with more responsibly so that they
also might have equal opportunities and work with their men for the development of the country.
19
References
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Gender and Media in South Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Asian Human Rights Commission (2008). “Pakistan: Five women buried alive, allegedly by the
brother of a minister”. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145959e.pdf Retrieved
2008-08-11.
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Davis. A. Y. (1983). “Women, race and class” New York: Vintage
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Nawa-i-Waqt, Jang, Express, Khabrain, Din, Pakistan, AajKal and Waqt.
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theoretical Integration” New York: Free Press.
Hassan, Y. (1995). “The haven becomes hell: A study of domestic violence in Pakistan” Lahore:
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Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. (2003). “Violence against Women” http://www.hrcp-
web.org/Women. Retrieved on 2nd Jan, 2007.
Human Rights Watch Report. (2004). “Violence against women in Pakistan”
http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/pakistan/forms.htm, retrieved on 2nd Jan, 2007
Khan, H. (2001). “Constitutional and political history of Pakistan” Karachi: Oxford Press.
Margaret.C, H. (1992). “Women and empowerment: strategies for increasing Autonomy”
Washington: Hemisphere Publishing Corporation
Marjorie, A. (2001). “Women, gender and human rights: A global Perspective" London: Rutgers
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University Press.
Pakistani Women's Human Rights organization (2005). “Human Rights Issues”
Pakistaniwomen.org/
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Regional/04-Sep-2009/Violence-against-women-turning-from-bad-to-worse
Schuler, M. (1992). " Freedom from violence: women's strategies from
Around the world" New York: PACT communications.
Shaheed, F. (1990). “Pakistan's women: an analytical description”, Islamabad, NORAD.
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procedures -women and human rights” France: UNESCO Publications.
21
Perception of Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Knowledge and

Attitude of Working Women towards Workplace Harassment
Act 2010
Qaisar Khalid Mahmood
PhD Scholar
Institute of Social and Cultural Studies
University of the Punjab, Lahore
Ishtiaq Ahmad
Lecturer Sociology
Government college of Science Whadat Road Lahore
ABSTRACT
Since the inception of Pakistan, Pakistani women have lived in a world structured by strict social, cultural, religious,
family and tribal customs. They are subjected to discrimination while men are socialized to dominate and suppress
women in the public and private spheres. This discrimination in shape of Violence against women becomes a
nationwide issue in Pakistan, cutting across all cultures, provinces, social, and age groups. Sexual harassment at
workplace is the leading form of gender based violence which working women are facing today in Pakistan.
As women empowerment is the prime objective of national policy, government of Pakistan has taken significant
initiatives in this regard. Various legislations have been done at national level specifically against gender based
violence to eliminate violence against women from Pakistani society. To address the issue of sexual harassment at
workplace, the protection against harassment of women at the workplace act 2010 has been developed and
implemented. Now, comprehensive research is needed in assessing the issues, challenges faced by the women in
taking the advantage from this act to see the impact of this legislation in empowering working women. Following
study is a stepping-stone in investigating in this direction. This study has been designed to see the perception of
sexual harassment at workplace, knowledge and attitude of working women towards aforesaid bill. By conducting a
social survey, a sample of (n=100) working women living in Lahore has been investigated through structured
questionnaire. The findings of the study show a positive relationship between the perception of sexual harassment at
workplace and attitude towards the protection against harassment of women at the workplace act 2010. However,
they had reservations to file a case against workplace harassment. Further investigation is required to see the
efficacy of this bill in preventing women from workplace harassment.
Introduction
In South Asian societies, patriarchal structures and values are deep-rooted triggering
perpetuating gender inequality. Women remained subordinated and marginalized in decision-
making processes, lesser access to the resources and limited participation in social engagements
in these societies over the years. Their secondary status have further reinforced by certain
governmental policies which fail to acknowledge women’s rights and access to services and
opportunities as compared to men (UNIFEM, 2005). This gender inequality is deemed as one of
the leading factors of violence against women (UNFPA-AFPPD, 2003).
Violence against women (VAW) is defined as “any act of gender-based violence that results
in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including
threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or
private life.” Thus, VAW refers to violent acts that are “primarily or exclusively committed
against women” (United Nations 1993).
22
Perception of Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Knowledge and Attitude of Working Women
towards Workplace Harassment Act 2010
Sexual harassment is the primary form of the violence that women have to face in their daily
lives. According to the report of World Health Organization (2009), “sexual harassment and
abuse by authority figures such as teachers, police officers or employers” is one of the
significant forms of violence that working women faced today. World Bank (1993) report also
elicits that out of every three women across the world, one woman has suffered violence in her
lifetime. She has been harassed, beaten up, raped, assaulted, trafficked or forced to submit to
harmful practices. Most of the time, the abuser is a member of the woman’s own family or
someone known to her where she works. This leaves assaulted women in an atmosphere of fear,
and their most of the times their lives are guaranteed only in exchange for obedience to social
norms and traditions (Manderson & Bennett, 2003). Because of this fear and sense of being
inferior, imposed by the traditional thoughts of a male dominated society, women are suffering
immensely specially in their homes (Murthy & Smith, 2010) and workplaces.
According to the report of Commission of Inquiry for Women (1997), “Among the most lethal
forces which impact women’s dignity and security are customary practices which aim at
preserving female subjugation. Often defended and sanctified as cultural traditions, they are
usually fiercely defended by those who practice them”. Sexual harassment at the workplace or
workplace harassment is being practiced as masculine social norm in every sector where women
work. Due to this practice among the masses, most of the incidents of violence against women
remain underreported (Andersson et al, 2010) especially workplace harassment incidents.
According to Parveen (2010), a total 24119 of violence against women cases were reported
during 2008-10 among of which only 520 workplace harassment cases were filed. This shows
the social acceptance of workplace harassment as no legislation has been done to address this
social problem faced by women till 2010. However, some pressure has been created by the
media who highlighted various workplace harassment cases in recent years.
Since Pakistani government has identified violence against women as one of the prime issues to
be addressed immediately and specific measures are being taken to ensure its complete
eradication. The National Policy for Development and Empowerment of Women (2002) was
promulgated to promote women’s participation while declaring zero tolerance towards violence
against women and girls. In this regard, the protection against harassment of women at the
workplace act 2010 was passed and approved to safeguard women rights at workplace. This act
is now being implemented nationwide and women could file against workplace harassment.
Thus following study was designed to conduct a survey with working women in Lahore to see
their perception about workplace harassment and knowledge about this act. Moreover, it was
aimed to investigate the attitude of working women towards filing case against workplace
harassment in assessing the efficacy of this act and other external factors that could influence
women in this matter.
Defining Sexual Harassment at Workplace
23
Sexual harassment at workplace is among those social problems that women are being faced
across the globe and much debate has been done to define it over the years. According to Sigal
(2006) sexual harassment at workplace is
“Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this
conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably
interferes with an individual’s work performance, or creates an intimidating,
hostile, or offensive work environment.”
Pradhan-Malla (2005) highlighted five basic points in defining sexual harassment that includes
unwelcome sexually determined behaviour as (a) physical contact and advances; (b) a demand or
request for sexual favors; (c) sexually colored remarks; (d) showing pornography; (e) any other
unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature. While in the protection
against harassment of women at the workplace act (2010), sexual harassment at workplace has
defined in the following way,
“Any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors or other verbal or
written communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature or sexually
demeaning attitudes, causing interference with work performance or creating an
intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, or the attempt to punish the
complainant for refusal to comply to such a request or is made a condition for
employment.”
By synthesizing the above definitions and reviewing the literature, indicators presented in table 1
were made to see the perception of working women about sexual harassment at workplace.
Table 1: Indicators of sexual harassment at workplace

