In Social Policy for Women in Pakistan, Sara Rizvi Jafree analyses challenges Pakistani women face in aspects of their lives from family, housing and food security to education, employment and health. Drawing on survey data and qualitative interviews to make strategic policy recommendations, Rizvi Jafree’s book shows why gender equality must be prioritised to increase social inclusion, quality of life and economic growth, writes Syeda Sakina Riaz.
Social Policy for Women in Pakistan. Sara Rizvi Jafree. Palgrave Macmillan. 2023
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Sara Rizvi Jafree’s groundbreaking work, Social Policy for Women in Pakistan, expands the traditional purview of social policy beyond the realms of state and economy. It crafts a multifaceted discourse that encompasses not only the state and the economy but also the often-overlooked domain of the family. The book is structured into eleven chapters which deftly traverse theoretical perspectives, a broad spectrum of disciplinary approaches, and pressing policy concerns. These concerns span from education and healthcare to economic equity and the environment, offering historical context to employment and family policies. The author scrutinises the formation and execution of contemporary policies while uncovering the critical silences within Pakistani public policy discourse.
The chapters provide an incisive analysis of the prevailing conditions faced by women in Pakistan, bolstered by the latest secondary data drawn from nationally representative surveys.
The chapters provide an incisive analysis of the prevailing conditions faced by women in Pakistan, bolstered by the latest secondary data drawn from nationally representative surveys. This data is stratified across socio-demographic parameters such as regional and provincial affiliations, literacy levels, occupational profiles, and wealth statuses. This approach ensures representation of the diverse realities experienced by different groups of women. In addition to secondary data, the author incorporates primary data gathered through qualitative interviews and presented as case studies spanning the eleven chapters. These case studies prove instrumental in identifying protection gaps and elucidating the nuanced life circumstances of women in Pakistan. Rizvi Jafree supplements her findings with pertinent policy recommendations grounded in the actual challenges confronting women, endowed with the advantage of regional contextuality.
Rizvi Jafree delineates the patriarchal obstacles to social protection for women
The first chapter, provocatively titled “Protection and Patriarchy: Can They Coexist?” dissects the conundrum of effecting change within the existing system or opting for a complete system overhaul. Rizvi Jafree delineates the patriarchal obstacles to social protection for women and locates women’s issues within the broader context of Pakistan through a thorough review of the relevant literature.
Chapter two delivers a comprehensive exposition on the extant social protection services in Pakistan. It offers a meticulous exploration of these services (23 to 25). Rizvi Jafree rigorously analyses the political conditions underpinning Pakistan’s democracy and its entrenched patriarchal political culture. This examination leads to a critical appraisal of government welfare programs in its Poverty Reduction Strategy such as the Benazir Income Support Program (on social protection for women). The chapter also sheds light on state initiatives and programmes targeting vulnerable population segments. It presents a compelling case study on the ineligibility for cash transfers, an issue faced by individuals experiencing extreme poverty and food insecurity. The author further investigates the challenges confronted by non-beneficiaries of cash transfer programs, such as women working in the informal economy and women who do not meet the proxy means testing system eligibility criterion.
Food insecurity and homelessness […] has contributed to a surge in violence and harassment experienced by homeless women and girls.
Chapter three delves into the status of women within the family and their relationship with family dynamics, housing and social policy. Rizvi Jafree articulates the quest for gender equality within Pakistani families, including a discerning discussion on the minimum legal age for female marriage. Within the housing context, she navigates issues stemming from the shortage of housing and not only delves into the causes of housing destruction resulting from natural disasters and flooding but also illuminates the intertwined impact of food insecurity and homelessness. This complex interplay has contributed to a surge in violence and harassment experienced by homeless women and girls. The chapter provides a wealth of statistical data pertaining to marital statuses of women, property ownership and land deeds in Pakistan, revealing that most women in the country do not own property. It is important to mention here that the Household Integrated Survey lacks pertinent details concerning women’s familial composition and marital status. Notably, it omits statistics pertaining to marital dissolution or separation and indicators of marital strain, such as polygamy by husbands, geographical separation, or women not receiving economic sustenance from their spouses. The author astutely contends that this deficiency complicates the identification of distinct female cohorts requiring policy assistance, including those who are single, widowed, divorced, and are the sole providers for their child(ren).
A case study detailing the housing and living conditions of a woman from rural Sindh further enriches the chapter, followed by a discussion on the state’s limitations and housing provision for elite groups. The chapter concludes with a set of eighteen pragmatic recommendations for family and housing policies geared toward the welfare of women in Pakistan, including basic income and nutrition for education of girl-child, and tax credits for families with daughter(s).
Rizvi Jafree navigates issues concerning women’s employment in the informal and agricultural sectors, delving into the complex policy landscape of income, employment, care and family policies.
Chapter four examines the issues surrounding food security, nutrition, and the profound inequalities between men and women in Pakistan. Rizvi Jafree navigates issues concerning women’s employment in the informal and agricultural sectors, delving into the complex policy landscape of income, employment, care and family policies. The chapter incorporates descriptive statistics illustrating the prevalence of underweight women in Pakistan and their healthcare-seeking behaviours, followed by a compelling case study. It culminates with a comprehensive summary of the prevailing challenges faced by women in Pakistan concerning food security and nutritional well-being, making it an essential read for scholars and policymakers alike.
The subsequent chapters continue to explore critical and less considered areas such as environmental challenges, disaster risk, literacy, skill development, employment, and healthcare. Rizvi Jafree employs both primary and secondary data to illuminate the multifaceted challenges that women encounter in these areas, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities faced by women. Each of these chapters underscores the necessity of strategic policy interventions and recommends regionally appropriate social protection for females.
Chapters nine and ten demonstrate the importance of meticulous planning for pilot projects and collaborative efforts within South Asia to bolster social protection for women. These chapters demonstrate Rizvi Jafree’s commitment to extensive literature review and offer valuable insights for policymakers on taking social policy forward in the country in a rational and strategic manner.
[The book] not only explores the role of social policy but also exposes the diversity and missing links within women’s struggles
The final chapter, titled “Sustainable Comprehensive Social Policy for Women in Pakistan: The Way Forward with Religion, Social Media, Finances, and Governance,” delves into the role of religion in endorsing social policy for women. Rizvi Jafree introduces various strategies aimed at securing sustainable and comprehensive social policies, underlining her forward-thinking approach, with the most important being the role of local governance and efforts for financial sustainability.
The book makes a thorough assessment of the myriad challenges Pakistani women encounter in their daily life. It not only explores the role of social policy but also exposes the diversity and missing links within women’s struggles. Rizvi Jafree’s contribution is marked by its rich analysis of Pakistan’s history, culture, and economic landscape, offering an incisive examination of gender and social policy on both regional and national scales. The inclusion of relevant case studies and qualitative narratives from women in Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, and Sindh provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs faced by women.
This timely work represents a significant contribution to the study of gender equality as a central facet of social policy and economic growth.
This timely work represents a significant contribution to the study of gender equality as a central facet of social policy and economic growth. While the bibliography is adequate, the addition of detailed supplementary information or substantial endnotes/footnotes related to social welfare legislation and government progress on these issues could have enriched readers’ understanding of the subject matter. Nevertheless, this book is an invaluable resource for advanced students, postgraduate students, and scholars in fields such as social work, sociology, political science, women’s studies, public administration, and policy studies. It also holds immense relevance for policymakers, social activists, and social work practitioners. Those seeking up-to-date insights into how gender shapes the contours of social policy and politics will find this book indispensable.
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