Papers by Muhammad Ali Awan
Child marriages and early age pregnancy are an alarming issue among adolescent girls and young fe... more Child marriages and early age pregnancy are an alarming issue among adolescent girls and young females in South Asian region. This research was carried out to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards child marriages and early age pregnancies. For this purpose an exploratory research design was employed and data was gathered through using qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The research found that the respondents were lacking authentic knowledge about sexual and reproductive health rights. Most of the respondents were having access to public and private health service providers and this channel can be a source for the quality information about sexual and reproduce health and rights. An integrated approach through combing all the channels and stakeholders of the society can be vital for the desired social change to counter child marriages and early age pregnancies.
The marginalization of the hijra identity in postcolonial Pakistan perpetuates the inequalities t... more The marginalization of the hijra identity in postcolonial Pakistan perpetuates the inequalities that have dogged the transgender community since the colonial era. Although Pakistan has since ratified all concerned UN treaties aimed at protecting transgender people and preventing human rights violations against them, the country’s gender-variant population nevertheless remains vulnerable to these transgressions. As such, this study aims to explore the following inquiry: “What are the lifeways of the hijra community and how do hijra people face human rights violations in their daily life activities?” The identity construction of the hijra is a complex process. Pakistan is a patriarchal society that determines gender based on biological sex. While a genitally ambiguous child is generally recognized as intersexed, the family usually obscures this circumstance or tries to enforce a predominantly male identity onto the child. To some degree, an intersexed child is allowed to perform femin...
Objective: To report the uptake, satisfaction, and quality of family planning services in the cli... more Objective: To report the uptake, satisfaction, and quality of family planning services in the clients of a private sector organisation during Covid-19 in Pakistan and compare it with the situation before Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This paper is based on the client exit interview data collected before and then after the outbreak of Covid-19, using a structured questionnaire. Clients were chosen at the exit of the social franchise (SF) clinics, situated in rural and peri-urban areas, and beneficiaries of the outreach services delivery channel in the remote rural area. Descriptive analysis was carried out in SPSS, and frequencies and percentages were computed. Results: All respondents were married women of reproductive age (MWRA) with an average age of 30 years, with either no or very low literacy levels. During the pandemic, overall utilization of the intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) declined, while the condom remained popular. Client satisfaction remained high in both service delivery channels during a pandemic. However, some results varied vis-à-vis the residence of the client. Conclusion: The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic could not undermine the FP services which is evident from the method specific changing trends and its varying effects with reference to geographical locations.
Indus Valley Civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world dating back to 7000BCE.... more Indus Valley Civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world dating back to 7000BCE. The explored sites of the civilization span present day Pakistan and India. The following paper explore the Indus Valley Civilization through the sites in Pakistan. The paper highlights feature of various stages of the Indus Valley, for example, Early Food Producing Era (7000-4000 BCE), Regionalization Era-Early Harappan Era (4000-2600 BCE), Integration Era (Early Harappan Phase) (2600-1900), Localization Era (Late Harappan Phase) (1900-1300), and Indus Valley from 1300 BCE to Present. In doing so, the paper discusses the geography, environment, material culture, subsistence patterns, political and social organization of each era. Finally, it explores the various theories of decline of Indus Valley Civilization, drawing on various sources. In the conclusion, the paper provides recommendations for future focus on the archaeological sites in Pakistan enhance our understanding of the civilizations.
Pakistan is said to be at the brink of being a water-scarce country current per capita water avai... more Pakistan is said to be at the brink of being a water-scarce country current per capita water availability is 1090 m3 per year. This point to the water governance issues in Pakistan. Given these problems, a debate among scholars and policymakers is what governance model should Pakistan adopt to manage its water resources effectively. A few of them are a proponent of privatization of water, while others argue that traditional warabandi can still be an effective way to manage the water if certain loopholes in the system can be addressed. In this paper, we discuss both models and analysis with institutional theories of (water) property rights and relations, state authority, and neoliberalism to analyze the pros and cons of both models. In conclusion, we enlist the problems that persist in both models and provide recommendations for better governance of water in Pakistan.