No Type of Harassment Indicators
1 Physical Touching, leering or ogling, homophobic comments, whistling
2 Nonverbal Unwanted emails, unwanted messages on cell phone ,
3 Psychological Rejection of the work on the basis of gender, unnecessary meetings to

attain sexual favor,
Usage of authority in demanding sexual favor
Three basic types of harassment are inferred in measuring the perception of sexual harassment at
workplace that is physical, nonverbal and psychological as shown in table 1. Physical workplace
harassment includes unwanted touching to the female by the male colleagues. Leering or ogling
that means to look female colleagues with sexual desire by the males are often claimed by the
female staff in the offices. Making homophobic comments about female colleagues are also
24
being practiced in the offices. Whistling on female colleagues is the customary practice that male
are used to do.
Psychological workplace harassment is the secondary that women faced in the workplace. Their
work are rejected or appraised negatively most of the time on the basis of gender. It is also
observed that male colleagues call unnecessary meetings just their female subordinate to
convince them for sexual favor or relation. They are also threatened to use their authority against
female subordinates in attaining favor by stopping their promotion or other matters that in their
control. In majority women have faced non verbal communication in the form of unwanted
emails and messages explicitly focusing their gender.
Study Design
In the following study, perception of sexual harassment at workplace was taken as independent
variable whereas knowledge of sexual harassment at workplace act 2010 and their attitude
towards sexual harassment at workplace were taken as dependent variables. Perception of
workplace harassment was measured through the above discussed indictors while questions were
asked their knowledge about workplace harassment act 2010 and their attitude towards
workplace harassment.
Methodology
Pakistan is a patriarchal society where men and women are segregated in public spaces. In such a
context, researching violence against women is a very sensitive issue and requires extremely
careful methodological and ethical considerations (Sajid et al, 2010). While conducting research
on such sensitive issues, matters of confidentiality and the safety of the respondents as well as
the researcher are crucially important. To address this constraint, researcher decided to conduct a
social survey since this allows respondents anonymity and more unbiased responses could be
collected.
On the basis of above discussed indicators, a questionnaire was made in English and then
translated in Urdu after consulting female linguist expert to filter gender biasness. This
questionnaire was pre tested with sample of (n=10) and fewer changes were made on the
feedback of the respondents. Snow ball technique was utilized in locating respondents from the
public and private sector as well. Total 100 women were surveyed who were working in Lahore.
Findings
This section presents the information collected through the survey conducted from the women
working in the area of Lahore. This study is the pioneering attempt to understand the perception
of sexual harassment at workplace after the execution of workplace harassment act 2010. Thus
this study specifically focus to see the relationship between perception of sexual harassment at
25
workplace and knowledge of the protection against harassment of women at the workplace act
2010 and then their attitude towards this act.
Table 2: Physical sexual harassment at workplace

Not at all Do not know To some extent To great extent Total
Touching 0% 4% 16% 80% 100
Leering 3% 11% 23% 63% 100
Homophobic 30% 12% 14% 44% 100

Comments
Whistling 40% 8% 15% 37% 100
Table 1 presents responses of working women on the perception of physical sexual harassment at
workplace. According to the 80 percent of the women, touching from the male colleagues
considered as an act of sexual harassment while no women considered it as normal behavior.
Leering was conceived as sexual harassment at great extent by 63 percent women of this study
and 23 percent of the women considered it as an act of harassment to some extent. Only 3
percent of the women did not feel it as sexual harassment.
Passing out the homophobic comments on female colleagues is also considered sexual
harassment by the majority of the women studied through this survey. A total of 44 percent of
the women conceive it as sexual harassment to great extent whereas 30 percent of the women do
not consider it as sexual harassment. Whistling is not the sexual harassment of the working
women as 40 percent of the women of this study do not think it as sexual harassment, however,
37 percent of the women considers it as sexual harassment.
Table 3: Non verbal and psychological sexual harassment at workplace

Non Verbal
Unnecessary 1% 8% 12% 79% 100

Emails
SMSs 27% 11% 18% 44% 100
Psychological
Work Rejection 0% 5% 16% 79% 100
Unnecessary 4% 12% 25% 59% 100

