Saturday, June 2, 2012
Surrey Public Library
Please click here for Abstract:June 2 Abstract
Please click here for the slide show:June 2, Pakistan’s Social Development by Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
Ana Komnenic, Anita Tavra, Eliana Chia and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
Event Details
Date: February 23, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (registration / networking starts at 6.30 pm)
Location: The University of British Columbia
Address: 1866 Main Mall, Buchanan Building, Block A
Room: 102
Program Details
Please click Feb 23, 2012 Revised Abstract
Please click here for the slide show divided in two part:
Part A. Reducing the Gender Gap in Muslim Societies: the Case of Pakistan
Part B. Reducing the Gender Gap in Muslim Societies: the Case of Pakistan
Paria Saremi and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
The Maria Helena Foundation
Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 7:00 pm
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
Dodson Room
1961 East Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(www.mariahelenafoundation.org)
Abstract:
Pakistan with a population of almost 190 millions is a highly patriarchal society with very low female literacy rates. This presentation focuses on a specific part of Pakistan’s population – young women and a particular phenomenon – child marriage – while taking into account various social, economic, and religious factors that come into play with such a topic. The presentation will begin by laying out some global statistics on child marriage, defined by the United Nations as marriage before the age of 18. Specifically, we will focus on the correlation between the amount of education received and the age of marriage, positing that there is a reverse relationship between the two. As such, we will examine the benefits of delaying marriage through increased years of schooling. These benefits are said to include increased personal independence, increased earning potential, better family health as well as lower fertility rates. Furthermore, the paper will take a look at the various cultural as well as socio-economical causes for child marriage worldwide, with a special focus on Pakistan. Such causes include protecting the elusive concept of ‘family honour’, getting rid of girls as financial burdens, and foregoing the ‘inconveniences’ of schooling for girls. As part of this discussion, we will briefly look at the fallacies of the oft-perceived relationship between Islamic doctrine and child brides. Finally, the presentation will look at a broad number of initiatives currently taking place in Pakistan, which seek to affect child marriage through such acts as awareness-raising and education promotion. As such, the Maria-Helena Foundation’s work which aims to increase female education by funding schools, scholarships, and vocational training will be described. Finally, we will look at the future of child marriage in Pakistan, and what different factors may affect its evolution.