The usage of various media methods in distance education shows its historical development path. I... more The usage of various media methods in distance education shows its historical development path. It is said that AIOU has been using radio and television broadcasts, special textbooks and reading materials for distance education. To assess the level of technology usage and its role in AIOU model, Non-Random, Purposive Sampling, technique was used to choose the sample of 54 respondents. The data was collected on a semistructured interview schedule. It was found that AIOU tries to align its pace with the emerging challenges through utilization of the technologies in the distance education. However, same time, they do not have desired capacity and ultimately the role of university administration to develop desired and due capacity is not up to the mark. Resultant, teaching staff is not effective and facing issue to contribute efficiently and effectively in the use of technology for distance education at AIOU. Similarly, this research also determined the future perspective of the administrative and teaching staff. So, there is provision and willingness from the concerned staff to bring use of mobile app, video games and virtual class rooms to enhance the scope of distance education and improve the role of AIOU in wider coverage.
The history of Pakistan-India relations is full of conflicts ever since the partition of the sub-... more The history of Pakistan-India relations is full of conflicts ever since the partition of the sub-continent in 1947 and is much evident with respect to major and minor wars together with border skirmishes as a routine job. The rivalry between the two nation-states is generally studied in the context of realism. However, this research aimed to study the role of social institutions in the formation of identities resulting in hostile relations between the two nationstates. The research has undergone a thorough analysis of social institutions considered influential in any society with respect to identity formation. The study found that social institutions of education, media, religion, and politics have played a significant role in the construction of interstate hostile identities. It is found that utilization of ideas, and norms practiced in social institutions, has constructed the identities that resulted in hostile behavioral patterns in the masses of two South Asian nation-states.
This paper is an attempt to document life of male sex workers as transgender in Pakistan and to d... more This paper is an attempt to document life of male sex workers as transgender in Pakistan and to describe their cultural practices with reference to ritual performs on different occasion. Qualitative research methods combing in-depth interviews , FGDs, and observation were employed to gather information. An effort has been made to investigate the cultural life of the transgender and the pattern of their social interaction within the community as well as with the outsiders. Analysis based on thematic description of the themes generated after reviewing data. The research process revealed that males who were engaged in the sex industry have two types of sociological division: first, young and having male identity with potential to transform in transgender; while other transgender plays dual roles: a) within sex worker community as transgender women, b) male outside the transgender community. These males fulfill their socio-psychological and economic needs through entrance in the transgender community. Most of them consider themselves as having feminine soul and masculine body. The male engaging in sex work is a complex phenomenon with reference to their identity and performance of cultural rituals. An exploratory research study needs to be conducted to unfold the notion of dual identity which male sex workers have.
Professor Modern Indology,
This paper is an attempt to document life of male sex workers as transgender in Pakistan and to d... more This paper is an attempt to document life of male sex workers as transgender in Pakistan and to describe their cultural practices with reference to ritual performs on different occasion. Qualitative research methods combing in-depth interviews, FGDs, and observation were employed to gather information. An effort has been made to investigate the cultural life of the transgender and the pattern of their social interaction within the community as well as with the outsiders. Analysis based on thematic description of the themes generated after reviewing data. The research process revealed that males who were engaged in the sex industry have two types of sociological division: first, young and having male identity with potential to transform in transgender; while other transgender plays dual roles: a) within sex worker community as transgender women, b) male outside the transgender community. These males fulfill their socio-psychological and economic needs through entrance in the transgender community. Most of them consider themselves as having feminine soul and masculine body. The male engaging in sex work is a complex phenomenon with reference to their identity and performance of cultural rituals. An exploratory research study needs to be conducted to unfold the notion of dual identity which male sex workers have.
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Papers by Muhammad Ali Awan