Meetings
Exploitation 30% 12% 15% 43% 100

through Authority
26
Table 3 elicits the responses of the women on non verbal and psychological sexual harassment.
In nonverbal sexual harassment, a total of 79 percent women thought unnecessary emails send by
the male colleagues without any professional need as the type sexual harassment at workplace.
About the sending messages on the mobile phone without reason, 44 percent of the women
surveyed in this study conceived messages without any reason also an act of sexual harassment
to great extent. On the other hand, a total of 27 percent of the women did not think it as sexual
harassment.
About psychological sexual harassment at workplace, 79 percent of the women felt their work
rejection had been made on the basis of gender because male colleagues wanted them to spend
more time in offices with them. No woman in this study rejected this proposition. Women also
believed that their male colleagues called unnecessary meetings for passing time with them
during office hours as 59 percent of the women considered it as sexual harassment to great extent
and 25 percent of the women to some extent. Findings illustrated that male colleagues used their
authority to exploit female colleagues in their offices. In this study, 43 percent of the women felt
that their male colleagues used their authorities to exploit female employees while 30 percent of
the women rejected this proposition.
Table 4 describes the knowledge of working women about the protection of the women against
sexual harassment act 2010. As table shows, a total of the 71 percent of the women knew that
government had done legislation against sexual harassment at workplace but only 56 percent of
the women had the knowledge that they could now report a case against sexual harassment at
workplace. However, 55 percent of the women recognized sexual harassment at workplace as
punishable crime.
Table 4: Knowledge about sexual harassment at workplace act 2010

Government have 6% 9% 14% 71% 100

made legislation on
sexual harassment
Women can now 20% 07% 17% 56% 100

report a case
against sexual
harassment
Sexual harassment 34% 11% 0% 55% 100

is a punishable
crime now
By analyzing data through SPSS 17, correlations were calculated between the perception of the
workplace harassment and knowledge about the protection of the women against sexual
harassment act 2010.
27
The calculated value of Pearson’s r for perception of physical sexual harassment at workplace
and the knowledge about the protection of the women against sexual harassment act 2010 was
0.78. For perception of non verbal sexual harassment at workplace and the knowledge about the
protection of the women against sexual harassment act 2010, the calculated Pearson’s r value
was 0.69. This value(r) is calculated for the perception of psychological sexual harassment and
the knowledge about the protection of the women against sexual harassment act 2010 was 0.71.
When a question was asked to the surveyed women that would they file a case against sexual
harassment at workplace if they experience it in their offices. Only 20 percent of the women said
that they would file a case against sexual harassment while 50 percent of the women replied that
they would not file a case.
Conclusion
This study was explorative in nature to investigate the perception of working women about
sexual harassment at workplace, knowledge of the protection against harassment of women at the
workplace act 2010 and their attitude towards this act. Findings depicted a positive relationship
between the perception of sexual harassment at workplace and knowledge of the protection
against harassment of women at the workplace act 2010. In addition, negative responses were
found in filing a case against sexual harassment at workplace. Thus further investigation is
recommended to see the casus of this attitude. Inquiry is also required by examining the socio-
economic status of the working women in adopting this attitude when the legislation has been
done.
References
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Ansari, U., Omer. K., Ansari, M.N., Khan. A., & Chaudhry, U. U.
(2010). Barriers to Disclosing and Reporting Violence among Women in Pakistan: Findings
from a National Household Survey and Focus Group Discussions. Interpers Violence (25), 11.
Government of Pakistan, (2010). The protection against harassment of women at the workplace
act 2010. Islamabad, Pakistan.
Government of Pakistan, (2002). The National Policy for Development and Empowerment of
Women. Islamabad, Pakistan.
Government of Pakistan, (1997). Commission on the Inquiry of Women (a report to the President
of Pakistan). Islamabad, Pakistan.
Manderson, L. & Bennett, R. L. (2003). Violence against women in Asian societies. London,
Routledge.
Murthy, P., & Smith, L. C. (2010). Women's global health and human rights. Canada, Jones and
Bartlett.
28
Pradhan-Malla, M. (2005). Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Asia. In Violence against

women: Good practices in combating and eliminating violence against women, Vienna: Austria.
Parveen, R. (2010). Violence against Women in Pakistan. Islamabad, Aurat Foundation. The
Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act. (2010). Retrieved from
http://www.na.gov.pk/en/acts.php.
Sajid, A. I., Khan, A. N., & Farid, S. (2010). Violence against Women in Pakistan: Constraints in
Data Collection, Pakistan Journal of Criminology, 2 (2), 93-110.
Sigal , J. (2006 ). International Sexual Harassment. Ann NY Acad Sci 1087:356–69.
UNIFEM. (2005) Accountability to the World’s Women Progress of South Asian Women 2005;
A Series for the Fifth South Asia Regional Ministerial Conference Celebrating Beijing plus Ten,
New Delhi.
UNFPA-AFPPD. (2003). Introduction in Violence against Women in South Asia, Retrieved from
http://wwww.unfpa.org.np/pubvaw/VAW-EG_Analysis.pdf
United Nations. (1993). Declaration on the elimination of violence against women. Retrieved
from http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/48/a48r104.htm.
World Bank. (1993). Investing in Health. New York: Oxford University Press.
World Health Organization. (2009). Violence against Women Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/index.html.
29
Role of News Talk Shows in Creating Political Efficacy among

Youth
Rameez Ahmed
Institute of Social and Cultural Studies

ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this paper is to find out the influence of News Talk Shows in creating political efficacy among
educated youth. The researcher wants to measure the level of political efficacy, that is, level of awareness and level
of political participation based on the fact that how much educated youth are influenced by News Talk Shows
regarding politics. News Talk Shows are helpful in changing the political structure, political system and political
development. Universe for the present study consists of Punjab University Students, Lahore. The researcher has
selected 120 samples in nineteen departments of Punjab University. The researcher uses the non probability
sampling technique with haphazard selection method. Questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection.
For data analysis two chapters are provided; one analysis for quantitative data and second is for qualitative data
because the present study is comprised of both types of data (quantitative and qualitative). Simple frequency tables
are made of demographic information and other closed ended questions (quantitative data) whereas percentage
analysis is made for the open ended questions (qualitative data). Some of the important findings from the
respondents include demographic information, role of news talk shows and political efficacy. It was concluded that
there was strong influence of News Talk Shows on the individual’s political efficacy. The political efficacy of the
viewers of News Talk Shows were very high based on level of political awareness and level of political participation
among educated youth. It was found that those respondents who watch News Talk Shows are having better
socialization than those who do not watch.
Introduction
Today, every one of us is spending more of our leisure time watching TV, listening to the radio
or reading newspapers and magazines. The shows on the TV and the articles in the newspapers
influence our decision process, shaping our perceptions for the world. Besides the positive fact
that we are better informed and in touch with the latest news, we should be aware that accepting
this enormous flow of information and allowing it to make our mind can be dangerous. The TVs
infiltrate our lives, guiding us what are we supposed to wear, how we are supposed to look and
act.
“The role of television in Pakistan is extremely important

