CHILD BEGGARS IN KARACHI

Article By:     Salma Bano

                        BS (final) year

                       Women’s studies

                       University of Karachi 

Pakistan is facing street begging at an alarming ratio. The country is suffering from poverty which has caused hundreds of people to commit suicide, forced women to sell out their children and youngsters to leave their homes and start begging. Begging is now considered as an easy source of earning money. This is the reason why most of the physically fit young people are usually seen begging on the streets.

We often observed young girls and boys begging in university timing from students. Usually we observed about these beggars especially girl child beggars so how we can finish this shameful act from society.

Often they disturb people they reply them harshly and ask them to leave. They ask them the worth of two or three rupees they says these two or three rupees are much worthy for them. Due to the poverty and lack of awareness and unavailability of basic needs these young girls come out on street for begging and are harassed and exploited brutally.

Government should introduce some schemes and training through which they can establish their future living and also should be strict laws to restrict beggary especially for girls.

Donations funds should given to deserving people and also given training and skills. Jobs opportunities should provide them according to their intellect and skills. NGOs should help their families and give them guide in proper way. NGOs can play vital role if they want they can work on these issues at least, then hope there problems goes can be minimized.

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Obesity in Women

Article By:    Bilqees Bano

                      BS final year

                      Department of women studies

Obesity negatively impacts the health of women in many ways. Being overweight or obese increases the relative risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease in women. Women who are obese have a higher risk of low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. Obesity negatively affects both contraception and fertility as well. Maternal obesity is linked with higher rates of cesarean section as well as higher rates of high-risk obstetrical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Pregnancy outcomes are negatively affected by maternal obesity (increased risk of neonatal mortality and malformations). Maternal obesity is associated with a decreased intention to breastfeed, decreased initiation of breastfeeding, and decreased duration of breastfeeding. There seems to be an association between obesity and depression in women, though cultural factors may influence this association. Obese women are at higher risk for multiple cancers, including endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and perhaps ovarian cancer. The prevalence of obesity is rising. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1 billion people are overweight, with 300 million meeting the criteria for obesity.1 Twenty-six percent of no pregnant women ages 20 to 39 are overweight and 29% are obese.2

Although many social, psychological, and cultural factors likely contribute to the development of depression in obese women, one explanation argues that the stigma toward obese individuals in American society leads to low self-esteem and ultimately depression. Thus, in communities where a higher weight is acceptable, less psychological impact is observed. Another theory argues that obesity is not stressful per se, but the pressure to fit a norm and continued dieting leads to depression.

Obesity is becoming more prevalent and has wide-ranging effects on a variety of women's health issues. Clinicians should counsel all women about the broad negative effects of obesity and the importance of controlling weight to prevent negative outcomes.

                                                                    

 References

1.http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/.

2.Hedley AA, Ogden CL, Johnson CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among US children, adolescents, and adults, 1999–2002. JAMA 2004; 291: 2847–50.

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Domestic Violence

Article BY: Durr-e-Hira

                    Student of BS final year

                    Department of women studies

                    Karachi university.

Domestic violence directed against women by their intimate partners (current or former spouses) is an epidemic of global proportions that has divesting physical, emotional, financial and social effects on women, children, family and the community (1).

According to the United Nations : “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”(2).

Violence against women is a very big and serious issue increasing day by day. For example:

1.     In a high profile case in January 2007 Karachi police arrested a national sporting hero, Moin Khan, a former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, after his wife complained of being beaten by him.

2.     In Lahore, Shahina  Imran describes her marriage as happy she says that she remains busy all day with house hold chores, cooking for her  husband and two children she does not see herself as a victim of domestic violence that she says meted out to her by her husband.

3.     Ameena, a mother of two girls said that her husband had splashed acid on her face and said her husband suspected her having extra marital relations (3).

In Pakistan laws regarding violence had been made to prevent or secure women who are facing domestic violence but there is no implementation of these laws. Women who face domestic violence usually don’t have family support to fight their case in the court.

Domestic violence not only harms physical and mental health but also harm reproductive health of women. In pregnancy intimate partner violence increases the risks of miscarriages, still birth, preterm delivery. Health effects can also include headaches, back pain, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, limited mobility and poor overall health.

Children who grow up in families where there is violence may suffer a range of behavioral and emotional disturbances these can also be associated with perpetrating or experiencing violence later in life (4).

Silence around violence against women should be broken, women should be encouraged to speak about their experiences and to highlight the issue legal system of protection and shelter homes should be established to protect women who are either victims of domestic violence. To achieve lasting change it is important to enact legislation and develop policies that address discrimination against women, promote gender equality and also implementation of these laws.

References:

1.     www.stopvaw.org/domestic-violence2

2.     www.who.com/mediacenter/factsheet

3.     www.irinnews.org/report/77226/pak

            4.www.who.com/mediacenter/factsheet

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