as illiteracy is a major obstacle to information and
awareness. Recent studies show that TV is watch by almost
50 million people. An increasing number of women, urban
and rural, now have access to television. Due to the limited
scope of the print media to the audio-visual media becomes
the most influential agent in the country (UNDP: 1996). ”
Mass media always had been an important means of communication. Over a period of time it has
passed through various changes and has gradually acquired a new significance and importance in
the present times. Earlier it used to be small in size and in the strict control of the authoritarian
governments to “Control Public Mind”.
30
Role of News Talk Shows in Creating Political Efficacy among Youth
Pakistan too has its share, along with the government channels; there are several private channels
available on cable TV network. Channel like (GEO, ARY, AAJ, Indus Vision, Duniya, TV One,
DM Digital, Al-Noor, and QTV Digital etc.) are busy round the clock on regional and national
level showing great variety of programs of Entertainment, Information, Religious, Discussions
and Talk Shows etc.
The role of media is gaining importance every day. It is fast transforming itself and in turn
becoming an agent of transforming the world. Now Media is helping democracies and promoting
globalization.
“By adopting a global outlook, we become more aware of

our connections to people in other societies. The global
perceptive opens our eyes to the fact that our increasing
ties with the rest of the world means that our actions have
consequences for other and the world’s problems have
consequences force us(Giddens 2001:51).”
The institution of politics is one of the institutions which work for the welfare of people and
concerned with government and other related issues of government, elections, vote and etc. In
most of the world’s countries, national power of politics and authority are allocated to various
individuals and groups through politics, usually by means of compromises between conflicting
interests. Through politics, governments are elected or appointed, or in some cases, created by
armed forces. Governments have the power to make, interpret, and enforce the rules and
decisions that determine how to run the countries.
In the present era, it has been seen that Mass Media has put spirit and encouraged people in
electing government according to their own choice. In this way, people can change the wrongful
decision of government officials. So Mass Media is the source of influencing people to
participate in politics and this is the only source of creating awareness in citizens that how to
improve and run our political system.
People are mainly affected by the news and news talk shows that are on air on different news
channel of Pakistan around the clock. Every news talk show, may it be Capital talk or live with
Talat or any other, it starts with a topic and ends with a conclusion which is normally drawn by
the anchor himself. People may or may not agree with the conclusion drawn by the anchor.
Opinionated news has always been a hard pill to swallow in any society. People who do not
agree with the opinion will call that anchor to be biased. Then comes the policy of channels,
which is originally never exposed, on the face of it every channel claims to have the policy of
non discriminatory, unbiased anti racialism and non prejudice but widely held believe remains
that different channel support different political parties and social groups.
Efficacy
Efficacy is the capacity to produce a desired size of an effect under ideal or optimal conditions. It
is these conditions that distinguish efficacy from the related concept of effectiveness, which
relates to change under real life conditions.
31
Political Efficacy
Political efficacy is an attitude and a phenomenon of socio-political context. It is the term that
describes people’s feelings of government, it examines whether or not people feel they are being
taken seriously or not. But some people have strong sense of political efficacy while others do
not. This is mostly derivative of people’s experiences.
“Political efficacy is the extent to which an individual feels
that his or her participation in politics will be effected
(Axford and Browning, 2007).”
According to the research by Axford and Browning, it is commonly measured and used an as
indicator for the boarder health of civil society. Feelings of efficacy are highly correlated with
participation in social and political life. Public opinion studies have conventionally treated
political efficacy as two dimensional concepts involving internal and external efficacy or in other
words political efficacy has two types:
Internal Efficacy
Internal efficacy is the perception that one has the requisite skills and resources to influence the
Political system.
External Efficacy
External efficacy is the perception that government institutions and elites are responsive to one’s
attempt to exert political influence. Internal efficacy has only a limited relationship with the
depended variables, though high levels of internal efficacy are found to be a condition for
collective and external efficacy to exert stronger impact on political attitude and behavior.
According to a research “Engaging the Electorate (Initiatives to promote voter turnout from
around the world)” by Andrew Eills, an important indicator of political efficacy is voter
participation.
“A sense of efficacy is developed when an individual feels

well-informed enough about politics to believe that they
can influence the makeup or activities decision making
bodies, if an election appears to be meaningless or
irrelevant, or an individual feels powerless or ineffectual in
his or her interactions with the political system, the sense of
political efficacy declines and abstention from this can lead
to political apathy and alienation (Ellis, 2006).”
When we talk about political institution, political efficacy is an important aspect. Political
efficacy refers generally to citizens’ beliefs in their ability to influence the political system. An
individual’s sense of political efficacy is important because it is associated with political
participation, the acquisition of political information and discussion of the political issues. The
present study is focused to measure the level of political efficacy among educated youth.
32
Literature Review
The aim of this chapter is to review the empirical and theoretical literature related to the present
study. A view of this chapter is to interpret the present study within the framework of the
previously conducted studies. For the present study, researcher found a wide range of literature
in different books, newspapers, articles and previous researches. Although the reviewed literature
highlights different aspects related with the Television News Shows in creating Political Efficacy
among Punjab University Students.
The rapid increase in viewing satellite T.V programs during the last decade is an example of the
cultural change that has taken place in the media of mass communication and has produced a
cultural pattern of behavior and in prescribed ways of doing things. Although its effect vary
according to the socio-economic conditions from country to country, but no one can deny the
process of rapidly changing orientation that it has operated after having been installed in a
society.Various researches have been conducted to delineate the role of this news programs on
people thought it is extremely difficult to identify its exact effects on audience behavior.
A research was done by Samiullah (1982) on impact of T.V series Nishan-e- Haider on students.
From this research he concluded that most cadets watched this T.V series. Secondly he found
that these types of programs were shown to inspire the youth to inject a new spirit of patriotism.
Young cadets wanted to watch such more programs on T.V which really promoted their moral.
The study was conducted by Fazeen, Mugees and Sana (2007) to explore the level of political
efficacy based on the level of awareness regarding politics and level of political participation.
The researchers have taken total hundred respondents were selected from different Colleges and
Universities by using simple random sampling technique and questionnaire as a tool was used for
data collection. They concluded that there was a strong influence of the family’s political
background and parent’s education on the individuals for the level of political efficacy.
The study conducted by Zahra (1989) of Department of Sociology, Punjab University, Lahore,
on “impact of T.V programmes related to women in creating awareness among women about
their rights” and an attempt has been made to measure the level of exposure and awareness to
T.V programmes about their rights. The researcher wants to see the impact of reinforcement
provided by T.V programmes regarding women’s rights.
The study conducted by Kabir (1965) of journalism Department, Punjab University, Lahore, on
the opinion of social science students of the Punjab University about T.V programs in Pakistan.
The purpose of this study was to discover the opinion of the social science students of the
university about the T.V programs, including the impact of these programs on the people’s
standard of living and their attitude and behavior towards this media. The researcher after a
careful study of all data and its interpretation conducted that systematic T.V brings a change in
traditional values and social norms and in introducing and reinforcing certain new trends in the
lives of the lives of the social science students.
Roper (1975) as quoted by Mark (1982) in his research concluded that people usually got most of
the news about what is going on in the world from T.V when Roper’s organization asked a
33
national cross-section about this in 1974, 65 percent replied T.V and only 47 percent said
newspapers.
Laila (1967) conducted a research on the “exposure to mass media as a factor in changing
attitude of Ismaili women towards Family Planning”. The hypothesis of the study was derived
from the Lerner’s theory of “modernization”. The hypothesis was “the more a person is exposed
to mass media, the more one has favorable attitude towards family planning”. The universe
consisted of all the married women of Ismaili community residing in Lahore. A sample of 50
was drawn through random sampling. Interview schedule was used as a tool of data collection.
The main hypothesis was upheld as the co-efficient of correlation came out to be +.216 which
was significant at .05 level of significance. So the mass media was positively related to the
favorable attitude towards family planning.
The study conducted by Daheem, Misbah and Atif (2007), research of “impact of political
communication through electronic media on party loyalty”. For the conduction of the present
research, the researchers chose Pakistan People’s Party that the division or categorization
amongst this party has been seen to a much lower extent as compared to other contemporary
political parties. Researchers also observed that the element of loyalty exists much more in PPP
as compared with other parties of its own level.
Aleena, Mahurhk and Rana (2006) conducted the research “Level of interest in T.V programs
channels and its impact on personal aspiration of youth”. For the conducted research, the greater
the level of interest in TV programs, the greater will be the impact on personal aspiration of the
students. Further, to find out the relationship, if any, between the level of interest in TV
programs and its impact on personal aspiration.
In 1982 Mr. Mark R. Levy from University of Marland gave a book review in American Journal
of Sociology. The book was “Television and Human Behavior” by George Comstock.
Mark R. Levy (1978) wrote that understanding of effects of T.V on human behavior is one of the
most difficult but also one of the most important problems facing the social science community
today. While many scholars and commentators have views about the “Tubes” impact
comparatively few have been able to demonstrate its effects in a scientifically acceptable fashion.
In the chapter titled “Living with T.V” the authors presented a quick but through discussion of
the place of T.V in the daily life of the audience what else people do when they watch T.V in
total leisure time and the way it displaces, other activities. Also consider in another chapter, are
T.V as a learning experience T.V as an agent of socialization and T.V’s pro-social impact. In
short “T.V and human behavior” represents in a nature summing up of our knowledge about
mass communication.
Journal named as “Efficacy and Participation” by John C. Pierce wrote about the relationship of
efficacy with participation and socialization. He wrote that the sense of efficacy is a major
stimulus to political participation. Certainly much of the relationship between efficacy and
participation stems from the socialization process, in which both are taught as the democratic
ideals. He defined political efficacy in his own words “A sense of political efficacy is a feeling
that a person can influence political outcomes through his participation, in a large frame, it is one
34
of the sources of citizen support for the maintenance of a political system.” He analyzed that
political efficacy around three major topics:
1) Examination of an individual’s sense of political efficacy is important because efficacy is

associated with political participation, the acquisitions of political information and the
discussion of the political issues.
2) A sense of political efficacy is the part of the individual, general psychological
orientation to his environment and cannot be separated from other elements of that
orientation.
3) The social characteristics of the individual and the “Social Milieu” within which operates
seem to affect his sense of political efficacy. Those individuals with higher social and
economic status view themselves as more effective in political matters.
Research Design
The main purpose of this research is to find out relationship between role of News Talk Shows
and political efficacy. Following are the objectives of the research:
• To find out the influence of news talk shows in creating political efficacy among Punjab
University Students
• To measure the level of political efficacy based on political information, political
awareness, and political participation among educated youth
The research methods in the present study are both quantitative and qualitative, because the
questionnaire comprised of close ended questions and open ended questions. The universe of the
present research is Punjab University Students. The research selected the 120 respondents from
this university aged between 18-25 years.
Finding of the Study
The researcher has given a comprehensive overview of the sample characteristics and
interpretation of them, the distribution of the responses of the educated youth about news talk
shows and political efficacy. Table 1 shown below elicits that how many respondents believe
news talk shows as source of awareness about political affairs. 58 percent, majority of the
respondents believe that they get awareness about political affairs through news talk shows, 19
percent of the respondents reported their agreement to the fact that news talk shows are
improving political awareness. 10 percent remained neutral and only 8 percent of the respondents
strongly disagreed with the notion that talk shows are improving political. This analysis indicates
that majority of the respondents consider that news talk shows are improving knowledge and
awareness about political affairs.
35
Table 1: Importance of News Talk Shows is improving awareness about Political Affairs in
Respondents
Opinion Frequency Percent Cumulative
Percent
Strongly Disagree 10 8.3 8.3
Disagree 6 5.0 13.3
Neutral 12 10.0 23.3
Agree 69 57.5 80.8
Strongly Agree 23 19.2 100.0
Total 120 100.0
About the importance of News Talk Shows and whether these can be helpful in changing the
political structure, figure 1 is presented below. This figure indicates that majority of the
respondents, 41 percent of the respondents agree that news talk shows are playing the role in
changing Political Structure (Political structure consists of Election Procedures, Rules and
Regulations related to politics and institutions like National & Provincial Assemblies and
Senate). Other 24 percent of the respondents disagreed that news talk shows are playing role in
Political Structure because they believe that there is no role of news talk shows with respect of
changing the political structure.
Figure 1 Respondents’ view about the importance of News Talk Shows can be Helpful in changing the Political Structure:
Table 2 represents the information about those who believe that they have ability to select
government of their own choice. Majority, 41 percent of the respondents reported that their view
is neutral whereas 28 percent of the respondents disagreed about ability to select government of
one’s own choice and only 16 percent agreed with the fact that they have the ability to select
36
government of their own choice. This indicates that majority of the respondents do not believe
that they can select a government of their choice.
Table 3: Respondents who believe on their ability to select government of their own choice
Categories Frequency Percent Cumulative
Percent
Missing 4 3.3 3.3
Strongly Disagree 13 10.8 11.2
Disagree 34 28.3 40.5
Neutral 49 40.8 82.8
Agree 19 15.8 99.1
Strongly Agree 1 .8 100.0
Total 120 100.0
Figure 2 indicates the information about the respondent’s awareness about their political rights
that how many of them have awareness for their political rights. It indicates that only 15 percent
of respondents are those who have awareness about their political rights and majority 64 percent
of is not aware about their political rights. This analysis shows that majority of has no awareness
about political rights and they do not know that “Right to Vote” is a political rights.
Figure 2: Respondents awareness about their Political Rights
About the views of the respondents about the present situation of the country that how they feel
for this situation of the country, figure 3 is presented below. 49 percent of the respondents feel
sad about present situation of the country, 40 percent not feel satisfied, 8 percent of the
respondents feel satisfactory and 2 percent feel good and one respondent out of 120 had no
37
answer about present situation of the country. This analysis indicates that majority of the
respondents are disappointed with the present situation of the government.
Figure 3: Opinion of the respondents on the present situation of the country
Figure 4 highlights opinion of respondents that how they perceive whether the government is
playing its role effectively or not. There is only 2 percent of the respondents reported that
government is playing effective role, 2 percent strongly agreed, 53 percent strongly disagreed, 10
percent of the respondents remained neutral and one of the respondents did not answer because
current situation of Pakistan is very bad.
Figure 4: Respondents’ view on whether the present government is playing its role effectively
Conclusion
The present study was exploratory study in which main objectives were to access whether news
talk shows are enhancing the level of political efficacy among educated youth, political
participation, awareness level of youth for politics and their views and opinions about politics
and other political bodies. Concluded points of the present study are as follow:
38
1. Respondents who watch news talk shows have great level of political knowledge,
knowledge about different organs of government and structure of Pakistan’s political
system than those respondents who do not watch.
2. Analysis showed that news talk shows are increasing the political awareness and political
socialization of the viewers.
3. Most of the respondents have political awareness about news talk shows but yet they do
not participate in politics except few of them.
4. Some respondents have no awareness about their political rights; they do not know their
rights and how they can use them. There is a very low percentage of youth who have
awareness about their political rights.
5. Gender difference is very important because female participation is very low in voting,
election campaign and student politics than the participation of males and those
individuals who are involved in political activities are males.
6. Female students are less interested in politics as compared to male students.
7. There is very low participation of youth in political activities, because most of the youth
is not interest in politics and have low political efficacy, the reason for this is that
educated youth have no trust and faith in political bodies and they do not trust the
political system as well.
8. There is a very low voter turnout by youth because majority of the youth have no trust in
voting process and politicians and that is why most of the youth do not like to cast a vote,
they consider it as a useless activity because in their opinion voting process and elections
are not transparent.
9. Most of the respondents have apathetic behavior towards politics and political system of
Pakistan; there are many reasons for this behavior such as; lack of democracy,
illegitimate use of authority, corruption, by politicians and also unnecessary influence of
army in political system of Pakistan.
10. Majority of the respondents consider that the present government is not playing its role
effectively.
11. Educated youth can bring the rapid change in the political culture and system of Pakistan
because they have more knowledge, ideas and better suggestions to control the present
political situation.
12. Respondents reported that news talk shows are a source of spreading the confusion and
frustration among people because due to news talk shows viewers are losing their ability
to think and analyze the things, they are getting influenced and believing whatever news
talk shows are representing.
Recommendations
1. News talk shows are portrait the true and neutral picture of situation and also highlight
the issues which are the need of time instead of creating myths and disturbance.
39
2. The anchors of the news talk shows should present a clear and unbiased on political
issues.
3. Anchors should be transparent and organize show and avoid to negative criticism and
also don’t need to repeat the issues again & again.
4. News talk shows are providing platform to exchange your views about politics and they
also show the facts behind a political issue under discussion.
5. News talk shows should expose more common and current problems and their possible
solutions towards high-posted people.
6. News talk shows should draw result from the discussions and take practical measures to
eradicate the problems found in our political system.
7. Instead of concluding the news talk shows as an entertaining battle between two political
leaders without reaching to any meaningful results.
8. News talk shows should increase the political awareness of youth structure and
authorities.
9. Government should make it sure that the elections and voting process are fair and free,
this can increase the political participation of youth.
10. Change is needed in the current voting procedure, political system and in the process of
implementation of policies. In our country lots of policies are made but they are not
implementation.
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42
Problems Faced by Infertile Couples in their Social Adjustment

Saira Siddiqui
Lecturer
Government College University, Faisalabad
Fariha Tabbasum
Government College University, Faisalabad
ABSTRACT
The following study is an investigation made to find out causes of infertility and its socio-psychological effects upon
infertile couples living in Faisalabad. Infertility is one of the reported causes of conflict, marital dispute and spousal
violence among infertile couples in Pakistani society. The objectives of the study were, i) to study the socio-
economic characteristics of the respondents; 2) to find out the psychological effects of infertility upon infertile
couple; 3) to find out the problems of infertile couples in social adjustment; 4) to draw conclusions and suggest
some valuable measures to cope with these problems. By adopting case study method, three infertile couples were
interviewed. They were indentified through treatment centers located in Faisalabad. Respondents perceived drugs,
obesity, psychological stress and social isolation as the causes of infertility. Further they believed that infertility is
one of the major causes of anxiety, depression, lower self esteem, spousal and domestic violence and loneliness.
Keywords: Infertility, social adjustment, distress
Introduction
Being a parent is a normative assumption of adult life in any society (Burns, 1999). Infertility
primarily refers to the biological inability of becoming parent and to the state of a woman who is
unable to carry a pregnancy to full term (Makar & Toth, 2002). Most couples who experience
infertility consider it as a major crisis. Due to infertility, they have to pass through a chain of
emotional changes (Crick, Casas, & Mosher, 1997). Infertility can cause depression, anxiety,
social isolation and sexual dysfunction (Leiblum, 1997).
WHO (2002) reported that the inability to conceive children is experienced by individuals and
couples as a stressful and often heartbreaking situation. As a medical issue, impaired fertility
affects approximately 80 million people from all parts of the world. Although the rates of
infertility vary throughout the world (ranging from less than 5% to over 30%), it is estimated that
approximately one in ten couples have either primary or secondary infertility. It is also one of the
major reproductive health problems in Pakistan with a prevalence of nearly 22 percent (UNFA,
2003).
Men and women are affected by infertility in different ways (Domar and Seibel, 1997). Women
in infertile couples often protect their husbands from their own pain and feelings of failure by
taking much of the responsibility for the treatments upon themselves. When it is suggested that
men accompany their wives for appointments, couples get concerned about issues like income
43
loss, use of time, etc. While these concerns are usually relevant and important, they also serve
the purpose of protecting husbands from their own responsibility in the conception process and
from their own feelings, which could easily be intensified by so much contact with the medical
process. Men are traditionally seen as the financial providers of the relationship and are
responsible for protecting the family from real or imagined dangers. Men usually feel more
threatened expressing themselves since they have often been conditioned to repress their
emotions (Peterson et al., 2006).
Throsby et al. (2004) stated that men can experience considerable distress when faced with
infertility, and that this distress (with regard to self-image, social stigma, etc) is likely greater in
men with male-factor infertility than men with unexplained or female-factor infertility.
Baram et al. (1988) stated that it is not surprising that infertile individuals may feel quite alone
with their experiences. Yet many health providers and mental health clinicians underestimate the
negative psychological impact of infertility. One of the most difficult aspects that infertile
women describe is the difficulty in social settings, such as dealing with feelings of jealousy and
envy when learning of other women's pregnancies or being in the presence with others who have
infants. Some women may hide their distress from health providers because they are self-
conscious, afraid of being criticized, or fear being thought of as crazy. It has been reported that
as many as 13% of women experience passive suicidal ideation after an unsuccessful IVF
attempt.
Braun (2006) discussed the emotional aspects of infertility. It was found that the most people
simply take it for granted that they will be able to have children. In fact, one in six couples trying
to have a baby will experience problems in doing so. Infertility was often described as a life
crisis, creating upheavals similar to those associated with a death in the family or divorce. People
were often shocked when they discovered that they were infertile and commonly go through a
period of disbelief. Others rush into treatment without first coming to terms with the diagnosis.
The overall impact of infertility on individuals differs greatly, and is influenced by factors such
as cultural background and the importance a person places on having children in their life. The
following research study was designed to see the perceived causes of infertility and its socio-
psychological effects upon the lives of infertile couples living in Faisalabad.
Research Methodology
This research was conducted in Faisalabad, the third largest metropolis in Pakistan. The purpose
of choosing this district is the reported number of cases of infertile couples in various hospitals
of Punjab. The universe of this study consisted of the twenty-five treatment centers of
Faisalabad. These centers were selected randomly for data collection. These were Shafi Medical
Centre, Friends Baby Centre in Jinnah Colony, and Aziz Clinic in People’s Colony. The
researcher used Case Study Method and interviewed three infertile couples.
Case Study Method is regarded as a kind of qualitative analysis. It is looked upon as a non-
statistical technique. It is a way of organizing social data, so as to preserve the unitary character
of the object being studied. Cases are presented below.
Case No.1
44
Zulifqar was 48 years old and his wife Kalsoom was 42. They lived in Medina Town Faisalabad
in an extended family system. Zulfiqar’s education was F.A and his wife’s education matric.
Zulifqar was a business man, with monthly income above Rs. 25000. They felt a lot of stress
being an infertile couple. Their type of infertility was Non Idiopathic. Non Idiopathic infertility
is a cause of infertility in which a male and female know about the reason of their infertility.
Kalsom got pregnant once but due to some interior problem she had an abortion. Zulfiqar used
herbal remedies and the couple said they believed that drugs were the cause of infertility in men
and women. The couple was happy and the husband did not think of a second marriage to have
children. Their family also supported them and they felt social burden only due to infertility.
Infertility did not affect the social environment of their family. They added that “life is
incomplete without a baby”. They faced a problem in their in-laws (“when will I become a
grand-mother?”). They were not in favor of adopting a baby. In their case they said that female
faced more problems in any type of adjustment than men. They agreed that due to infertility a
person loses his self esteem, relationships and health. They strongly agreed that an infertile
person faced many problems regarding their security in family and society.
Case No. 2
Anwar and Sugra were married and both were 45 years of age. They lived in Gulfishan colony in
Faisalabad in extended family system with no child. Anwar’s education was B.A and his wife’s
education was intermediate. Anwar was a government servant and his wife was a house wife.
Their monthly income was Rs 25000. Both were living in a home and were first happy. But their
family members created a lot of tension and for that both husband and wife faced a lot of
problems. They had faced violence in their family and Sugra told that her husband wanted to get
married again. There was no family support. The couple faced a lot of social burden due to
infertility. Infertility affected social environment of their family. When asked a question they
replied that they felt stress being an infertile couple and were depressed because of that. They
thought that depression also was a cause of infertility. Their type of infertility was Idiopathic
(non-explained). Sugra replied that she had not conceived even once. They agreed that obesity,
alcohol and heroin was a cause of infertility, and disagreed that HIV, age and less weight was a
cause of infertility. They had no opinion on cocaine and over exercising. They also adopted a
baby. In their case they said that female was facing more problems in any type of social
adjustment. They believed that an infertile couple loses their relation, status, and health. They
also faced these problems in their social adjustment. In their case they had faced problems
regarding their security.
Case No. 3
Mehmood was 40 years old and his wife Rehana 30 years. They lived in Nayyab Colony in
Faisalabad. They were living in nuclear family system and had no child. His education was
matric and his wife’s education was intermediate. Mehmood was doing a private job and his wife
Rehana was a housewife. Both were living in their own home and their behavior with each other
was good. The family members were also good to them. They told that they were very stressed
out. They also answered that social isolation was also cause of infertility. Their type of infertility
was Idiopathic (non-explained). Rehana never conceived even once. Both were having medical
treatment. Mehmood was using prescription drugs and both said that the use of drugs was not the
cause of infertility in men and women. Their family was supportive of them. They did not want
to adopt a baby. They said that female was facing more problems in any type of adjustment.
45
CONCLUSION
The above discussed cases show that infertility has various social consequences for infertile
couples living in Faisalabad. To them, infertility is the main cause of social isolation, depression,
anxiety, lower self esteem and domestic violence. The life quality of infertile couple is quite
different from others as they have to face family and societal reactions who considered infertility
as social stigma.
References
Baram D, Tourtelot E, and Muechler E. (1988). Psychological adjustment following unsuccessful
in vitro fertilization. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol, 9(8), 181–190.
Braun, K. (2006). Emotional Aspects of Infertility. Retrieved from

http://www.womhealth.org.au.
Donkor, E.S. and Sandall, J. (2007). The Impact of Perceived Stigma and Mediating Social
Factors on Infertility-Related Stress Among Women Seeking Infertility Treatment in Southern
Ghana. Social Science & Med, 65(8):1683–1694
Leiblum, S.R. and Greenfield, D.A. (1997). The course of infertility: immediate and long-term
reactions. In Leiblum, S. (ed.) Infertility: Psychological Issues and Counseling Strategies. John
Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 83–102.
Maker, RS. and Toth, TL. (2002). The Evaluation of Infertility. American Journal of Clinical
Pathology. 117, 95–103.
Peterson, B.D., Newton, B.D., Rosen, K.H. and Skaggs, G.E. (2006). Gender Differences in How
Men and Women Who are referred for IVF Cope with Infertility Stress, Human Reproduction,
21:2443-2449.
Domar, A & SEIBLE, S. (1997). Emotional Aspects of Infertility. In M. Seibel (Ed.). Infertility:
A Comprehensive Text. (pp. 29–44). East Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange
Throsby, K. and GILL, R. (2004). It’s Different for Men: Masculinity and IVF. Men and
Masculinities, 6(4), 330–338.
World Health Organization (2002). Current Practices and Controversies in Assisted Production.
Geneva: Switzerland.
46
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Perception of sexual Harassment at workplace,

Article · January 2013

Qaisar Khalid Mahmood

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Copyrights © Sociological Association of Pakistan (SAP)

Sociological Association of Pakistan (SAP)

Dr. RAZA ULLAH

Dr. KHIZRA ASLAM

Dr. ZAHIRA BATOOL

Dr. MUHAMMAD ZAMAN

Prison Reforms and Situation of Prisons in Pakistan ............................................................... 1

Violence against Women in Pakistan: Role of Police and Media ........................................... 13

Perception of Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Knowledge and Attitude of Working

Women towards Workplace Harassment Act 2010................................................................. 22

Role of News Talk Shows in Creating Political Efficacy among Youth................................. 30

Problems Faced by Infertile Couples in their Social Adjustment .......................................... 43

Prison Reforms and Situation of Prisons in Pakistan

Prison as a place of punishment after conviction, is an 18th century invention. This is a

Legislation on Prisons during British Rule in India

Historical survey of Prison Reforms in Pakistan

• Jail Reforms Conference under Prison Division, Government of Pakistan in 1972

• Special Committee on Prison Administration headed by Mr. Muhammad Hayatullah Khan

Objectives of the Modernized Prison (6 Cs)

1. Custody: Keeping inmates in safe place of confinement to the satisfaction of court

Functions of the Modernized Prison

• Execute the sentence awarded by the Court

• Maintenance, Care, Custody and transfer of prisoners

• Maintenance of orders and discipline amongst the prisoners

• Control of expenditure relating to prison management

• Organizing of recreational programmes, welfare measures and psychological counseling of

Administrative System of Prison in Pakistan

Present Condition of Jails in Pakistan

Table1 Province-wise prison population and authorized capacity

Sr. Name of No. of Authorize Prison

1. Punjab 32 21527 52318

2. Sindh 22 10285 14422

3. Khyber 23 7982 7549

4. Baluchistan 11 2173 2946

5. Azad Kashmir 06 530 663

6. Gilgit Baltistan 05 173 430

Total 99 42670 78328

(Source: National Academy for Prison Administration)

Committee asked the Provincial Governments to strengthen the Provincial Directorates

Violence against Women in Pakistan: Role of Police and Media

This study aims the following objectives:

1) To look at the society with feminist perspective

2) To identify obstacles faced by women in this patriarchal society

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of the months of June and July, 2010

Category Cases of June Cases of July Ratio

Rape 108 56 1.92 : 1

Honor Killing 75 24 3.12 : 1

Domestic Violence 81 81 1:1

Sexual Harassment 19 7 2.71 : 1

Total 305 174 1.75: 1

(Source: 13, 8 Urdu+ 5 English, daily newspapers of Pakistan)

Perception of Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Knowledge and

Defining Sexual Harassment at Workplace

Table 1: Indicators of sexual harassment at workplace

1 Physical Touching, leering or ogling, homophobic comments, whistling

2 Nonverbal Unwanted emails, unwanted messages on cell phone ,

3 Psychological Rejection of the work on the basis of gender, unnecessary meetings to

Usage of authority in demanding sexual favor